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Clinical assessments for adults are comprehensive evaluations that identify emotional, psychological or behavioural concerns
These assessments are essential for creating tailored treatment plans, accessing NDIS funding and improving communication and support in workplace or educational settings.
Clinical assessment services
Adult IQ testing
The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is a cognitive and intellectual test that involves gathering information on an individual’s performance on a standardised intelligence test, the WAIS-IV.
The goal of an IQ assessment is to obtain an accurate profile of an individual’s intellectual functioning, thinking and reasoning skills, and cognitive strengths as well as their challenges.
The WAIS-IV is a widely recognised test for adults and older adolescents designed to measure the intelligence of individuals aged 16–90 years. It provides an estimate of general intellectual functioning, known as the IQ score.
At the conclusion of the cognitive and intellectual assessment, a written report will detail your results, your IQ score, and written recommendations.
Adult ADHD assessment
Not everyone who is overly hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive has an attention deficit disorder. To assess whether a person has ADHD, we consider several critical questions: Are they a continuous problem and not just a response to a temporary situation? Do the behaviours occur in several settings or only in one specific place like the playground or the office?
The person’s pattern of behaviour is compared against a set of criteria and characteristics of the disorder. These criteria appear in a manual called the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5). Other potential causes that need to be screened out include; learning difficulties, oppositional issues, mood problems and medical conditions.
Comprehensive ADHD is a process conducted over three sessions with a qualified psychologist. The psychologist will ask you questions and administer questionnaires about your background, educational history and aptitudes and noted changes in your cognitive ability (ie memory, focus, concentration, distractibility) to determine if you may have ADHD or another related problem.
ADHD screening and other assessments measure symptoms of ADHD and are completed by yourself and family members who can provide a developmental and behavioural history.
Medical screening and assessment through your GP, medical clinic or Psychiatrist will be required for further diagnostic data.
The ADHD assessment includes:
- 3 x 1-hour clinical consultations
- Administration of ADHD rating scales and other screening tests, Mood, Working memory and executive functioning tests
- Scoring of measures and Interpretative Report
Adult ASD assessment
Even a late diagnosis can still be very important for individuals, both for themselves and their families. A diagnosis can provide a much better understanding of the challenges an individual may face, and opportunities to find support that can help.
Following are some examples where an adult may need assessment for an autism diagnosis.
- The person may have struggled for many years with social situations and a feeling of “being different”. They, or someone close to them, may hear something about autism that encourages the person to investigate a diagnosis.
- Sometimes when a child receives an autism diagnosis, other family members – such as parents or grandparents – might begin to identify with a number of qualities or characteristics associated with autism. This can lead to them exploring a diagnosis for themselves.
- The person may have been diagnosed with anxiety or another ‘disorder’ in childhood or adolescence. A carer or clinician may observe characteristics consistent with autism in the adult and recommend an assessment.
- There are currently no publicly funded adult assessment clinics in Victoria.
The process of ASD assessment
A structured clinical interview is conducted with the adult (and their partner, if relevant) to obtain information about the areas in which individuals with ASD typically have difficulty (i.e., social interaction, social communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour). Assessment with the ADOS-2 is also conducted.
Other tests and questionnaires designed to capture the unique characteristics of individuals with ASD may also be used. In some cases, an IQ assessment is administered to gain more specific information about the adult’s intellectual strengths and weaknesses.
A written report will be provided after the comprehensive assessment, which can assist your doctor and carer to apply for DSP and NDIS funding. Depending on the situation, this information may then assist with disability support.
Personality assessment
A Personality Assessment can be conducted in person or online. It involves a detailed process with two clinical consultations, interviews with informants, administration of Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), scoring of PAI and report writing.
The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is a self-administered, objective test of personality and psychopathology. It is a multi-scale test that provides a clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, and screening for various personality disorders. It can assist in the diagnosis of specific personality disorders including Borderline, Narcissistic, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive and Antisocial Personality Disorder.
The PAI is a widely used personality test, which you will be sent to do online. It comprises 344 questions and takes approximately 50-60 minutes to complete.
Diagnosis of mental health problems
A comprehensive Mental Health Test is a process conducted over several sessions with a qualified psychologist. Your psychologist will ask you questions and administer questionnaires about your background and current circumstances to determine if you may be suffering from a psychological/mental health disorder.
The Psychological/Mental Health Test measures symptoms to identify psychological problems including:
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Bipolar Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Sexual Disorders
Following the completion of the comprehensive Mental Health Test, a treatment plan is collaboratively developed. A standard treatment plan includes recommended actions to reduce and/or manage symptoms, recommendations regarding the need for follow up assessment/treatment and an outline of treatment objectives.
Live a more meaningful life
Seeking mental well-being services? Reach out to Sarkar Mental Health.