ADHD Assessment for Adults Online: A Practical Guide for Australians

Can I get diagnosed with ADHD online?

Online services exist, but the standard for a diagnosis is a thorough clinical assessment, not a quiz or a short form.

• ReachOut Australia states that ADHD can’t be diagnosed online or through an ADHD quiz (ReachOut Australia).
• The Australian ADHD Guideline says a thorough assessment by a trained, credentialled clinician is needed to diagnose ADHD.
• A video appointment can only be as good as the assessment behind it, so ask exactly what the clinician will do.
• If a service offers a diagnosis after a short questionnaire alone, ask your GP whether it meets the standard above.

ADHD assessment for adults online: what a proper assessment includes

The Australian ADHD Guideline and the AADPA ADHD Diagnosis Checklist describe these elements of an adult ADHD diagnosis, so use them to check any online service.

• The checklist comes from the AADPA ADHD Diagnosis Checklist.
• The guideline also notes that direct observation, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging and EEG did not increase the accuracy of diagnosis.

ADHD assessment tools for adults online

Online questionnaires can help you organise your thoughts, but they cannot replace an assessment.

• Use a questionnaire to note which everyday situations are hard, then take your notes to a clinician.
• Try the free ADHD test for adults and the ADHD questionnaire for adults for reflection only.
• Remember that only a qualified professional can assess this, and a score is never a diagnosis.
• Read how clinicians test for ADHD to see what a full assessment adds.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

ADHD telehealth diagnosis and virtual ADHD testing

Telehealth means a video or phone appointment, and the questions below apply to any service that uses it.

1. 1Ask who the clinician is. Check their profession and credentials, because the guideline calls for an appropriately trained and credentialled clinician.
2. 2Ask what the assessment includes. Look for a detailed clinical interview and a childhood history, including school reports if requested.
3. 3Ask about virtual ADHD testing. If a computer task is offered, ask how it will be used; the guideline notes neuropsychological testing did not increase the accuracy of diagnosis.
4. 4Ask what is included in the price. Check whether follow-up, a written report and any review appointments cost extra; see ADHD assessment cost.
5. 5Ask what happens afterwards. Confirm who will manage ongoing care and whether your GP will receive the report.

Telehealth is also discussed for other conditions; for autism, a national guideline says it may complement in-person meetings but should not be the only way assessment is done, as explained in our autism assessment via telehealth guide.

Online ADHD assessment for children

Children are assessed differently, and the people involved are different too.

• healthdirect says children are usually diagnosed by a paediatrician or a child psychiatrist or psychologist.
• For a child, the same standard applies: a thorough assessment by an appropriately trained and credentialled clinician.
• Ask whether the clinician sees children and has experience with the child’s age group.
• Parent and family training should be offered to parents and carers, according to the clinician factsheet.

Online ADHD assessment and treatment

Assessment and treatment are separate steps, and any plan should be agreed with your own doctor.

• The Australian ADHD Guideline describes stimulant and non-stimulant medicines; any decision about medicine is made with your doctor.
• Cognitive behavioural approaches should be offered to adolescents and adults, according to the clinician factsheet.
• Never start, stop, change or share medicine without talking to your GP, psychiatrist or pharmacist.
• Ask whether the service provides ongoing care or only a diagnosis and a report.

Choosing an ADHD assessment for adults online

These checks help you compare online ADHD assessments before you pay.

• Look for clear information about the clinician, their credentials and the full cost before you pay.
• Be cautious about services that promise a diagnosis, a medicine or a quick result before they have met you.
• Check what they do with your information and how you can raise a complaint.
• Ask your GP whether they will accept the report.
• Compare with the Australian ADHD Guideline’s description of a thorough assessment before you commit.

• More on adult pathways is in how to diagnose ADHD in adults.
• If you are also wondering about autism, see the ADHD and autism assessment.

When to talk to a GP or specialist

• You have long-standing difficulty with focus, organisation or impulsivity that affects work, study or relationships.
• Someone close to you has suggested an assessment, or a child’s school has raised concerns.
• You are feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed; adults with ADHD can also experience depression or anxiety.
• You have seen an online service and want a GP to review what it offers before you pay.
• You want to talk about support at home, work or school.

Call 000 in an emergency. If you are in distress, Lifeline is on 13 11 14, or you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Your next step

An assessment is only one part of life with ADHD. TQN Care provides practical, respectful help at home and in the community, such as support with routines, appointments and daily tasks, and never treatment. If you are an NDIS participant or exploring access, look at our NDIS services or make a referral, and we will call you back.