If you've started looking into an assessment for your child, you may have noticed something: the conversation rarely stays about just one thing. You came in wondering about ADHD, and someone mentioned autism — or the other way around. It can feel confusing, even a little overwhelming. But there's a good reason these two so often come up together, and understanding why can help you feel more confident about the path ahead.
A quick overview of ADHD
ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a form of neurodivergence that shapes how a person manages attention, activity, and impulses. It's not a matter of laziness or poor discipline; it reflects genuine differences in how the brain regulates focus and energy. It commonly shows up as:
Difficulty staying focused on tasks that aren't naturally interesting
Being easily distracted, or often losing track of things
Restlessness, fidgeting, or a strong need to move
Acting or speaking on impulse
It looks different from person to person — some people are more inattentive, others more hyperactive, and many are a mix of both.
A quick overview of autism
Autism is also a form of neurodivergence, one that shapes how a person communicates, relates to others, and experiences the world through their senses. It's a spectrum, which means it presents in many different ways, and every autistic person is an individual with their own strengths and support needs. It can include:
Differences in social interaction and communication
A preference for routine, predictability, and structure
Deep, focused interests
Heightened or reduced sensitivity to sound, light, texture, or other input
Because some of these traits can overlap with ADHD, it isn't always obvious at first glance which is which — which is part of why the two are so often assessed together.
Two diagnoses that frequently overlap
ADHD and autism are distinct in how they're defined, but they share a great deal of common ground. Both are forms of neurodivergence, both shape the way a person focuses, processes information, and experiences the world around them, and both often become noticeable in similar situations — the classroom, friendships, or the daily push and pull of routines at home.
Research increasingly shows a strong correlation between the two. Many people who have one also have traits of the other, and it's common for a child assessed for one diagnosis to meet the criteria for both. For a long time, formal diagnostic guidelines didn't allow the two to be diagnosed together, but that has since changed, reflecting what clinicians and families had long observed: ADHD and autism frequently co-occur.
Because the traits can look similar on the surface — difficulties with attention, differences in how a child plays or socialises, sensitivities to their environment — it isn't always obvious which is driving what. A thorough assessment is what untangles the picture.
Why the assessments are often done at the same time
Given how much these diagnoses overlap, it makes sense to look at both together rather than one in isolation. A good clinician assessing a child for one will naturally keep an eye out for the other, because ruling each in or out gives you the fullest, most accurate understanding of your child.
Doing an autism assessment and an ADHD assessment at the same time has real, practical benefits. It saves you from booking two separate processes, filling out two rounds of questionnaires, and taking your child through the experience twice. It also means the assessing psychologist can weigh the traits side by side, which leads to a clearer result — especially in cases where the two diagnoses influence and mask each other. And, of course, it's usually more affordable to do the assessments together than to arrange them separately. You can see the full breakdown on our fees page, where pricing is listed upfront so you know what to expect before you book.
At Fielding Feelings, our lead psychologist, Megan Fielding, has a special interest in comprehensive assessment across the lifespan, and she talks openly about her own experience of ADHD and autism — so families are met with genuine understanding, not just clinical expertise.
What a combined assessment can tell you
Whether the outcome is one diagnosis, both, or neither, a combined assessment gives you a complete picture of how your child thinks, learns, and relates to others. That clarity is what makes it useful. It informs the recommendations we share with you, and it helps schools build support that fits your child — including Individual Learning Plans developed in collaboration with teachers.
You can read more about what's involved in each process on our ADHD assessment and autism assessment pages.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an ADHD and autism assessment in Melbourne?
Getting started is straightforward. You can get in touch with our team to ask questions, talk through your concerns, and book an initial appointment. We'll walk you through what the process looks like and what to expect at each step.
Is it cheaper to get a combined ADHD and autism assessment?
Yes. Assessing for both diagnoses in one process is generally more cost-effective than arranging two separate assessments, since much of the underlying work — the history-taking, questionnaires, and clinical observation — overlaps. You'll find our current pricing listed clearly on our fees page.
Can adults get assessed for ADHD and autism?
Yes. Assessments aren't just for children and teens — many adults seek an autism assessment or ADHD assessment, often after recognising traits in themselves that went unnoticed earlier in life. Megan Fielding focuses on assessment across the lifespan, so adults are welcome.
Does Medicare cover an ADHD and autism assessment?
Medicare rebates may be available in some circumstances, though coverage depends on your individual situation and referral. Rebates typically offset part of the cost rather than the full amount. We recommend getting in touch so we can talk through what may apply to you, and you can review our upfront pricing on the fees page.
