Diagnostic Clarification Assessment
We offer a Diagnostic Clarification Assessment when you know you need an assessment, but you’re not sure exactly what to ask for. Instead of focusing on one condition only, we look more widely at possible explanations and then recommend the most suitable pathway for you.
Due to the potential complexity of symptom presentation and comorbidities, this assessment is available exclusively through Pathway 1 (our two-step process). This approach allows the clinician to develop a more comprehensive understanding of your needs and provide tailored recommendations for any further diagnostic assessment.
The Diagnostic Clarification Screening is a comprehensive screening assessment which considers a number of disorders that may be contributing to your symptoms.
The information submitted will be reviewed by a registered psychologist who will provide tailored recommendations for your unique situation.
The Diagnostic Clarification Assessment is a broad and comprehensive assessment used to determine the best path forward for you.
This service ensures that all relevant factors are considered, giving you a clear and informed direction for your next steps.
Service provided by a psychologist
- This service includes:
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Written Report outlining any appropriate diagnoses and treatment recommendations
Help Me Decide
Unsure which pathway or service is right for you?
Assessment Process
1. Select Appropriate Pathway
2. Select Appropriate Service
- ADHD
- Neurodiversity (AuDHD)
- Autism (ASD)
- Diagnostic Clarification
3. Complete the Order
- Checkout Steps
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough review of a person’s history and experiences, supported by structured assessment tools designed to aid the process.
During the checkout steps, you will be asked to fill in a form with your your personal details, as well as the names and contact details of people who know you well, both now and as a child. This is referred to as collateral information and is required to proceed with our services
4. Psychometric Forms
- Collateral Information
You and your nominees will be asked to complete some psychometric forms prior to your appointment.
Why do we collect Collateral Information?
To ensure all diagnostic criteria are met, collateral support of both current and childhood symptoms is required.
The information from collateral sources is typically gathered using questionnaires that will be sent directly to the nominated person(s).
Current Symptoms
- Collateral information about your current symptoms can be provided by anyone who knows you well now.
Childhood Symptoms
- Collateral information about childhood symptoms can come from:
- Caregivers
- Parents
- Siblings
- Extended family or
- Anyone who knew you well enough to report on your symptoms during childhood (before age 12 years).
- School reports can also be helpful in documenting childhood symptoms and difficulties.
The presence of childhood symptoms is part of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
If you are unable to find a person to complete the childhood questionnaire form that we use for these assessments, you can provide school reports that document the presence of childhood difficulties that might indicate the existence of ADHD symptoms.
If this is also not possible, we may be able to proceed with the diagnostic assessment, but there is a risk that we would not be able to confirm a diagnosis without more information about your childhood difficulties.- Pathway 1: Review of Screening Assessment
Once all the psychometric forms have been completed, a registered psychologist will review the responses. You will receive feedback on whether it’s appropriate to continue with a formal diagnostic assessment.
If a diagnostic assessment is recommended, we will send you a link to purchase a diagnostic assessment from Pathway 1.
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- Pathway 2: Review of Psychometric Forms
Once all the psychometric forms have been completed, the information submitted will be reviewed by your assessor.
They will discuss the results with you during your appointment.
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5. Diagnostic Assessment
- Pathway 1: Appointment
We can offer appointments within 1-2 weeks after the psychometric forms have been completed and reviewed.
The online appointment, which usually takes about an hour, is used to follow up on responses from the completed 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.
- Pathway 2: Appointment
Clients are able to schedule their appointments at least two weeks in advance to allow enough time to complete the required psychometric forms before your session.
The online appointment, which usually takes about an hour, is used to follow up on responses from the completed 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
Mental health professionals use a combination of observed, reported, and self-reported symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that the diagnosis considers not only the individual's own experiences but also how their condition appears to others and shows up in their daily life.
- Diagnostic Report
After the assessment is completed, a written report will be provided that will summarize all relevant information and will include appropriate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.
We aim to have the report ready within 10 business days of the assessment and you will receive a notification via email once it is available.
- Prescriptions & Medication
Our nurse practitioner can prescribe stimulant medication where clinically appropriate.
We can refer you back to your doctor to manage your prescriptions medication if preferred.
