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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A young boy in a red shirt, full of energy, leans forward while his mother, in denim overalls and a striped top, gently supports him. An older woman with short red hair, glasses, and a grey sweater sits nearby, observing and taking notes, likely during a behavioural or developmental assessment. The background features a classroom setting with educational posters related to ADHD and neurodiversity.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, though it involves far more than being ‘distracted’ or ‘restless.’

At Neurofit Brain Centre, we don’t diagnose ADHD, but we offer personalised therapy programs as part of ADHD support.

 

What is ADHD?

ADHD affects how the brain processes information, controls impulses, and regulates attention. It’s a complex neurological condition that impacts executive functions like working memory, emotional regulation, and task management.

There are 3 types of ADHD, namely:

  • Inattentive: characterised by distractibility, forgetfulness, and difficulty sustaining attention
  • Hyperactive-impulsive: involves fidgeting, restlessness, impulsivity, difficulty waiting and constant need for stimulation
  • Combined: features a mix of inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.

Generally, hyperactive ADHD may be easier to spot as it is more likely to influence outward behaviour. Imagine Jake, a lively 10-year-old who can’t sit still in class. He interrupts his teacher, forgets his homework, and rushes through tasks without thinking. At home, he struggles to take turns with his siblings and badgers his parents relentlessly when he wants something – he just doesn’t seem able to wait! His symptoms are classic for the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD, making his challenges more noticeable to parents and teachers.

Now, consider Jake’s classmate, Sarah. She’s a quiet child who’s eager to please. She daydreams in class, finds it hard to complete assignments, and frequently loses track of conversations. She often struggles to get ready on time, leading to a hectic and stressful start to each school day as her parents hurry her along. Sarah’s not disruptive, but her inattentiveness undoubtedly affects her learning and self-esteem.

This difference in how symptoms present often means that boys like Jake are diagnosed earlier, while girls like Sarah may be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Research shows that girls are more likely to have the inattentive type of ADHD, which lacks the physical restlessness that grabs attention. This can lead to years of untreated struggles, affecting confidence, friendships, and academic success.

Living with undiagnosed ADHD can be profoundly isolating. Children like Sarah may internalise their challenges, interpreting their forgetfulness and distractibility as personal failings, rather than symptoms of a neurological condition. Over time, this can erode self-esteem, creating a cycle where fear of failure leads to avoidance of challenging tasks, reinforcing a sense of inadequacy.

Meanwhile, kids like Jake may be labelled ‘disruptive’ or ‘difficult,’ affecting their self-worth and their relationships with teachers, parents, and peers.

 

Getting an ADHD diagnosis

As you can see, getting a diagnosis is important. But there’s no single, simple test for ADHD.

The first step towards diagnosis is usually to see your GP. They may recommend a psychological assessment, which can include asking parents and teachers to complete detailed questionnaires about a child’s behaviour.

Once those assessments are complete, you may be referred to a paediatrician or psychiatrist who will officially diagnose ADHD and discuss treatment options, which may include a combination of:

  • Medication
  • Psychological support
  • Occupational therapy

Neurofit Brain Centre does not diagnose ADHD. However, as experienced allied health professionals, we provide a number of personalised therapy programs to help children and adults support their ADHD symptoms. We also offer a brain-mapping QEEG scan, which can offer insights into the brain’s inner workings to inform your treatment.

 

Next steps

If you or your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, please book an assessment to explore how our personalised therapy programs could support.

 

Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

 

References