How Psychologists work together with general practitioners, pediatricians and psychiatrists. 

ADHD Assessments

What changed in Victoria, and why it matters

Historically, access to ADHD medication often depended on specialist bottlenecks. When wait times to see a psychiatrist or paediatrician, who were the only professionals who could prescribe ADHD medications,  stretch out. People were left stuck—often for months—despite clear impairment and strong motivation to engage in treatment.

While psychologists have been assessing and diagnosing ADHD for many years, referrals to a psychiatrist for for medication were too long. 

The emerging Victorian model is designed to:

• Improve access to ADHD diagnosis and medication management through trained GPs 

• Reduce system pressure on psychiatry services

• Support safer, more consistent care when diagnosis and follow-up are local and integrated

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Two common referral pathways (and both work well)

Pathway A: GP → Psychologist → GP (shared-care assessment)

1. GP identifies possible ADHD and refers for comprehensive psychological assessment

2. Psychologist completes assessment and provides a structured report

3. GP uses the report (plus their clinical assessment) to decide:

   • whether ADHD criteria are met

   • whether medication is appropriate

   • what monitoring and follow-up plan is required

Pathway B: Psychologist → GP (assessment already underway)

Sometimes a client is already engaged in therapy and ADHD becomes a clearer possibility over time. In that case:

1. Psychologist completes the assessment and provides documentation

2. Client is referred to a GP for medical review and prescribing consideration

3. Ongoing care continues collaboratively

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A key point: psychologists can diagnose, but GPs prescribe

Psychologists can provide a formal ADHD diagnosis as part of a comprehensive psychological assessment, and can document the reasoning and differential diagnosis clearly.

However, medication prescribing is a medical decision. Under the new model, the GP ultimately determines whether medication will be prescribed and how it will be monitored—often within state-based regulatory and permitting frameworks. 

That division of roles is a feature, not a bug:

• The psychologist contributes depth in assessment, formulation, and non-pharmacological intervention

• The GP integrates the assessment with medical history, risk factors, contraindications, and prescribing/monitoring responsibilities

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What Foundation Psychology provides (for clients and referrers)

At Foundation Psychology, our ADHD assessments are designed to be GP-friendly and clinically thorough. Reports typically include:

• Diagnostic conclusion and rationale

• Summary of evidence across history, measures, collateral (where available), and function

• Differential diagnosis considerations

• Co-occurring issues and risk flags

• Practical recommendations (therapy, skills, workplace/study supports)

• Clear language to support the GP’s prescribing decision-making

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Where psychologists fit: comprehensive assessment that informs GP decisions

A GP may ask a psychologist to conduct a comprehensive ADHD psychological assessment to help determine:

1. Whether ADHD is present

2. What else is going on (and what might better explain the symptoms)

3. What supports will make the biggest difference, with or without medication

Psychologists can contribute by providing:

• Structured diagnostic interviews and collateral history (e.g., developmental history, school reports where available)

• Standardised ADHD rating scales and broader screening measures

• Functional assessment across life domains (work/study, relationships, daily living, driving, sleep)

• Cognitive and executive functioning assessment where indicated (attention, working memory, planning, organisation)

• A written report that synthesises findings and flags clinical risks and comorbidities

This is particularly useful because ADHD rarely travels alone. The ADHD national guideline emphasises careful differential diagnosis and assessment of co-occurring conditions.

Where psychologists fit: comprehensive assessment that informs GP decisions

A psychologist to conduct a comprehensive psychological assessment to help determine:

1. Whether ADHD is present

2. What else is going on (and what might better explain the symptoms)

3. What supports will make the biggest difference, with or without medication

Psychologists may conduct this assessment independently, or at the request of a referring doctor. This assessment contributes by providing:

• Structured diagnostic interviews and collateral history (e.g., developmental history, school reports where available)

• Standardised ADHD rating scales and broader screening measures

• Functional assessment across life domains (work/study, relationships, daily living, driving, sleep)

• Cognitive and executive functioning assessment where indicated (attention, working memory, planning, organisation)

• A written report that synthesises findings and flags clinical risks and comorbidities

This is particularly useful because ADHD rarely travels alone. The national guideline emphasises careful differential diagnosis and assessment of co-occurring conditions.

Why co-occurring issues matter in ADHD (and why GPs often ask psychologists to assess)

1) Autism (ASD)

ADHD and autism commonly overlap. In clinical practice, this can affect how symptoms show up (e.g., sensory sensitivity, inflexability, social communication differences, shutdowns vs “inattention”), and it changes what supports work best. Research consistently shows high co-occurrence between ASD and ADHD. An Autism Assessment can be life changing. 

Why it matters for treatment:

• Psychoeducation and skills work often needs to be adapted

• Executive functioning challenges may be compounded

• Emotional regulation and social stress can drive secondary anxiety/depression

2) Mood and anxiety problems

Many adults present for ADHD assessment because they’re overwhelmed, burnt out, anxious, or flat. Sometimes ADHD is the underlying driver; sometimes mood/anxiety is primary; often it’s both. ADHD is widely recognised to co-occur with anxiety and depressive disorders. 

Why it matters for prescribing:

• Sleep, appetite, and anxiety profiles can influence medication choice and titration strategy

• Treating ADHD can reduce “secondary” distress for some people, but not all—so a parallel psychological plan is often needed

3) Trauma and PTSD

There is a real symptom overlap between ADHD and trauma (concentration problems, irritability, sleep disruption, hypervigilance). There’s also evidence of substantial co-occurrence between ADHD and PTSD in adult samples. 

Why it matters:

• Trauma-informed care changes how we interpret behaviour and functioning

• Some clients benefit from stabilisation and skills first (sleep, emotional regulation, safety planning) alongside any ADHD treatment

4) Cognitive differences and learning challenges

ADHD can coexist with learning disorders (reading, written expression, maths) and broader cognitive profile differences. The Australian guideline highlights that specific learning disorders commonly occur in people with ADHD, making a cognitive assessment really helpful

Why it matters:

• A person may find standard strategies ineffective unless learning needs are identified

• Workplace/study accommodations often require clear documentation

• Executive functioning support can be tailored to the person’s actual profile

Next steps

If you’re a GP:

You can refer to Foundation Psychology for a comprehensive ADHD assessment to support diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning in the context of GP prescribing.

If you’re a patient or family member:

Talk to your GP about whether an ADHD assessment is appropriate, and whether a psychologist-led assessment could help clarify the picture—especially if there are overlapping issues like anxiety, trauma, sleep problems, autism traits, or learning difficulties.

If you’d like, paste your clinic’s preferred referral wording (or your current template) and I’ll rewrite it into a tight GP referral paragraph + a patient-facing version for your website.

FAQs

1) Can my GP diagnose and treat ADHD in Victoria now?

In Victoria, reforms announced in 2026 are designed to improve access by enabling appropriately trained GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD, including prescribing stimulant medication in eligible cases. In practice, the exact pathway can depend on GP training, local service arrangements, and prescribing requirements. Many GPs still prefer a shared-care model where a psychologist completes a comprehensive assessment to support diagnostic clarity and safe prescribing decisions.

2) If my psychologist diagnoses ADHD, can my GP prescribe medication from that?

A psychologist’s assessment can provide strong diagnostic evidence and a clear formulation (including comorbidities and risks). However, the GP is the prescriber, so they must still make an independent medical decision about whether medication is appropriate, safe, and permitted under the relevant pathway. A high-quality psychologist report typically helps the GP move faster and more confidently through that decision.

3) What does a “comprehensive ADHD assessment” involve?

A comprehensive assessment usually includes a detailed clinical interview (including developmental history), standardised ADHD questionnaires, review of functional impairment across life domains (work/study, relationships, home routines), screening for common co-occurring conditions, and—when indicated—assessment of executive functioning and learning/cognitive profile. The end result is a structured report that summarises evidence, differential diagnosis, and practical recommendations.

4) Why do you screen for autism, anxiety/depression, trauma, and learning issues as part of ADHD assessment?

Because ADHD commonly overlaps with other conditions, and the right treatment plan depends on what’s driving the impairment. For example:

• Autism traits can change the support strategies that work best

• Anxiety/depression can mimic or amplify attention difficulties

• Trauma can create concentration and hyperarousal symptoms that need trauma-informed care

• Learning/cognitive differences affect study/work accommodations and skills planning

  Clarifying these factors improves treatment matching and reduces the risk of “one-size-fits-all” care.

5) If I start medication, do I still need psychology?

Medication can be very helpful for many people, and its first line treatment. But medication doesn’t give people skills on its own. Psychology can help with habit change, planning systems, emotional regulation, sleep routines, procrastination, relationship impacts, and self-criticism/shame, as well as workplace/study strategies. Many clients do best with a combined approach: medication (when appropriate) plus therapy/skill development.