Combined Autism & ADHD Discoveries (assessments) for Adults

Being Autistic and ADHD is often called ‘AuDHD’ - might that be you?

Combined adult adhd and autism discoveries

When exploring their neurotype, people often wonder if they can be both Autistic and ADHD. The answer is yes! Being Autistic and ADHD is often called ‘AuDHD’ and just like Autism and ADHD, we recognise and celebrate the AuDHD way of being as another neurotype in the amazing array of human neurodiversity. 

We draw from best-practice clinical guidelines that incorporate a Neuro-affirmative informed approach to Combined assessment, where we work with you collaboratively through the whole process.

Whilst we continue to use the term ‘assessment’, we prefer the neuro-affirmative terms ‘ADHD and Autistic Discovery’ as this more faithfully describes what we do:

We support you to discover your neurotype.

The Discovery Process has several parts as there are so many ways of being to explore with your psychologist. You will find a breakdown of these steps below.

*Rong Y, Yang C-J, Jin Y, Wang Y. Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis. Res Autism Spectr Disord. (2021) 83:101759. 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101759 [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]

The Combined Autism and ADHD Discovery Process (assessment) has 5 parts:

  1. An online intake form for you to complete that asks questions that are consistent with the DSM V criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) for ADHD and Autism, as well as some screening measures. You can complete it in your own time. We can also send supplementary intake forms for your family or friends to fill in. 

  2. An Explore Together consultation process with a clinical psychologist to explore in more detail if a full Combined Discovery Process is the next step forward.

  3. Three collaborative and relaxed sessions where you will meet the same clinical psychologist to go through the information you have already provided in your online forms. Your psychologist will ask you to expand on the information. You work collaboratively with your psychologist in an open and transparent process. 

  4. An outcome session where you explore the outcome of whether your way of being is aligned with the AuDHD neuro-type and you meet the DSM V criteria.

  5. If you learn that you are AuDHD you will be provided with neuro-diversity affirmative supporting documentation confirming that you are Autistic and ADHD which is consistent with best-practice clinical guidelines for Autism and ADHD confirmation (diagnosis).

    All sessions  are offered online or in person in our Sligo Clinic.

    Cost: € 1980

Step by Step Guide to the Combined ADHD and Autistic Discovery Process (assessment)

Here is the break-down of steps from start to finish:

Step 1:

Book online – go to Book an Assessment and fill in the contact form. You will be asked to sign a GDPR form so that we can legally hold your family’s information.

Step 2:

We will contact you via email and you will be invited to fill out online consent and screening forms and an ‘intake form’ with questions that are drawn from the DSM V criteria, which are the clinical diagnostic criteria we follow.  There are also supplementary forms for your family/people who know you well to fill out - these forms are an important part of the discovery process.  Your name goes on a waiting list.

Step 3:

When your name is near the top of the waiting list, we will email you with dates for the Explore Together Consultation that suit you and you will be asked to pay a €220 deposit to secure the Consultation date.

Step 4: The Explore Together Combined Consultation

You will meet with a clinical psychologist (online or in person) and together you will go through the information you have provided, as well as the childhood form and information provided by someone who knows you well now in your adult life. Your psychologist will explore with you whether a Combined ADHD & Autistic Discovery (or either one) is the next step to take.

This consultation forms an essential part of the Combined Discovery Process.

Step 5:

If it is agreed that you will be going for a full Combined Discovery process, we will email you to set up dates and you will be asked to pay a €440 deposit to secure the discovery dates.

Step 6: The Combined Discovery Process (assessment)

There are 3 Discovery Sessions:

  • You meet with the same clinical psychologist as before either in person or online and go through in detail the many different ways of being that make up the criteria for ADHD (‘Predominantly Inattentive’ Type, ‘Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive’ Type or ‘Combined’ Type). This interview is based on the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA) using neuro-affirmative language. You will also explore your childhood experiences and how your experiences then and now affect your everyday functioning in all aspects of your life. On occasion, it can be helpful to bring along a family member to this session. This session will take 90 minutes.

  • Autistic ways of being: On your second and third Discovery sessions you will go through in detail the many different ways of being that make up the DSM V criteria for Autism. 

    Typically, towards the end of the third session or the start of the Outcome Session your psychologist will share with you the provisional findings from the process and whether you are meeting the criteria for Autism and/or ADHD, including which type (if this is indicated).  60- 90 mins.

Step 7: Outcome Session

Your psychologist checks in with you and  together you review how the process has gone so far and talk about how you are feeling regarding the Autism and/or ADHD Confirmation (diagnosis) if this is the case for you. You will explore supports and resources available for you whether you are AuDHD or not, and your psychologist will go through the supporting documentation that we provide to confirm your AuDHD Confirmation. 75 - 90 mins approx

The Supporting Documentation contains reporting of how you fulfil the DSM V criteria for Autism and/or ADHD (with evidence from childhood, and in your adult life, as well as how it affects your functioning and screening information). This is consistent with best practice clinical guidelines

Combined Autism and ADHD Discovery Process Payment

We recognise that it is a big financial undertaking to pay for a private Combined Discovery (assessment). The cost is based on the amount of clinical time it takes to explore your ways of being that are aligned with the AuDHD neurotype, which captures the richness of your experiences, as well as the provision of neuro-affirmative supporting documentation. 

We spread the payment for the assessment over 5 time points that are paid via our secure online system:

  • €220 Explore Together ADHD Consultation

  • €440 deposit to secure the full Combined Discovery (if this is indicated)

  • €440 due on the day of your first Discovery session

  • €440 due on the day of your third Discovery session

  • €440 due on the day of your Outcome session

Please let us know if you would like the cost spread out over more instalments and we will be happy to work with you on an arrangement.

Post-ADHD Discovery Support 

Thinking about medication as an option?

Our team does not currently have a medical specialist who can prescribe medication. 

We offer an alternative route to a separate private psychiatry team that will accept our ADHD Discovery confirmation documents. If you are confirmed ADHD by our practice team and you would like to explore medication, we will then share the contact details of the psychiatry practice, and you will be able to discuss medication options further with them.

Thinking about ADHD Coaching and lifestyle support?

We partner with an ADHD coach, who is a late-discovered ADHDer, who can provide support to you in various ways following your confirmation of ADHD. This separate private service is based in Sligo and online. 

Important Notes

  • Due to high demand for our services, a cancellation fee for individual sessions will be applied if less than 48 hours notice is given. If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment or fail to attend without notifying the psychologist, a fee of €100 will be charged.

  • Preparing additional documentation, outside our standard suite, will attract an additional fee (fee details available as and when such documents are requested)

  • If you are applying for Disability Allowance and require a supporting letter, there is an additional fee of €150. Preparing a rich and detailed letter requires additional time and administration to gather and present relevant information in support of your application.