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Find answers to common questions about the assessment process, including how it works, what to expect, and the steps involved in ADHD, autism, and AuDHD assessments. If you need further guidance or would like to begin the process, use the buttons below to send an enquiry or request an Initial Clinical Assessment.
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Answers to Common Questions About the Assessment Process
Here you’ll find answers to common questions about ADHD and autism assessments, including the process, what to expect, and how everything works at OpenMind. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, you are welcome to get in touch for further guidance.
Clear answers to help you feel informed and confident before starting your assessment.
What is OpenMind Neurodevelopmental Assessments?
OpenMind Neurodevelopmental Assessments is a private adult ADHD, autism, and combined AuDHD assessment service in Ireland.
The service is clinician-led, personalised, and focused on careful assessment rather than rushed or questionnaire-only conclusions. OpenMind provides adult ADHD and autism assessments for adults aged 18+.
How does the assessment process work?
The process begins with an enquiry or Initial Clinical Assessment booking.
Once the Initial Clinical Assessment is booked and the fee has been paid, you will receive screening and background forms to complete before your appointment.
The Initial Clinical Assessment explores your concerns, developmental history, current difficulties, mental health history, overlapping factors, and whether a full ADHD, autism, or combined AuDHD assessment is clinically appropriate.
If a full assessment is recommended, you then complete the clinical assessment interview. After this, you receive feedback, a diagnostic formulation, recommendations, and a written diagnostic report.
Why is an Initial Clinical Assessment needed?
The Initial Clinical Assessment is an important clinical step before moving into a full assessment.
ADHD and autism can overlap with each other and with anxiety, trauma, depression, OCD, substance use, sleep difficulties, cognitive concerns, previous mental health diagnoses, personality-related difficulties, and other developmental or psychological factors.
The Initial Clinical Assessment helps decide whether an ADHD assessment, autism assessment, or combined AuDHD assessment is the right next step, whether another pathway may be more suitable, or whether face-to-face, extended assessment, or onward referral should be considered.
Why is a screening questionnaire not enough to decide on a full assessment?
Screening questionnaires can be useful, but they are not diagnostic.
A questionnaire can highlight possible ADHD or autism traits, but it cannot fully assess developmental history, functional impact, mental health history, masking, collateral information, or alternative explanations.
ADHD and autism can also overlap with anxiety, trauma, depression, OCD, substance use, sleep difficulties, cognitive concerns, previous mental health diagnoses, and other developmental or psychological factors.
At OpenMind, screening forms are used to support the Initial Clinical Assessment. They help make the appointment focused and clinically useful, but they are not used on their own to decide whether a full assessment is the right next step.
The decision to proceed to a full assessment is based on the Initial Clinical Assessment, screening information, clinical judgement, and the overall clinical picture.
What does the full assessment involve?
The full assessment involves a clinical assessment interview focused on your current presentation and developmental history.
Depending on the pathway, the assessment may include clinical interview, developmental history, ADHD or autism rating scales, psychometric information, collateral information, sensory or executive functioning measures, and structured tools such as adapted use of ADOS-2 and ADI-R, or QbCheck where appropriate.
The assessment is completed in line with DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, Psychological Society of Ireland professional practice standards, and careful clinical formulation.
Can assessments be completed online?
Many adult ADHD and autism assessments can be completed online when the presentation is suitable and enough information is available.
However, OpenMind is not an online-only model. A face-to-face or extended assessment may be recommended where there is complex mental health history, significant trauma or PTSD, previous mental health diagnoses, significant cognitive or learning concerns, personality-related difficulties, self-harming behaviours or suicide risk, conflicting previous opinions, or a more complex clinical presentation.
The aim is to choose the assessment format that gives the clearest and most clinically reliable picture.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You do not need a GP referral to make an enquiry or book an Initial Clinical Assessment.
You can contact OpenMind directly through the enquiry form, by email, or by phone.
If relevant, you may still choose to involve your GP or another professional later in the process.
Will I receive a diagnostic report?
Yes. If you complete a full ADHD assessment, autism assessment, or combined AuDHD assessment, you will receive a written diagnostic report.
The report explains the information gathered, diagnostic reasoning, assessment outcome, and recommendations. Where a diagnosis is given, the report explains the basis for that conclusion. Where a diagnosis is not given, the report explains the clinical reasoning and provides recommendations where appropriate.
The report will be shared securely and confidentially.
Does OpenMind prescribe ADHD medication?
No. OpenMind does not prescribe medication and does not provide medication titration or ongoing medical treatment.
If a diagnosis is made and you would like to explore medication or other medical follow-up, you may be referred to an associated GP for further discussion. This may be particularly relevant following an ADHD diagnosis, although GP follow-up may also be helpful after an autism assessment depending on your individual circumstances.
Any GP appointment, prescribing decision, treatment recommendation, or ongoing medical care is separate from the assessment process and remains entirely at the discretion of the GP. A diagnosis does not guarantee that medication will be recommended or prescribed.
Where appropriate, your assessment report may include recommendations to help inform discussions with your GP or other relevant healthcare professionals.
How much does assessment cost?
The Initial Clinical Assessment fee is €195.
For a full adult autism assessment, the total fee is €995. The €195 Initial Clinical Assessment fee is included within this total and is deducted from the remaining balance if you proceed.
For a full adult ADHD assessment, the total fee is €995. The €195 Initial Clinical Assessment fee is included within this total and is deducted from the remaining balance if you proceed.
For a combined AuDHD dual assessment, covering both adult ADHD and adult autism, the total fee is €1,990. The €195 Initial Clinical Assessment fee is included within this total and is deducted from the remaining balance if you proceed.
If you have already completed and paid for an ADHD or autism assessment with OpenMind and later proceed to the other assessment pathway, a second Initial Clinical Assessment is not usually required. In this case, the Initial Clinical Assessment fee is not charged again and is deducted from the cost of the second assessment.
What if a full assessment is not recommended?
If a full ADHD or autism assessment is not considered the right next step, you will receive clear professional guidance and recommendations.
This may include advice about another assessment pathway, further information needed, onward referral, or a more appropriate service for your needs.
The aim is not to push everyone into a full assessment. The aim is to recommend the right next step.
How do I contact OpenMind?
You can contact OpenMind by using the secure enquiry form on the Contact page.
You can also contact the service by email or phone:
Email: info@openmindassessments.ie
Phone: 085 836 2890
The enquiry form is not for urgent or crisis support. If you are at immediate risk or need urgent mental health support, please contact emergency services, your GP, or your nearest emergency department.
Book an Initial Clinical Assessment
The first step is to contact us to make an enquiry or request an Initial Clinical Assessment. This provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions about the assessment process, and explore whether an ADHD, autism, or AuDHD assessment may be the right next step. You will be guided through the process and told what to expect moving forward.
Clinician-Led Assessments
Evidence-Based Approach
Personalised Feedback
Supportive Assessment Process