Can a GP Do an ADHD Assessment? What Parents Should Know

If you are wondering, “Can a GP do an ADHD assessment?”, you are not alone. There have been recent changes to ADHD diagnostic pathways across Australia, and rules regarding who can assess and diagnose the condition differ from state to state. 

This blog explains what a GP can do, what a psychologist brings to the process, and how the two roles work together. Understanding how each professional contributes can help you make a confident, informed decision for your child.

The Role of a GP in ADHD Assessment

A GP can play several important roles in your child's ADHD journey, including:

• Listen to your concerns and review your child's medical history

• Check for other factors that can affect focus and behaviour, such as sleep difficulties, anxiety, low mood, or related concerns 

• Refer your child to a psychologist, paediatrician, or psychiatrist for further assessment

• Some GPs can conduct an ADHD assessment depending on the age of the child

• Some GPs can manage and monitor medication, where this falls within their scope of practice

• Provide continuity of care over time

A GP often helps rule out other explanations before an assessment proceeds. This is a valuable part of the process, because problems such as poor sleep or anxiety can produce symptoms that overlap with ADHD or make them worse.

The Role of a Psychologist in ADHD Assessment

Psychologists are highly trained and qualified to diagnose ADHD. A psychological assessment looks well beyond surface symptoms to build a clear, evidence-based picture of how your child thinks, learns, and copes.

A psychologist can assess:

• Developmental history and early milestones

• How your child functions at school, at home, and in social settings

• Attention, memory, planning, impulse control, and emotional regulation

• Cognitive and academic skills, using standardised testing

• Whether other conditions or learning difficulties are also present

ADHD often appears alongside specific learning disorders such as dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (maths). A thorough assessment can identify these alongside ADHD, giving you a complete understanding of your child's learning needs.

Collaborative Approach to ADHD Assessment

A GP may review your child's symptoms, check for other causes, manage medication themselves or provide a referral to a paediatrician for medication, and coordinate other referrals. A psychologist provides a detailed assessment of attention, behaviour, learning history, and how symptoms affect daily life.

These roles are complementary. In many cases, the best outcome comes from both professionals working together. The GP looks after the medical aspects, while the psychologist provides an in-depth assessment of how ADHD presents for your child and how it affects them at home and at school.

This collaborative approach helps ensure that both the medical and psychological aspects of ADHD are appropriately assessed and addressed.

What a Child's ADHD Assessment Usually Involves With a Psychologist

A child ADHD assessment involves a structured process rather than a single consultation. While details vary between providers, an assessment generally includes:

• A detailed clinical interview with parents to gather developmental and behavioural history

• A review of symptoms and how they show up at school and at home

• Input from teachers and parents

• Cognitive and executive function testing, covering areas such as working memory, processing speed, and impulse control

• Screening for other conditions, including learning difficulties

• A clear written report with findings and practical recommendations

Participating GPs

Each state and territory manages its own ADHD diagnosis framework. In South Australia, some GPs who have undergone specialised training can assess, diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for ADHD in children aged 8 and above. The rules vary across the country.  It’s important to make your own enquiries with your GP.

Common Myths Cleared

A few misunderstandings often cause unnecessary worry.

• “A GP and a psychologist are competing options.” This is not true. They play different but complementary roles.

• “ADHD is only a childhood condition.” ADHD begins in childhood, but it can continue into adulthood. An adult ADHD assessment can help identify ADHD in adults and guide appropriate support and management.

• “If one practitioner cannot diagnose my child, the process stops.” It does not. A referral allows for the assessment to be transferred to the right professional.

• “Medication is the only treatment.” Medication is one option. Psychological strategies, school support, and practical skills all play an important role.

The Next Step

So, can a GP do an ADHD assessment? In some states, a specially trained GP can. However, for a comprehensive understanding of your child's attention, behaviour, and learning, a psychologist can provide a thorough and detailed assessment.

If you are concerned that your child may have ADHD, you do not have to navigate it alone. Learn more about our child ADHD assessment process, or reach out today to book an assessment and take the next step with confidence.