ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a difference in how the brain manages attention, activity and impulses. It usually starts in childhood, and for many people it carries on into the teenage years and adult life. It has nothing to do with effort, intelligence or parenting.
There are three recognised presentations:
- Mainly inattentive. Trouble staying focused, drifting off, losing things, forgetting. This kind is easy to miss, especially in girls and women.
- Mainly hyperactive-impulsive. Restlessness, fidgeting, talking over others, acting before thinking.
- Combined. A mix of both.
ADHD often turns up alongside other things, such as anxiety, learning difficulties or autism. A good assessment looks at the whole person, not just a checklist.
What it can look like
In children, parents and teachers may notice a child who can’t settle, rushes their work or seems to be in a world of their own. Teenagers may find school harder as they are expected to organise more of it themselves. In adults, ADHD is less about running around. It is more often trouble getting started on tasks, losing track of time, a busy mind and feelings that are hard to settle.
Assessment at The Village
Dr Stuart Arbuckle can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medicine for it under Western Australia’s GP ADHD prescriber pathway. Until recently this was done almost only by paediatricians and psychiatrists. He assesses children from 10 years old, teenagers and adults.
There is a lot of demand, so we keep an ADHD waiting list. The process usually runs like this:
- Call us. Phone the practice on (08) 6285 0999 to join the ADHD waiting list. We’ll send you a letter explaining each step, the questionnaires and the costs.
- Questionnaires. We send you questionnaires to complete before your assessment. For children these include the Vanderbilt questionnaires for parents and teachers. Adults have their own set.
- Assessment. Dr Stuart takes a careful life history, from pregnancy and early childhood through school, work and today. A second appointment confirms the diagnosis or looks at other explanations.
- Nurse check. One of our nurses checks blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight, and may do an ECG (heart tracing) and a urine test.
- A plan. We agree on next steps together.
Not everyone who is assessed has ADHD. Sometimes something else explains the picture better, and sometimes a specialist opinion is the right next step. We will tell you plainly either way.
ADHD appointments are privately billed. The current fees are below, and on our fees page.
If you are seeking a diagnosis
| Appointment | Length | Fee | Medicare rebate | Your cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial appointment | 30 min | $470 | about $87 | about $383 |
| Final appointment | 15 min | $190 | about $64 | about $126 |
| Total | $660 | about $509 |
If you already have a diagnosis
| Appointment | Length | Fee | Medicare rebate | Your cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review appointment (first and final) | 30 min | $470 | about $64 | about $406 |
Pathology and any other tests are billed separately by the provider. Rebates are approximate and depend on your Medicare eligibility.
Treatment
ADHD care usually works best as a mix of approaches:
- Practical support at home, school and work, such as routines, reminders and sensible adjustments. Our Explaining ADHD to Teachers handout can help start that conversation with your child’s school.
- Psychology and coaching to build skills such as planning, organising and managing time and emotions.
- Medicine, where it suits. The stimulants commonly used in Australia are methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. Non-stimulant options include atomoxetine, guanfacine and clonidine.
Stimulant medicines are closely regulated in WA, so regular reviews are part of treatment. We check how well the medicine is working and watch for side effects such as poor appetite, trouble sleeping, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. If a medicine is hard to get because of a supply shortage, we will help you work out the options.
Helpful resources
- ADHD WA: support for Western Australians affected by ADHD, and for those who teach and work with them.
- ADHD Australia: national information for adults, parents and professionals.
- ADHD Foundation Australia: practical tools and updates on medicine supply.
- ADHD Support Australia: online talks, programs for teens and parenting guides.
- The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne: a clear fact sheet for parents.
- Healthdirect: plain-English information for all ages.