Neuropsychiatric assessment

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Undergoing a neuropsychiatric assessment can feel scary and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. We make the difficult easier, and in this article you will gain a better understanding of what neuropsychiatric assessment is and how it works. This is particularly relevant if you or someone close to you suspects a neuropsychiatric diagnosis such as ADHD or autism.

What is a neuropsychiatric assessment?

An assessment is a basic neuropsychiatric assessment of difficulties and strengths that identifies a person’s need for support and assistance. It involves interviews that identify neuropsychiatric symptoms of ADHD and autism in both childhood and adulthood, and how these affect different areas of life such as study, work and relationships. An ADHD assessment also includes interviews with family members to see what the symptoms were like in childhood and cognitive tests to get more information about current functioning.

According to Health Direct, about 1 in 150 Australians has ASD. The characteristics of ASD usually start in infancy. But they may not be noticeable until the age of 2 or 3 years. Sometimes ASD is diagnosed much later in life.

What set our therapist apart was her genuine empathy and personal insight. Not only did she possess a deep understanding of neurodiversity, but she also shared personal experiences that resonated with us, creating an instant connection and fostering a sense of trust!

Benedetta Osarenk

The assessment is carried out by both a licensed psychologist and a doctor who is a specialist in psychiatry who collaborate in the diagnosis. You will meet both of them during the assessment. An assessment can be an important part of the journey towards deeper self-knowledge and better psychological health. At Lavendla, we want you to get the right help and support.

Why carry out an assessment?

Often you have thought about it for a long time before doing a neuropsychiatric assessment. If you are an adult, you may have noticed that you function in a slightly different way and have certain difficulties at school, at work or in relationships. For children, the issue may be raised by the school or a parent who has noticed that something is not working. A neuropsychiatric assessment can provide several benefits and help you gain:

• Understanding: to clarify your situation and understand why some things may be more challenging.
• Treatment plan: With a diagnosis, you and your healthcare team can create an effective treatment plan. You can get help with concentration, planning and organization but also problems such as confidence and self-esteem.
• Support: A diagnosis can give you access to resources and support that would otherwise not be available. For example, you are entitled to extra support for studies even as an adult.

A neuropsychiatric assessment can tell you if you have both ADHD and autism, conditions that often co-exist. While ADHD involves difficulties with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, autism manifests itself as difficulties in social situations, you often have special interests and may have difficulty with change. Both of these diagnoses have different levels of severity, with more or less impact on everyday life. The assessment will tell you what level you have and provide you with measures adapted to your specific situation.

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How does a neuropsychiatric assessment work?

• First meeting: It usually starts with an assessment visit where we map how your symptoms affect your life in different areas.
• Testing and interviews: This is followed by tests and interviews with both you and your family.
• Follow-up: After all the tests and interviews, there will be a debriefing where you will be informed of the results and recommendations for further treatment.

First step in an investigation

Taking the step to have a neuropsychiatric assessment is an important part of taking care of your health. It can seem overwhelming at first, but usually leads to a sense of relief and clarity when it’s done. A private assessment is also quick, as we often have a shorter waiting time than public healthcare. If you have more questions or want to know more about how to get the help you need, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to make the difficult things easier for you.

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Why Lavendla?

Second step: Assessment for investigation

Before the actual assessment process, we start with an assessment interview with a licensed psychologist where we go through your background, your symptoms and other factors that may explain your problems. You will also fill in forms and self-assessment tests related to your behavior and difficulties. If you have symptoms that may warrant an investigation, we will proceed with it.

Third step: the neuropsychiatric assessment

An assessment usually involves meeting with a licensed psychologist, who conducts interviews and testing, and a psychiatrist, who makes an assessment and orders tests. The different parts of a neuropsychiatric assessment for adults in private practice usually include:

• Interviews: We conduct a diagnostic interview to see how your symptoms have affected you in childhood and adulthood in areas such as work, leisure and relationships. To make sure that your symptoms have been present since childhood, we usually also have an interview with a family member. If a child is being assessed, the school is also involved in the assessment.
• Psychological tests: which measure attention, concentration and other cognitive functions.
• Doctor’s visit: As part of the assessment, you will see a doctor for a neurological assessment and blood tests.

Step 4: Evaluation and diagnosis

After the assessment, the doctor and psychologist will summarize the results and make a diagnosis together. You will then receive a thorough review of the results and a psychological report with recommendations for further action. These are adapted to your situation and functional impact.

Fifth step: After the assessment

If we make a diagnosis, we will discuss different treatment options with you. This may include:

• Medication if necessary
• Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) adapted to your problems
• Support and adaptations in working life or studies

It’s also worth noting that a neuropsychiatric diagnosis also comes with certain rights, such as a study mentor and more time for exams. You may also be able to get help from the habilitation service if necessary.