ADHD
A different pattern of attention, energy and impulse. Often brings creativity and deep focus on what they love.
Neurodiversity · Understanding and support · For whānau
Every mind works differently. Some just need us to understand how.
You don't need a diagnosis to get support. Start with a conversation with a registered psychologist. We'll help you understand what's going on for your child and work out what actually helps.
Where to start
You don't need to be certain to begin.
Most parents arrive with a question, not a diagnosis. A child who finds school harder than it looks. A sense that something is different, without knowing what to do with it. That's the right time to talk to us. Sometimes the next step is a full assessment. Sometimes it's some strategies, reassurance, or knowing what to ask the school for. No pressure either way.
What you might be noticing
A few of the reasons parents come to us.
Here are a few of the most common. They often overlap, so what you're seeing may not fit one neat box. You don't need to work that out before you talk to us.
Autism
A different way of experiencing people and the world. Strengths often include focus, honesty and detailed knowledge.
Learning differences
Difficulty with reading, spelling, writing or numbers that is out of step with a child's ability elsewhere. Not about effort or intelligence.
Giftedness alongside a neurodivergent profile
Some children are both highly capable and neurodivergent. That combination can be hard to read from the outside.
Not sure? Start with a parent check
A free parent check helps you make sense of what you're seeing.
A short set of research-based questions you complete about your child. It's a screening tool, not a diagnosis: it helps you decide whether a conversation is worthwhile. Your answers stay in your browser, and you can print the result to take to your GP.
Pick by your child's age and what you're noticing. Where ages overlap, choose the concern that fits best, or do both. A low score doesn't rule things out, particularly for girls, who are missed far more often. For a child under 4, or preschool concerns, start with your GP or your Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse.
Child ADHD parent check
A parent-completed screen of your child's attention and activity, at home.
Age 6 to 12 · about 5 minutes · not a diagnosis
Start the ADHD parent checkChild Autism Screen
A parent-completed screen of how a younger child relates to people and the world.
Age 4 to 11 · 2 minutes · not a diagnosis
Start the autism screenTeen Autism Screen
A parent-completed screen of how a teenager relates to people and the world.
Age 12 to 15 · 2 minutes · not a diagnosis
Start the autism screenSupport that doesn't wait for a label
You don't need a diagnosis to get help.
A diagnosis can be validating, and it can open doors. But it isn't a prerequisite for support. We help you understand what your child is experiencing, how to talk to their school, what adjustments to ask for, and how to support them at home without burning yourself out. We can also work directly with your child or teenager if that would help.
Health insurance
If you have cover through Unimed, up to four sessions may be covered. We have a relationship with Unimed and can bill them directly when that is part of your policy. Ask us when you get in touch.
If assessment is the right step
A clear process, and no surprises.
An assessment is a conversation, not an exam. Your psychologist takes a careful history, uses the right tools, and, with your consent, gathers what you see at home and what school sees, so the picture is complete. You come away with a clear answer and a written report that can support adjustments at school. We'll always be honest about whether a formal assessment is actually needed. For some school support — such as NCEA Special Assessment Conditions, like extra time or a reader-writer — a school can often apply using its own evidence, so a full paid report isn't always required. We'll tell you when that's the case.
Why girls are so often missed
A low screening score is not the end of the story.
Autistic and ADHD girls are frequently identified late, or never. Many learn to mask, and the standard tools were largely built around a male presentation. So your daughter can look fine on paper while working far harder than anyone realises just to keep up. If that sounds familiar, a careful assessment looks at how things actually show up in real life, including the parts she has learned to hide.
How this works
From first question to the right support.
1
Start with a conversation
Tell us what you're noticing. Complete a screener first if it helps.
2
A first appointment
We talk it through, screen if useful, and help you understand what it might mean.
3
A plan that fits
Support sessions, a referral for assessment, help for a school conversation, or simply knowing you're on the right track.
Who you are working with
Registered psychologists who see the whole child.
Everyone who does this work is a registered psychologist with real experience across childhood and adolescence, and we lead with your child's strengths. We're a New Zealand practice, we respect how your whānau and your culture shape things, and your information is held privately in Aotearoa.
Common questions
Questions parents ask us.
What's the difference between a screener and an assessment?
A screener is a short set of questions that flags whether a pattern fits a neurodivergent profile. It isn't a diagnosis. An assessment is a full process with a psychologist that produces a written report. The screener helps decide whether an assessment is worth it.
My child's teacher has raised something. Where do we start?
Get in touch first. It helps you understand what you're dealing with before you go back to the school, so you can have a more informed conversation about what your child needs.
Can we get support without a formal assessment?
Yes. Many families find practical support and strategies are exactly what they need, with no formal diagnosis.
Is it covered by insurance?
If you have Unimed cover, up to four sessions may be covered. We have a relationship with Unimed and can bill them directly when your policy includes it. Cover varies by policy, so it's worth checking with Unimed too, and we can help you work out what applies.
Do you work with children directly, or just parents?
Both. Depending on your child's age and needs, we can work with you, with your child, or with both.
Can you prescribe medication?
No. In New Zealand medication is prescribed by a doctor. We assess and diagnose, and refer on to a paediatrician or psychiatrist if that's the right step, with your report to support it.
What if we want a full assessment now?
Just tell us when you get in touch and we'll start there.
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