Frequently Asked Questions

Consult your GP, paediatrician or psychologist about consulting a child and adolescent psychiatrist if your child shows persistent signs of anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, ADHD symptoms, or significant changes in mood or behavior. Other indicators include difficulties at school, social withdrawal, sleep problems, eating changes, or concerns about autism or developmental delays. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes.

Our clinic can typically see children within 6-8 weeks for ADHD assessment via telehealth across Australia. This compares favourably to many paediatricians who currently have wait times of 6 to 18 months, with some areas reporting waits up to 2 years. If your child is struggling and you need answers sooner, a child psychiatrist may be the faster pathway.

Both paediatricians and child psychiatrists can diagnose and treat ADHD. The key difference is often wait times - paediatrician waitlists are typically 6-18 months, while our clinic can see children within 6-8 weeks. Child psychiatrists also specialise exclusively in mental health, providing focused expertise in ADHD, anxiety, and related conditions. Ask your GP for a referral to the pathway that best suits your child's needs and timeline.

A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MBBS/MD) with specialized training in mental health who can prescribe medication and provide comprehensive medical assessments. A child psychologist has a degree in psychology and focuses on therapy and behavioral interventions but cannot prescribe medication. Both work together to provide holistic care.

You can get a referral from your GP, paediatrician, or other healthcare provider. The referral should include relevant medical history, current concerns, and any previous assessments. With a valid referral, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Some psychiatrists also accept private appointments without referrals.

Child and adolescent psychiatrists typically treat patients from age 5 up to 18 years old. Some may also see young adults up to 25 years old for continuation of care or transition services. The approach is tailored to each developmental stage.

A comprehensive ADHD assessment typically takes 1-2 hours and may require multiple appointments. This includes clinical interviews with parents and child, rating scales from teachers and parents, developmental history review, and sometimes cognitive testing. The process ensures accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.

Not all children require medication. Treatment plans are individualized and may include therapy, behavioral interventions, family support, and environmental modifications. When medication is recommended, it should always be discussed thoroughly with families, considering benefits, risks, and alternatives.

Costs vary by provider. With a GP referral, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Care Plan. Some psychiatrists offer payment plans and some bulk billing options are available.

Bring your referral letter, Medicare card, any previous assessments or reports, school reports, current medications list, and a summary of your concerns. It's helpful to write down specific examples of behaviors or symptoms you've observed.

Explain in age-appropriate terms that you're seeing a doctor who helps children with feelings and behaviors. Emphasize that it's not because they're "bad" but to help them feel better. Let them know they can ask questions and that you'll be involved in the process.

Include adetailed medical and developmental history, specific behavioral concerns with examples, duration and severity of symptoms, current medications, previous treatments or assessments, family mental health history, and any safety concerns. Specify urgency level and include recent school reports if available.

Common referral reasons include ADHD assessment and management, autism spectrum disorder evaluation, anxiety and depression in children/adolescents, behavioral problems and conduct issues, eating disorders, trauma and PTSD, school refusal, and complex cases requiring specialized assessment.

Consider referral when children show persistent inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity affecting multiple settings (home, school, social) for at least 6 months. Symptoms should be developmentally inappropriate and cause functional impairment. Early identification improves outcomes.

Key indicators include social communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors or interests, sensory sensitivities, and developmental delays. Use screening tools like M-CHAT for toddlers. Any concerns about social development or communication warrant specialist assessment.