Question - Mental health

1. What Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment and diagnosis services are offered for free by the ACT Government for children under 16 years old.
2. What ADHD support services are offered for free by the ACT Government for children under 16 years old who are diagnosed with ADHD.
3. What ADHD assessment and diagnosis services are offered for free by the ACT Government for people over the age of 16 years old.
4. What ADHD support services are offered for free by the ACT Government for people over the age of 16 years old who are diagnosed with ADHD.
5. How do school counsellors provide supports to students with ADHD.
6. Are school counsellors required to have qualifications specifically related to ADHD treatment and support.
7. How long is the public waiting list for each ADHD support service offered by the ACT Government.

(1) In the ACT, assessment and diagnosis for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is provided by:

- Enhanced Child Health Services for children up to the age of 12; and

- Community Paediatric and Child Health Service for children up to 16 years of age.

(2) Community Paediatrics provides ongoing support for children and young people up to 16 years of age. 

CAMHS provides mental health assessment and support to young people who have been diagnosed with ADHD, who are experiencing moderate to severe mental illness in addition to their ADHD diagnosis. 

(3) There is no publicly funded service for the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD for consumers between the ages of 16 and 18 years in the ACT.

CAMHS provides mental health assessment and support to young people up to the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with ADHD, who are experiencing moderate to severe mental illness in addition to their ADHD diagnosis. 

The Access Mental Health team currently provides initial ADHD assessment services for patients aged 18 years and over.

(4) Community Recovery Services teams provide a three yearly ADHD authority script review for patients aged 18 years and over.

(5) The Education Directorate’s School Psychology Service, along with the Allied Health Service, work alongside teachers in the provision of reasonable adjustments for students and are available to attend schools, observe individual students, and provide expert advice to support students with ADHD. 

Schools work with families and students to consult about, and implement, these reasonable adjustments. Examples of adjustments include breaking down tasks into segments, the use of visual timetables, clearly articulated daily routines, support during transition times, access to sensory items, and movement breaks.  The classroom environment is also considered and modified, if necessary, and sensory spaces are available within schools. 

School-based staff have access to a TQI accredited professional learning suite “Understanding ADHD”. The course aims to provide teachers with an understanding of ADHD and its impact on student learning. 

Where families are already working with private allied health professionals, schools work with these services to incorporate their input into classroom routines and student Individual Learning Plans.  Schools also facilitate private therapy sessions at school, during school hours, if this is desired by the family. 

(6) There are no specific qualifications for school psychologists related to ADHD treatment and support. 

(7) The approximate wait time to access support services is 40 weeks (280 days).