ADHD Diagnosis Inquiries and Special Assessment Pathway
Our specialists provide comprehensive assessment and treatment services for individuals with suspected ADHD, while always adhering to conventional medical assessment and treatment processes. We recognise the complex nature of the ADHD diagnosis in modern psychiatry, amid real lives led in a rapidly changing world. ADHD is a high-prevalence neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood that may persist into adulthood, while often presenting with comorbid difficulties and medical complexity. However, we acknowledge the recent decade’s surge in the adult ADHD diagnosis and a potential for misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment and worsening health outcomes.
We provide effective, evidence-based care that considers the holistic needs of each individual, their family, and the broader community. We assert the complex diagnosis and care of ADHD does require specialist psychiatric and psychological expertise, and can not be devolved to non-experts.
Referral through your GP
If you suspect you have the neuropsychiatric disorder ADHD, we encourage you to complete an ADHD screening tool, then discuss the results with your GP to determine if specialist referral is indicated.
ADULT ADHD SELF-REPORT SCALE (ASRS-V1.1) SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
Published by the World Health Organization in 2003, this self report scale is what our patients will fill out and provide to your healthcare professional.
Special Assessment Pathway
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Booking Process
Following a referral or inquiry, we contact you to arrange a booking. Acceptance of The Seneca Clinic’s terms of service and payment of fees are required before seeing our specialists.
A GP referral is essential before offering an initial appointment. This GP referral should include:
- A summary of your medical and psychological health history and medication use.
- A recent baseline blood test
set of physical observations (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, height, weight). - Baseline ECG recording.
The initial appointment with the nurse specialist must be completed prior to booking a comprehensive assessment with one of our psychiatrists (usually within 2-6 weeks after your initial appointment).
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Initial Appointment with a Nurse Specialist
- The nurse specialist introduces the assessment process and conducts questionnaires and rating scales to objectively measure symptoms.
- Please provide at least two school reports, any educational assessments, or early psychological evaluations.
- Collateral information is required to clarify your symptoms and daily functioning. The nurse specialist will send you a questionnaire via email, for a parent or partner to complete.
3
Comprehensive Assessment with a Psychiatrist
After your nurse specialist consultation, your results, history, and reports are reviewed and considered within a comprehensive psychiatric assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, including:
- A clinical interview fully assessing your function, experiences, symptoms, and their impact.
- A review of psychological and medical history, treatment and medications.
Once the assessment process is complete, the specialist psychiatrist provides diagnostic feedback and treatment recommendations. If ADHD/ADD is diagnosed, comprehensive options in medication, psychological therapies, and lifestyle modification are clarified including the best providers of support.
If the diagnosis is not ADHD/ADD, guidance and clarification of diagnoses and treatment options are also provided, along with referrals for further evaluation and treatment.
Your psychiatric specialist then communicates diagnostic findings and a treatment plan to your GP to ensure consistency and continuity of care. This report includes a detailed diagnostic impression and recommendations about monitoring and ongoing care.
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Follow-Up care
Follow-up care is provided, including:
- Brief telephone or online education and support contact from our nurse specialist.
- A 30-minute specialist review appointment a month after your assessment, and GP advice.
- And regular specialist follow up (3-6 monthly) is recommended about progress, alternate options and treatment of co-morbid issues.
Liaison with General Practitioners and psychological therapy providers
We are happy to assist therapy providers, GPs and carers for optimal care and monitoring.
Psychometric testing
Specialist psychiatrists are experts in diagnostic differentiation of ADHD from other mental health conditions with similar symptoms. Our specialists use clinical psychometric evaluations such as the (Creyos Diagnostic System, CADDRA or Diva–5 scales) to support the evaluation of cognitive and behaviour related symptoms, anxiety and mood disorders, and varied temperaments. We follow expert guidelines and scientific evidence for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatments.
Treatment
While acknowledging the potential benefits of stimulant medications, we prescribe them cautiously, and maintain an ongoing specialist care relationship, being mindful to risks, misuse and diversion.
Stimulant medications are only prescribed within evidence-based guidelines, observing necessary precautions to ensure patient and community safety.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, and qualified therapists all perform important roles in delivering ADHD treatment services, utilising evidence-based knowledge and skills in diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for those experiencing ADHD.
For adults, treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders with hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour include medication, specialist therapy and coaching in coping skills. Local organizations, such as the NZ ADHD Association, can offer valuable support to individuals and their families.
Welcoming New Patients
A GP or clinical referral is required to secure an appointment with one of our specialists.
