Adult ADHD and Autism Assessment (AuDHD)
Specialising in adult ADHD, Autism, and AuDHD assessments. In person in Christchurch and online across New Zealand.
Senior Clinical Psychologist Anna Chesney
Anna is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience, including 10 years working within Child and Family mental health services at Canterbury District Health Board. Since moving into private practice in 2019, Anna has developed a specialist focus on adult ADHD, Autism, and AuDHD assessments, supporting clients in Christchurch and across New Zealand via videoconference.
Thinking of an Assessment
Many adults seeking an ADHD assessment also wonder whether Autism, or a combination of both — sometimes called AuDHD — might better explain their experiences. If you have been struggling with focus, organisation, relationships, or sensory overwhelm, a comprehensive assessment can help bring clarity. Whether you are exploring ADHD, Autism, or both, getting assessed can open the door to understanding yourself more fully and accessing the right support.
What is AuDHD?
AuDHD refers to the co-occurrence of Autism and ADHD in the same person. Research suggests the two conditions overlap more often than previously thought, and many adults seeking assessment for one find that both apply. Presentations can be complex — ADHD and Autism can mask or interact with each other, making a thorough assessment particularly important. Anna has experience assessing for both conditions together and can assess for ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD in a single process.
My Approach to ADHD Assessment
A thorough assessment takes time. The process below is designed to build a complete picture of your history, your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life — so that the report I produce is useful to you, your GP, and anyone else involved in your care.
Booking and Payment
A $200 non-refundable deposit is required when booking.
After booking, I will call you for a phone screening to confirm your appointment and answer any questions you have before we begin.
The full assessment costs $1800, inclusive of the deposit. Payment is due two weeks before your appointment.
I also offer standalone Autism assessments for adults, and if you are exploring both ADHD and Autism, I can assess for both in the same process for an additional $350.
No GP referral is required, though if you have one, you are welcome to send it through.
Once payment is received, I will send you links to consent forms and pre-assessment questionnaires.
What the Assessment Includes
1. Online Questionnaires
Before we meet, I ask you to complete a set of questionnaires covering your current ADHD symptoms, how those symptoms affect your daily life, and your general mental health. I also ask someone who knows you well to complete an observer-report — this outside perspective is an important part of building an accurate picture. I also gather a review of childhood symptoms through an online questionnaire completed by someone who knew you before age 12, such as a parent or sibling. If finding someone is difficult, we can discuss alternatives during the phone screening.
2. Two-Hour Assessment Session
We meet for two hours, either in person at Heritage Psychology in Christchurch or via videoconference. This is a semi-structured clinical interview where we talk through your ADHD symptoms in depth, your life history, and your current mental health.
3. Feedback Session
Within a week of your assessment — and often within just a couple of days — I will send you your completed report to read ahead of our feedback session. We then meet for 30 minutes by phone or videoconference to review the findings together, answer any questions you have, and discuss next steps. Once you are happy with the report, it is sent to your GP.
FAQs
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Regular cannabis use can interfere with the effectiveness of stimulant medications and may result in declined treatment. Reducing or ceasing substance use before the assessment is strongly recommended.
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For an ADHD diagnosis, evidence of symptoms before age 12 is essential. I typically gather this information from a family member or someone who was familiar with your childhood.
If this information is unavailable, I will work with you during the phone screening to explore alternative options. This may include input from a long-time friend, school reports, old assessments, or other relevant documentation. -
If you do not meet the criteria for ADHD, we will explore other potential explanations for your symptoms. I will provide personalised feedback and suggest next steps, which may include further assessments, therapy, or strategies to help you better manage challenges in daily life.
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While I am not affiliated with any particular insurance company, some health insurance providers may partially cover the cost of your ADHD assessment. Please check with your provider to confirm your eligibility and to understand what documentation may be required.
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I am happy to complete assessments for individuals in Christchurch at Heritage Psychology, and can complete assessments online for those in Dunedin, Wellington, Blenheim, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Auckland and other regions around New Zealand.
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The $200 nonrefundable deposit is required to schedule your appointment and covers your initial phone screening consultation.
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An AuDHD assessment looks at both ADHD and Autism together rather than in isolation. Anna assesses for both conditions in a single process, which can be more efficient and gives a more complete picture of how the conditions may be interacting in your life.
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As of February 2026, specially trained GPs and nurse practitioners in New Zealand can now diagnose ADHD and prescribe stimulant medication directly, without a referral to a psychiatrist. Many GPs are accepting a psychology assessment report as part of this process, which can make the pathway to diagnosis and treatment more straightforward. I recommend checking with your GP before booking to confirm they would accept a psychology report, as practices vary.