Understanding You. Not Just the Diagnosis.
The ADHD assessment journey is designed to be thorough, respectful, and person-centred — giving you clarity about whether you meet the criteria for ADHD, and if so, how it has shaped your life. Below is a step-by-step guide outlining what to expect.
ADHD AIMS Pathway
At ADHD Life Guide, we follow the AIMS pathway — a structured, evidence-based approach to ADHD care that supports you from diagnosis through to long-term wellbeing. AIMS stands for Assessment, Intervention, Monitoring, and Step Up/Down, capturing the full journey of tailored support. Each stage builds on the last, ensuring your care is comprehensive, responsive, and aligned with your goals.
Clarity begins with understanding
The Assessment process is designed to help you find the answers that you have been looking for.
Referral
The first step is reaching out. Obtain a referral letter from your GP, this will open the door to clarity.
Diagnostic Appointment
We gather the pieces of your puzzle to paint the picture from your perspective. Consultant - F2F / TH - $500, $238 (OOP)
Collateral Information
We gather insights from the people who know you best. Your world, reflected through trusted voices. Life Guide - Telehealth - $125
Collateral Info Discussion
Based on the collated information from your nominated loved ones, the diagnosis is confirmed (or not). Consultant - Telehealth - $0(BB)
Baseline Inventory
Measuring where you are, so we can track where you're going. This is the starting point for growth. Life Guide - Telehealth - $125
Choice of Intervention
Based on your scores, a collaborative decision will be made regarding next steps, coaching and / or medication. Consultant - Telehealth - $0 (BB)
Physical Health Check
Mind and body, we care for both. We request your GP for a cardiac work up as groundwork for prescribing. GP - F2F - Varies based on practice
Prescribing Appointment
Personalised treatment, built on shared medication decisions - next steps based on your preferences. Consultant - F2F / TH - $300, $182 (OOP)
Monitoring Session 1
At week 1, post medication initiation, your Consultant will do a Telehealth check in to monitor side effects. Consultant - Telehealth - $0 (BB)
Monitoring Session 2
At week 1, post medication initiation, your Consultant will do a Telehealth check in to monitor side effects. Consultant - Telehealth - $0 (BB)
1st Life Guide Session
FLOURISH: You begin your journey of growth and focus as we help you tune understanding into action. Life Guide - F2F - 125$
1st Titration Appointment
We optimise your medication dosage, based on your response and side effects. Consultant - Telehealth - $200, $113 (OOP)
Monitoring Session 3
2-3 weeks after a dose increase your Consultant will do a telehealth check in to monitor side effects. Consultant - Telehealth - $0 (BB)
2nd Life Guide Session
FLOURISH: You proceed with making life style modifications, aided by the handbooks that are provided. Life Guide - F2F - $125
2nd Titration Appointment
We optimise your medication dosage, based on your response and side effects. Consultant - Telehealth - $200, $113 (OOP)
Monitoring Session 4
2-3 weeks after a dose increase your Consultant will do a telehealth check in to monitor side effects. Consultant - Telehealth - $0 (BB)
Your Assessment
The ADHD assessment process is a stepwise journey designed to be clear, compassionate, and comprehensive. Each step plays an important role in building an accurate understanding of your experience, so we can offer care that’s tailored, safe, and truly supportive.
~ Reach Out
The first step is obtaining a referral letter from your General Practitioner for an ADHD diagnostic appointment. This can be sent directly by your GP or submitted by you on their behalf. Once we receive your referral, our reception team will contact you to schedule the next available appointment.
Please ensure your GP uses the following phrase: “Referred for ADHD assessment, under Medicare item 291 (one-off assessment) or item 296 (ongoing psychiatrist care) as clinically appropriate.” This single phrase allows us to place you into the correct Medicare pathway once your assessment is complete.
⏳ Wait Times:
We aim to see all new clients within two months. However, due to high demand, wait times may vary. Our friendly staff can give you an accurate estimate once your referral is received. If you need to be seen urgently, we can place you on our cancellation list for short-notice appointments.
~ Answers to Your Questions
Your diagnostic appointment will be with Dr Manaan Kar Ray, a Consultant Psychiatrist with specialist expertise in adult ADHD. This appointment is both detailed and compassionate, aiming to build a full picture of your life — not just your symptoms.
During the assessment, Dr Kar Ray will explore:
- Your current symptoms, including how they affect different domains of life (e.g., work, relationships, wellbeing)
- Your life history, from childhood through adulthood, to build a timeline of how ADHD may have shown up over time
- Your family and support network, including any genetic or relational patterns
- Your experiences with education, work, relationships, and daily functioning
- Any history of alcohol or substance use (including self-medication)
- Your mental and physical health history, including common co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression
- Any contact with legal systems or challenges with impulsivity
A structured DSM-5 assessment for ADHD will be conducted, focusing on symptom presence, frequency, and impact. At the end of the session, you will be clearly informed whether you meet the criteria for ADHD.
📄 If you do not have ADHD:
We will provide a comprehensive letter to your GP summarising the assessment and our findings. No further steps are required.
💲0 (Medicare funded if referral is appropriately worded allowing for Medicare item 291 to be billed)
✅ If you do have ADHD:
We proceed with a structured care pathway to complete your assessment baseline and prepare for intervention.
💲500 ($237.90 out of pocket expense, $262.10 Medicare rebate under Medicare item $296)
~ 360 View from People in Your Life
We gather insights from two people who know you well — such as a parent, sibling, partner, or close friend/colleague. Their observations help us understand how ADHD presents across settings and over time. If available, school reports or other historical documents can also be helpful. We appreciate that many adults have not kept their early years school reports or the report cards do not appropriately capture or reflect the challenges due to ADHD (particularly in females). This makes the collateral information collation even more important.
✅ The collateral information collation will be done by our ADHD Life Guide from 2 nominated loved ones using telehealth - 💲125
✅ This will be followed by a telehealth consultation with our Consultant Psychiatrist to decide whether the assessment process should continue to the next step, baseline inventory - 💲0 (Medicare Funded)
Please note, that for some individuals the assessment process is concluded at this stage due to absence of evidence for in collateral information.
~ Your Progress Tracker
To prepare for monitoring and future treatment, a baseline inventory will be administered. Scores are collated across 7 domains of life. The domains cover all the principal symptoms of ADHD like inattention, impulsivity, over/underactivitiy, disorganisation as well as impact on funcitioning at home, work and in relationships — helping us track your progress over time.
✅ The baseline inventory will be conducted by our ADHD Life Guide using telehealth - 💲125
✅ This will be followed by a telehealth consultation with our Consultant Psychiatrist to decide whether the baseline scores warrant medication prescribing - 💲0 (Medicare Funded)
Please note, that for some individuals with scores in the mild to moderate range it may be better to undergo life style modification and ADHD coaching rather than taking medication. This decision is made collaboratively with you.
~ Cardiac Workup by Your GP
If at the end of step 4 a decision is made to pursue the medication route, step 5 may be necessary. To ensure you are safe to begin pharmacological treatment, your GP will conduct a physical health review, especially for those in mid-to-later adulthood. This may include:
- Cardiovascular checks (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate)
- Review of any existing medical conditions or medications
This step ensures your safety and readiness for stimulant or non-stimulant medication, should that be recommended.
Pricing Plans
At ADHD Life Guide, we’re committed to providing high-quality, specialist ADHD care at a more affordable rate than many private services, because we understand that medical costs are significant and everyone deserves access to support that helps them thrive.
Diagnostic Appointment
$500
for Initial AssessmentThe diagnostic appointment is a one-on-one consultation with Dr Manaan Kar Ray, where a comprehensive assessment is conducted to determine whether you meet the criteria for ADHD. This includes a detailed exploration of your symptoms, life history to provide a clear and confident diagnosis.
- Comprehensive
- Confidential
- Collaborative
Collateral Collation
$125
for 2 Loved OnesCollateral collation gathers insights from two people who know you well — such as a partner, parent, or close friend — to understand how ADHD presents across different settings. Their input helps build a fuller picture of your strengths and challenges, supporting a more robust diagnosis.
- Personalized
- Wholistic
- 360 Feedback
Baseline Inventory
$125
/ inventoryThe baseline inventory involves completing structured rating scales with our Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to assess focus, mood, and overall functioning. Scores are collated across 7 domains. These scores form an important starting point for tracking progress over time and guiding future care.
- Evidence Based
- Supports Decision Making
- Supports Progress Tracking
Any Questions
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 6PM
Sat - Sun: Variable
Brisbane North Medical Specialists,
15 Dallas Parade, Keperra, QLD 4054
(07) 5221 3489
reception@bnms.com.au