Overview of Testing Process
BUSY Health will provide a testing protocol tailored to your individual circumstances. We are able to provide a comprehensive assessment in line with providing evidence required for diagnosis using DSM-5-TR criteria, or work alongside your existing Psychiatrist or Paediatrician to provide a customised assessment protocol based on their request.
The assessment protocol includes an initial screening phone call from one of our Registered Psychologists, followed by a clinical interview, completion of questionnaires, observation of behaviours and interactions, standardised tests, feedback sessions and report completion.
To prepare for the assessment, please gather any medical records/reports, school reports or previous assessment results and bring these with you. This helps inform the new assessment and compare changes over time, and may help identify areas for additional assessment or observation.
There may be questionnaires or forms to complete prior to assessment and bring with you – this will be discussed during the screening call with our Psychologist.
Our assessments are delivered in a quiet and welcoming environment. We keep testing to a maximum of 3 hours on a single day, but work with you to determine if a shorter daily limit is appropriate and plan our assessments accordingly. A full assessment is estimated to take at least 12.5 hours for ADHD, 13.5 hours for Autism Spectrum Disorder, and 16.5 hours for combined ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder testing.
Once all interviews, assessments and observations have been completed, our Registered Psychologist will review these and compare them to established criteria for diagnosis using the DSM-5-TR before completing a feedback session and then developing a report for your individual needs.
This is a brief 15-20 minute phone call with a Registered Psychologist to understand your individual needs and determine what assessment protocols are likely to be required. There is no charge for this consultation.
If it is identified that any additional testing is required, this will be communicated with you at the earliest possible time. If this means the existing protocol is expected to take a longer duration, or an alternative diagnosis is possible, we will discuss the implications and next steps with you based on your individual circumstances to determine the next steps to get the support you need.
An official diagnosis can take many forms and may be dependent on the intended use of the diagnosis. BUSY Health is able to work as part of your diagnostic team for medical and psychiatric purposes, and can provide evidence of meeting diagnostic criteria for NDIS registration. If you would like information around diagnosis and it’s intended use and implications, we are more than happy to discuss this in your free screening call.
An official diagnosis has many implications and positive support outcomes. Gaining a verified diagnosis means acknowledging that you or your loved one has a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder. It may support you to access to support services such as the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) and other government-funded programs, obtain Educational Accommodations – Schools can provide tailored learning plans and support, gain Workplace Adjustments – Employers may offer reasonable accommodations under disability laws, and/or be prescribed Medical and Therapeutic Support such as access to medication, therapy, and specialist care.
Receiving a formal diagnosis may also help validate your feelings and increase your self-understanding of your past and current circumstances, help identify support networks and communities that can assist you, and aid in advocacy and awareness supports for you into the future.
This is highly dependent on your individual needs. You may take the results of our assessment to your Psychiatrist or Paediatrician to support your diagnosis and medical management of your condition, submit our report to a relevant authority such as the NDIS to gain additional support or funding, or take your new understanding of your condition forward to engage in support services to assist you managing challenges you experience. No matter what your individual circumstances are, BUSY Health are here to support you along the journey.
BUSY Health may complete the assessment and a diagnosis might not be made, however assessment results may indicate other challenges or diagnoses that may be worth investigating.
Throughout the assessment process our Registered Psychologists will evaluate the potential for a diagnosis not to be met and communicate options for alternate pathways where relevant. BUSY Health will assist you to engage in the correct support moving forward, which may include progression onto a separate assessment or support program with us or another provider.
Suite 6/45 Nind Street Southport QLD 4215
PO BOX 303
Southport QLD 4215
BUSY Health acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as original custodians of this land and pay our respect to Elders, past and present.
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