ADHD Assessment in Bomaderry
Trouble focusing, a restless mind or a messy routine can make school, work and home life harder. You may wonder if ADHD is part of the picture. An ADHD assessment at Meroo Street Family Practice gives you a place to start.
For an ADHD assessment, you may not need to wait for a psychiatrist or paediatrician appointment before starting.
What is ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition of brain development that starts in early childhood. Healthdirect explains that it can also be diagnosed in teenagers and adults. At any age, it can affect focus, impulse control and activity levels. NSW Health notes that no reliable blood test can confirm it. That is why an ADHD diagnosis rests on a careful look at your symptoms.
How the Assessment Works
A good assessment starts with a detailed chat about your symptoms and how they affect daily life. Your doctor may use questionnaires and rating scales. They may also ask parents, partners or teachers what they have seen, because others often notice patterns first.
Symptoms generally need to have lasted more than 6 months and to have started before age 12. Other health concerns can look like ADHD, so your doctor checks for those too.
Who an Assessment May Suit
An assessment may suit you if you:
- have long-standing trouble focusing, planning or finishing tasks
- feel restless, or act on impulse in ways that upset work, study or relationships
- are an adult who wonders if ADHD explains patterns you have had since childhood
- care for a child aged 6 or over whose attention or behaviour affects school or home
Our GP provides an adult ADHD assessment and an ADHD assessment for children aged 6 and over. That is why your first visit helps you decide if an assessment is the right step.
What the Assessment Looks At
Your doctor will explore several areas, including:
- attention and focus
- restlessness and activity levels
- impulsive behaviour
- planning and time management
- the effect on school, work and relationships
- anxiety, low mood or sleep concerns that may overlap
This wider view matters because ADHD often appears alongside other concerns. So it also shapes the visits, which are described next.
What Your Visits Involve
Our assessments are completed over two to three sessions, so there is time to talk properly. First, you share your concerns, your history and what you hope to learn. To prepare, bring notes on what you have noticed, plus past school reports if you have them.
Next, your doctor may use questionnaires or rating scales, along with input from people who know you well. Finally, your doctor talks through what they found. Because other explanations are possible, not every assessment ends in an ADHD diagnosis. Some people are referred to a psychologist or another specialist instead.
Ongoing care is available following assessment, based on clinical suitability.
How Dr Hossam Selim Can Help
Dr Hossam Selim (AHPRA No. MED0002203641), one of our GPs, assesses and diagnoses ADHD in children aged 6 and over and in adults. This is possible because NSW Health has brought in reforms that let trained GPs diagnose ADHD. Dr Selim has completed the extra training for this.
As an ADHD GP in Bomaderry, he sees patients in private consultations with no Medicare rebate. Our reception team can explain current fees before you book.
ADHD Assessment Near Me in Nowra and Shoalhaven
If you have been searching for an ADHD assessment near me, our clinic is at 1 Meroo Street, Bomaderry. We welcome patients from Nowra and across Shoalhaven. You can also read more about our doctors or medical consultations.
Start the Conversation About ADHD
An ADHD assessment is a careful, step-by-step look at attention, activity and daily life. If you or your child would like to talk it through, our team is here to listen. If you’re looking for an ADHD assessment in or near Bomaderry, NSW, our team at Meroo St Family Practice is here for you.
Schedule your appointment from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a GP Diagnose ADHD in NSW?
GPs in NSW who complete the required extra training can now diagnose ADHD, under reforms brought in by NSW Health. Dr Selim may help assess children aged 6 and over and adults. Whether an assessment suits you depends on your own situation, and your doctor will talk this through with you at your first visit.
Do You Assess Children as Well as Adults?
Yes. Dr Selim provides ADHD assessments for adults and for children aged 6 and over. If your child is younger than 6, our reception team can talk through other options with you. Call (02) 4421 4655 if you are unsure whether an assessment suits your child.
Do I Need to See a Specialist First?
You don’t have to wait for a psychiatrist or paediatrician appointment to begin the assessment process at our clinic. Some people are still referred on if their situation is complex or another specialist is better placed to help. Your doctor will explain which path suits you.
How Long Does an ADHD Assessment Take?
Our assessments are completed over two to three sessions, which gives time to talk through your history and concerns. The length of each visit can vary with your situation, so our reception team can confirm what to expect when you book.
Does Medicare Cover an ADHD Assessment?
ADHD assessments at our clinic are private consultations, and no Medicare rebate is available. Fees apply, and our reception team can confirm current fees before you book your first visit. That way, you know what to expect before you arrive and can plan around the number of sessions.
What Happens After My Assessment?
Your doctor will explain what they found and talk through the next steps with you. Ongoing care is available following assessment, based on clinical suitability. Some people are referred to a psychologist or another specialist instead, depending on what the assessment shows.