Child and Adolescent ADHD Assessments
Senior Clinical Psychologist Anna Chesney provides comprehensive assessments for ADHD in children and adolescents.
Anna also completes Autism assessments for those over 14 years old.
Thinking of an ADHD Assessment for a child or adolescent
Two pathways to consider
Psychologist assessments offer a comprehensive evaluation, including school observations, making them excellent for insights and recommendations. After a psychologist assessment, you would need to see a paediatrician or psychiatrist separately for medication management. Alternatively, seeing a psychiatrist or paediatrician as a first step can be considered a more cost-effective path when needing both diagnosis and medication management in one place.
Both pathways are valid—choose based on your specific needs and circumstances.
If you decide on the psychologist pathway, you're welcome to book an appointment. I conduct a phone screening call before confirming the appointment, which gives you an opportunity to ask any questions about the process.
ADHD Assessment Process with Anna Chesney
Anna Chesney provides ADHD assessments for children (6–12 years) and adolescents (13–17 years) at Heritage Psychology, in Christchurch.
Booking and Payment
A $200 non-refundable deposit is required. This covers the phone screening call.
After booking, I will conduct a phone screening to confirm your appointment and send the remaining invoice.
The standard ADHD assessment costs $1800 (inclusive of the deposit). Payment is due two weeks before the assessment.
Once payment is received, links for consent forms and pre-assessment questionnaires will be sent.
I do not require a GP referral, but if you have one, you are welcome to send it through.
Services Available
ADHD assessments for ages 6–17 years
Standalone autism assessments for ages 14–17 years
ADOS assessments are not provided. Autism assessment includes autism-specific questionnaires and a clinical interview.
What the ADHD Assessment Includes
Online Questionnaires
Parent and Teacher-report questionnaires: These assess current ADHD symptoms.
Mental health screening: A separate questionnaire addressing broader mental health.
Ninety-Minute assessment for children, and Two-Hour Assessment for adolescents
Clinical interview: A semi-structured interview focused on ADHD symptoms.
Life history and mental health: Discussion of significant life events and current mental health.
School Observation and School Reports
School observation (for primary-aged children) and teacher interview
A review of available school reports.
Feedback Session
A 30-minute session (online or by phone) to discuss findings and next steps.
Important Notes on Diagnosis
ADHD diagnosis requires evidence of significant symptoms in childhood or early adolescence.
A completed report will be available within one week and sent to your GP.
For children/adolescents (under 18): A psychiatrist or paediatrician must be consulted for stimulant medication options.
Please note: I cannot guarantee the decisions made by GPs or psychiatrists regarding stimulant prescriptions.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or would like to book an assessment, feel free to get in touch!
FAQs
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After your child is diagnosed with ADHD, I will make recommendations for support.
If you plan to trial stimulant medication, you will need to see a paediatrician or psychiatrist. This is required for all children and adolescents in Christchurch to access stimulant medications.
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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.