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Imagine this. You have finally taken the step to book an ADHD or autism assessment for yourself or your child. You have waited weeks, maybe months, to get to this point. And then your psychologist asks: “Would you like to include a cognitive testing as well?”
Your first thought might be: Do I really need that? Is it worth the extra cost? What would it actually tell me that the assessment would not already cover?
These are the questions we hear most often at Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing. And they are good questions.
Here is the honest answer: cognitive testing is not essential for every person, but for many, it is the part of the assessment that makes the biggest practical difference in their life afterwards.
Let us explain why.
A cognitive testing looks at how your brain processes information. Not whether you are “smart” or “not smart,” but how you think. It measures things like:
Think of it as a map of your thinking. Everyone’s map looks different, and that is the point. The map shows your strengths just as clearly as it shows your challenges.
Here is where it gets interesting.
Research shows that ADHD commonly affects two specific areas: working memory and processing speed (Kasper et al., 2012). That means a person with ADHD might be exceptionally bright and capable, but consistently struggle to keep track of instructions, finish tasks on time, or perform under pressure. Cognitive testing makes this visible in a way that questionnaires alone cannot.
For autism, the cognitive profile often tells a different story. A person might have strong visual and pattern-recognition skills alongside differences in verbal processing or speed. Understanding this pattern helps explain why certain environments feel overwhelming and others feel natural.
Without this information, an assessment can tell you what the diagnosis is. With it, the assessment can tell you why things have been difficult, and what specifically will help.
Consider a child who is struggling at school. The teacher says they are not paying attention. The parents are told their child is “not trying hard enough.” An ADHD assessment confirms the diagnosis.
But here is the question: what happens next?
If cognitive testing was included, the report might show that this child has strong reasoning abilities but significantly slower processing speed. That single finding changes everything. It means the child is not lazy or disengaged. They simply need more time to complete tasks. The school can provide assessment accommodations. The teacher can adjust how they deliver instructions. The parents finally understand what has been going on.
Without cognitive testing, the diagnosis is still valid, but the recommendations are more general. With it, they become specific to that child.
The same applies to adults. An adult who has spent years believing they are “disorganised” or “unmotivated” might discover through cognitive testing that their working memory has always been a challenge. That is not a character flaw. That is a brain-based difference, and there are practical strategies that can help.
At Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing, cognitive testing is not automatically included in every ADHD or autism assessment. We discuss it with every client during the initial appointment and recommend it based on individual circumstances. There is no pressure, and the decision is always yours.
That said, we particularly encourage it when:
In these situations, cognitive testing often provides the clarity that makes the difference between a general diagnosis and a genuinely useful one.
If you choose to include cognitive testing, the session takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. It involves puzzles, memory tasks, pattern recognition, and verbal questions. There is no pass or fail. Most children find it engaging, and most adults find it surprisingly interesting.
The results are woven into your overall assessment report and explained during your feedback appointment in plain, practical language.
A cognitive testing can be added to an ADHD or autism assessment for approximately $980 (+/- $225). Your psychologist will provide an individualised quote following your initial session.
An ADHD or autism diagnosis answers the question: Is this condition present?
Cognitive testing answers the deeper question: How does this person’s brain work, and what will actually help them?
That second question is often the one that changes lives.
If you are considering an ADHD or autism assessment for yourself or your child, our team is here to talk it through with you. No pressure, no jargon, just a conversation about what would be most helpful for your situation.
Phone: (03) 6263 6319
Email: info@chrysalispsychwell.com.au
Location: Knopwood House, Level 2, 38 Montpelier Retreat, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004
Website: www.chrysalispsychwell.com.au
References
Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
Kasper, L. J., Alderson, R. M., & Hudec, K. L. (2012). Moderators of working memory deficits in children with ADHD: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(7), 605-617.
Willcutt, E. G., Doyle, A. E., Nigg, J. T., Faraone, S. V., & Pennington, B. F. (2005). Validity of the executive function theory of ADHD: A meta-analytic review. Biological Psychiatry, 57(11), 1336-1346.
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