Child ADHD, Autism & Dyslexia Assessments
Helping You Better Understand Your Child
When your child is struggling with concentration, learning, behaviour, communication or everyday routines, it can be difficult to know what is going on — or what kind of help they need.
At Counselling & Therapy NZ, we help parents and children better understand difficulties that may be associated with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other learning, behavioural or developmental differences.
Assessment can help identify a child's strengths, challenges and support needs and provide families with clearer direction about what to do next.
ADHD Assessments for Children
ADHD can affect much more than a child's ability to concentrate.
Parents may notice difficulties with:
Concentration and maintaining attention
Following instructions
Completing schoolwork or everyday tasks
Organisation and remembering things
Impulsivity
Sitting still or regulating activity levels
Emotional regulation
Frustration and anger
Routines and transitions
Friendships and social situations
Behaviour at home or school
ADHD does not look the same in every child. Some children are noticeably active or impulsive, while others primarily struggle with attention, organisation or daydreaming.
A comprehensive assessment considers the broader picture rather than relying on one symptom or questionnaire.
New Zealand clinical guidance emphasises that ADHD assessment should draw on information from multiple sources and consider how symptoms affect the child across different settings, such as home and school.
Find out More: ADHD Assessment for Children NZ
Autism Assessments & Support for Children
Some children experience differences in communication, social interaction, sensory processing, routines, interests or emotional regulation.
Parents sometimes begin wondering about autism when their child:
Finds social situations particularly difficult
Has difficulty understanding social cues
Has strong or highly focused interests
Becomes distressed when routines change
Experiences sensory sensitivities
Finds certain sounds, textures, foods or environments overwhelming
Has difficulty communicating their feelings or needs
Experiences frequent overwhelm or shutdowns
Appears to cope at school but becomes overwhelmed at home
Has ongoing difficulties forming or maintaining friendships
Understanding these patterns can help parents move away from simply asking, "Why is my child behaving like this?" towards understanding what their child may be experiencing and what support could help.
Find out More: Autism Assessment for Children NZ
Dyslexia & Learning Assessments
If your child is intelligent and capable but consistently struggles with reading, spelling, writing or processing written information, it may be useful to investigate whether a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia is contributing.
Signs parents may notice include:
Difficulty learning to read
Slow or effortful reading
Difficulty with spelling
Confusing letters or sounds
Difficulty remembering written information
Avoiding reading or writing
Becoming frustrated with homework
A significant difference between verbal ability and written work
Losing confidence at school
Saying they are "stupid" despite having clear strengths in other areas
The purpose of assessment isn't simply to give a child a label.
It is to develop a clearer understanding of how they learn and what support may help them succeed.
Find out More: Dyslexia Assessment for Children NZ
Could It Be ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia — Or Something Else?
This is one of the reasons a thorough assessment can be valuable.
Difficulties with attention, learning, behaviour or emotional regulation can have many possible explanations, and children can experience more than one difficulty at the same time.
For example, difficulties may be associated with:
ADHD
Autism
Dyslexia or learning differences
Anxiety
Emotional distress
Sleep difficulties
Sensory differences
School difficulties
Family changes
Social or friendship problems
Stress or trauma
Rather than making assumptions based on one behaviour, we look at the wider picture.
What Happens During a Child Assessment?
The exact process depends on your child's age, needs and the type of assessment being undertaken.
It may include:
Parent consultation
We start by understanding your concerns, your child's history, their strengths and the difficulties you have noticed.Information about your child
Relevant developmental, behavioural, learning and family information may be gathered.Child assessment
Your practitioner may meet with your child and use appropriate assessment methods and standardised tools.Information from different settings
Where relevant and with appropriate consent, information from school, teachers or other professionals may contribute to understanding the difficulties.Feedback and recommendations
We discuss the findings with you and help identify appropriate next steps and support.
Assessment Is About Understanding Strengths Too
Children who experience ADHD, autism, dyslexia or other neurodevelopmental differences are much more than the difficulties that brought them to assessment.
Your child may also have considerable strengths in areas such as creativity, problem-solving, humour, imagination, specialist knowledge, visual thinking or seeing situations differently from others.
Our aim is to help families develop a fuller understanding of the child — their strengths as well as the areas where they need additional support.
What Happens After an Assessment?
Understanding what is happening is only the beginning.
Depending on your child's needs, recommendations may include:
Individual support for your child
Parent support
Behavioural strategies
Emotional regulation strategies
School-based support
Learning strategies
Communication strategies
Support with routines and transitions
Referral to another health or educational professional where appropriate
Counselling & Therapy NZ can also work with parents and children after assessment to help families turn recommendations into practical changes in everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD, Autism & Dyslexia Assessments for Children
Parents often have questions about whether their child's difficulties with attention, learning, behaviour, communication or emotional regulation could be related to ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another developmental or learning difference.
Below are answers to some of the questions families commonly ask about child assessments and getting support in New Zealand.
How do I know if my child has ADHD?
ADHD can look different from one child to another. Some children are noticeably hyperactive or impulsive, while others mainly experience difficulties with concentration, organisation, remembering instructions or completing tasks.
Possible signs can include:
Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
Being easily distracted
Frequently losing or forgetting things
Difficulty following multi-step instructions
Starting tasks but struggling to finish them
Impulsive behaviour
Excessive activity or restlessness
Difficulty waiting or taking turns
Interrupting others frequently
Problems with organisation and time management
Strong emotional reactions or frustration
Difficulties with routines or transitions
Problems at school despite having the ability to do the work
Having some of these behaviours does not automatically mean that a child has ADHD. Many children experience attention, behavioural or emotional difficulties for other reasons.
A proper assessment looks at the child's overall development, behaviour and functioning rather than relying on one symptom.
What age can a child be assessed for ADHD?
There is no single age at which every child should be assessed.
ADHD symptoms begin during childhood, but whether an assessment is appropriate depends on the child's age, development, symptoms and the impact those difficulties are having on everyday life.
For younger children in particular, professionals need to consider what would normally be expected for the child's developmental stage.
If difficulties with attention, impulsivity, activity levels or emotional regulation are persistent and are significantly affecting your child's home life, education or relationships, it may be worth discussing your concerns with an appropriately qualified professional.
You do not have to wait until your child is seriously struggling before seeking advice.
What happens during a child ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment involves much more than simply completing an online questionnaire or checking a list of symptoms.
The assessment process will depend on the professional undertaking it and your child's individual circumstances, but may include:
A detailed discussion with parents or caregivers
Your child's developmental and medical history
Information about behaviour at home
Information about learning and behaviour at school
Standardised assessment tools or questionnaires
Discussion or assessment with the child
Information from teachers or other professionals, where appropriate and with consent
Consideration of other possible explanations for the difficulties
Consideration of whether difficulties occur in more than one setting
The aim is to develop a comprehensive picture of your child's strengths, difficulties and everyday functioning.
Can ADHD and dyslexia occur together?
Yes. A child can experience both ADHD and dyslexia.
ADHD primarily affects areas such as attention, impulse control and executive functioning, while dyslexia is associated with specific difficulties involving reading and related language skills.
When both occur together, school can become particularly challenging.
For example, a child may have difficulty reading or spelling while also finding it difficult to concentrate, organise their work or remember instructions.
This is one reason assessment should consider the whole child, rather than assuming that every difficulty has the same cause.
What are the signs of dyslexia in children?
Signs can vary according to a child's age and stage of learning.
Parents or teachers might notice:
Difficulty learning to read
Reading that remains slow or effortful
Difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words
Persistent spelling difficulties
Difficulty remembering sequences of letters or sounds
Avoiding reading or writing
Taking much longer than expected to complete literacy tasks
Becoming frustrated with homework
Strong verbal abilities but significantly weaker written work
Losing confidence in their academic ability
Difficulties with reading or spelling do not automatically mean a child has dyslexia. Assessment can help identify the nature of a child's learning difficulties and the type of support that may be useful.
How do I get my child assessed for autism in New Zealand?
If you have concerns about your child's development, communication, social interaction, sensory experiences or behaviour, you can discuss these concerns with a health professional or appropriately qualified assessment provider.
Depending on your child's age and circumstances, assessment pathways can involve different health and developmental professionals.
An autism assessment generally considers a child's development and behaviour across a range of areas rather than relying on one characteristic.
If you are unsure where to begin, you can contact Counselling & Therapy NZ to discuss your concerns and whether our assessment service is appropriate for your child or whether another referral pathway would better meet their needs.
What are possible signs of autism in children?
Autism can present very differently between children.
Some possible signs may include differences involving:
Social communication and interaction
Understanding social cues
Developing or maintaining friendships
Strong or highly focused interests
Preference for routines or predictability
Difficulty coping with unexpected changes
Sensitivity to noise, clothing, textures, food, light or other sensory experiences
Repetitive behaviours or movements
Becoming overwhelmed in busy environments
Difficulty identifying or communicating emotions and needs
Some children may mask or hide difficulties in certain environments, which can make their needs less obvious to people around them.
No single behaviour establishes that a child is autistic. A comprehensive assessment considers patterns of development and behaviour more broadly.
My child behaves well at school but has meltdowns at home. Could they still need an assessment?
Possibly.
Children can behave very differently in different environments. Some children put considerable effort into managing expectations during school and become overwhelmed once they reach a familiar and safe environment.
Behaviour at home therefore shouldn't automatically be dismissed simply because teachers are not seeing the same difficulties.
An assessment can consider information from different environments and explore possible reasons for the difference.
Can girls have ADHD or autism even if they aren't disruptive at school?
Yes.
ADHD and autism don't always present as obvious disruptive behaviour.
For example, some children may appear quiet, compliant or academically capable while experiencing significant internal difficulties with attention, organisation, anxiety, social interaction or sensory overload.
This is one reason assessment considers the broader pattern of a child's experiences rather than relying solely on whether they are disruptive in a classroom.
Does my child need a diagnosis to get learning support at school in New Zealand?
Not necessarily.
A child does not always need a formal diagnosis before their learning needs can be identified and supported.
New Zealand's education system provides different forms of learning support depending on a child's individual needs.
If your child is struggling, it can be useful to speak with their teacher or school about the difficulties you have noticed and what support may be available.
An assessment can still be valuable because it may provide greater understanding of your child's particular strengths, difficulties and learning needs and help inform recommendations for support.
Does my child need a diagnosis before getting counselling or behavioural support?
No.
Children and parents can receive counselling and behavioural support without having an ADHD, autism or dyslexia diagnosis.
If your family is experiencing difficulties with behaviour, anxiety, emotional regulation, school, relationships or communication, support can focus on those difficulties regardless of whether your child has a formal diagnosis.
If assessment appears appropriate, this can be discussed separately.
Is my child's difficult behaviour a sign of ADHD or autism?
It can be associated with ADHD or autism, but difficult behaviour has many possible causes.
Behaviour can also be affected by anxiety, learning difficulties, sensory overload, frustration, family changes, school difficulties, friendship problems, stress, sleep problems or difficulties regulating emotions.
Rather than assuming that a particular behaviour means a child has a particular condition, assessment aims to understand what may be contributing to the behaviour.
Could anxiety look like ADHD in a child?
There can be overlap between different difficulties.
For example, a child experiencing anxiety may have trouble concentrating, appear restless, avoid tasks or struggle at school. These behaviours can sometimes resemble difficulties associated with ADHD.
Children may also experience more than one condition or difficulty at the same time.
A careful assessment therefore considers alternative and co-occurring explanations rather than looking only for ADHD symptoms.
What if I'm not sure whether my child needs an ADHD, autism or dyslexia assessment?
You don't need to work this out by yourself before contacting us.
Many parents know that their child is struggling but don't know whether the underlying issue involves ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, behaviour, learning difficulties or something else.
That uncertainty is a perfectly reasonable reason to seek professional advice.
The first step can simply be discussing what you have noticed and what concerns you.
Can parents get support as well as the child?
Yes.
Supporting parents can be an important part of helping children.
Depending on your family's needs, support may focus on areas such as:
Understanding your child's behaviour
Managing emotional outbursts
Developing consistent boundaries
Supporting emotional regulation
Improving routines
Communicating with your child
Responding to challenging behaviour
Supporting a neurodivergent child
Reducing parent-child conflict
Helping family life become more manageable
Counselling & Therapy NZ offers child and parent behavioural support as well as assessment services.
What happens after my child's assessment?
The next steps depend on what the assessment identifies.
Recommendations may include strategies for home, educational support, counselling, behavioural support, further specialist assessment or referral to another professional.
An assessment should not simply leave a family with a label.
The important question is:
"Now that we understand more about what is happening, what can we do to help this child?"
Our focus is on helping families understand the findings and identify practical next steps.
Have Questions About Your Child?
If you're concerned about your child's attention, behaviour, learning, reading, communication, emotional regulation or development, you don't need to know exactly what is causing the difficulty before contacting us.
Counselling & Therapy NZ can discuss your concerns, explain the assessment process and help you determine an appropriate next step.
When Should I Consider an Assessment for My Child?
You don't have to wait until things become unmanageable.
Consider talking with us if your child is experiencing ongoing difficulties with attention, learning, reading, behaviour, emotional regulation, communication, friendships or school, particularly when those difficulties are affecting their confidence or everyday life.
Sometimes parents simply know that something doesn't quite add up.
Seeking an assessment doesn't mean deciding in advance that your child has ADHD, autism or dyslexia. It means taking the concerns seriously and finding out more.
Take the Next Step
If you're wondering whether ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another difficulty could be affecting your child, contact Counselling & Therapy NZ.
We can discuss what you have noticed, whether an assessment may be appropriate and the next steps for your family.