It is not uncommon for a neurodivergent person to meet the established diagnostic criteria for both ADHD and ASD. Establishing the presence of all relevant diagnoses increases the likelihood that a person with have access to all appropriate treatments and accommodations.
We conduct our assessments as a two-step process
1. Screening
2. Diagnostic Assessment
We offer our Combined ADHD + ASD assessment service as a two-step process as it allows us to provide a thorough initial screening without clients incurring the costs of a full evaluation if they are unlikely to meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD and/or ASD.
To proceed with any of the Combined ADHD + ASD assessment options, you will need to purchase the ADHD Screening Assessment service first.
Service Options
- Screening + Diagnostic Assessment (no medication)
The Screening Assessment is the initial step in the formal Diagnostic Assessment procedure.
Includes assessment forms, assessment appointments as needed, interviews with collateral sources and a written report that includes any appropriate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.
- Screening + Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Assessment
The Screening Assessment is the initial step in the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Assessment procedure.
We offer a Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Assessment for Combined ADHD + ASD that includes input from both a registered psychologist and psychiatrist.
If a diagnosis of ADHD is made, and you are interested in pursuing medication treatment, a special authority can be facilitated by the psychiatrist involved in the multidisciplinary assessment.
Includes screening assessment forms, an assessment interview, multidisciplinary review of results and a written report that includes any appropriate diagnoses and treatment recommendations, including a special authority for stimulant medication if it is indicated.
Medication
Our team does not prescribe stimulant medication. Instead, we write to your GP endorsing their application for Special Authority and then your GP will be responsible for initiating your medication and providing ongoing prescriptions.
Includes assessment forms, assessment appointments as needed, interviews with collateral sources and a written report that includes any appropriate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.
Assessment Process
Collecting Information
An accurate diagnosis requires careful exploration of a person's history and experiences along with the use of assessment forms that have been developed to assist with the process.
1. Screening
- Screening Assessment
Once you have paid for the screening assessment, and completed the registration form, links to the screening forms will be sent to you and the person or people you nominated to gather collateral information.
- Review of Screening Assessment
Once all the screening forms have been completed, the information submitted will be reviewed by a registered psychologist and you will be provided with feedback about whether the information that is submitted supports the pursuit of a formal diagnostic assessment.
You will receive an email from our team with instructions on the next steps to take
2. Diagnostic Assessment
- Appointment
The diagnostic assessment interview usually takes about an hour, and is used to follow up on responses from the completed screening forms and to gather additional information about the person's history and any other potential causes of the person's difficulties, including other mental health conditions.
- Diagnosis
The diagnosis of ADHD / ASD in adults is determined by the answers to four key questions:
- Does the person have symptoms and difficulties that are consistent with ADHD / ASD?
- Is there evidence that those symptoms and difficulties were present during childhood?
- Are the symptoms and difficulties associated with impairment across multiple settings?
- Is there a better explanation for the person's symptoms and difficulties? (e.g., head injury, chronic insomnia, or other acute mental health conditions).
- Diagnostic Report
After the forms are completed and the diagnostic assessment interview has taken place, a report is generated that includes any appropriate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.
- Medication
Our team does not prescribe stimulant medication. Instead, we write to your GP endorsing the application for Special Authority. Your GP will then be responsible for initiating your medication and providing ongoing prescriptions.
START ADHD + ASD ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Information for Medical Practitioners
- How to Refer to NZTN
We are currently listed on ERMS (NZ Telepsych Network).
If you are not a user of ERMS, please send any referrals to this email address and we will contact the client to start the assessment process.- The Ideal Referral
The 'ideal' referral for our service includes:
- Patient email address and phone number
- The difficulties that are thought to be attributable to ADHD / ASD
- Past medical history
- Mental health history (or lack thereof)
- Substance use history (or lack thereof)
- Diagnostic and follow-up letters, if a diagnosis of ADHD / ASD has previously been made
- Response to stimulant medication, if applicable, and the presence or absence of side effects or concerns about misuse or diversion
If we receive this information in your referral, we will be able to proceed quickly and without having to hassle your team for more information.
- Why we refer back to GPs after diagnosis
After diagnosis, clients will be referred back to their GP for application of special authority, initiating medication and providing ongoing prescriptions for several reasons:
- In-person medical evaluation: Because our service is online-only, we need GPs (or nurses) to conduct any required physical examinations.
- Cost-effectiveness: It's more affordable for clients to see their GP for prescriptions and for follow-up appointments, rather than a psychiatrist.
- Limited psychiatric resources: Due to the limited availability of psychiatrists in New Zealand, having GPs manage the special authority and ongoing care of clients enables us to utilize the psychiatrist's expertise more resourcefully. This strategic allocation of psychiatric resources enables more patients to benefit from specialist care.
- Medication prescriptions: For certain medications, like stimulants for ADHD, GPs need special authority to prescribe. This authority requires a psychiatrist's endorsement, which we provide. We then ask the GP to initiate and manage medication treatment. This process ensures clients receive comprehensive primary care support, and allows us to help more clients efficiently.
- In-person medical evaluation: Because our service is online-only, we need GPs (or nurses) to conduct any required physical examinations.