Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that is characterised by a lack of focus, being easily distracted, hyperactive, and impulsive tendencies. It is a common childhood mental health disorder, while also present in a minority of adults. While its symptoms may be disruptive in the professional, academic, household, and relationships contexts, fortunately, there are effective treatment options and coping skills that are available for children and adults to cope with ADHD.
There are two categories for ADHD symptoms — inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
The symptoms of ADHD are not always easy to differentiate from normal inattention or impulsivity. The symptoms must be persistent and disrupt normal functioning in school, at work, or at home. Thus, it is important that an assessment is made by a licensed professional as early as possible. Then, they can recommend early intervention to minimise disruptions and improve the emotional well-being of the affected individual in the long run.
It is crucial that you consult a professional clinical psychologist who can accurately assess and diagnose ADHD. Apart from observing and interacting with your child, a clinical psychologist is able to use assessment tools (that provide scoring) to objectively determine whether there is ADHD and the severity. If required, a comprehensive report is optional for clients as some would want to use it for school placement. However, clients can still request for a comprehensive report for their own purposes. Upon being diagnosed, clinical psychologists can provide consultation to parents and the child on ways to manage the situation and symptoms, and also referrals to recommended interventive therapies such as occupational therapy, speech therapy or psychiatrists.
The first session would take 90 minutes. This involves interviewing the parents first to understand more about their child’s presented behaviours at home and the challenges that they and their child are facing. Then, the psychologist would interact with the child to observe and assess the child’s behaviour and responses. With the input from both the parents and the child, the clinical psychologist would comment on whether the child needs assessment tools (with scoring to diagnose and determine severity). An official quotation with the prices for recommended assessment tools will be sent to the client. If the client decides to proceed with the assessment tools, a next session would be set to do so.
Client attendance is compulsory for the first session, and the charges for the first session would be RM280 for 90 minutes. Depending on the severity, the clinical psychologist may or may not be able to provide an accurate diagnosis within that initial session. If a comprehensive objective test is recommended, we would send you a quotation that includes the administration fee (RM220 per hour, depending on how many assessment tools were proposed), briefing consultation fee (RM220 per hour) and the charges for the various tests and reports. The quotation will differ from client to client based on the assessment tools administered.
In the briefing session, if the assessment result shows that your child has ADHD, we would provide analysis regarding the areas needed for improvement and intervention. We would usually refer your child to professionals such occupational therapists or speech therapists who mainly focus on certain interventions.
Our clinical psychologist converses fluently in Mandarin and English.
