Mandurah Autism Assessments

11/10/2025

Understanding AuDHD: When Autism and ADHD Coexist
In recent years, more people have begun to understand that neurodivergence isn’t always one clear-cut diagnosis. One of the most complex — and often misunderstood — forms of neurodivergence is AuDHD, a term used to describe individuals who are both autistic and have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Although autism and ADHD are distinct conditions, they often overlap. In fact, research suggests that a large number of autistic people also meet the criteria for ADHD — and vice versa. But living with both can be a unique experience that brings its own strengths, struggles, and emotional challenges.
1. What Is AuDHD?
AuDHD is not an official medical diagnosis but rather a community-created term that describes the intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD traits. People who identify as AuDHD experience characteristics of both conditions simultaneously, which can sometimes contradict or intensify each other.
For example, ADHD may drive someone toward impulsivity and constant stimulation-seeking, while autism might create a strong need for structure and routine. This internal push-and-pull can be exhausting and confusing for individuals navigating both neurotypes.
2. How Autism and ADHD Overlap
Although they’re different, autism and ADHD share some key similarities — which is one reason they can be difficult to distinguish:
Both affect executive functioning — things like planning, organization, memory, and emotional regulation.
Both can involve sensory sensitivities — being overly or under-sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, or smells.
Both impact social communication — though in different ways.
Both can lead to burnout, anxiety, and fatigue, especially in neurotypical-dominated environments.
However, ADHD tends to be more about under-stimulation and hyperactivity, while autism often centers around over-stimulation and the need for predictability. When they coexist, it can feel like the brain is running in two directions at once.
3. Common AuDHD Experiences
People with AuDHD often describe their minds as both fast and overloaded. They may struggle to focus on uninteresting tasks (ADHD) while hyper-focusing intensely on special interests (autism).
Some common experiences include:
Struggling to manage time and transitions
Feeling torn between wanting change and needing routine
Experiencing sensory overload in unpredictable ways
Finding social interaction both intriguing and draining
Having intense emotional reactions
Feeling misunderstood or mislabeled for years before diagnosis
4. The Emotional Side: Realizing You’re AuDHD
For many, discovering they are AuDHD brings a deep sense of relief and grief. Relief because things finally make sense — the struggles, the sensitivities, the feeling of being “different.” But grief, too, because they realize how long they went through life without support or understanding.
This process can bring up emotions like sadness, anger, or regret. It’s okay to mourn the years of masking, misdiagnosis, and self-doubt. Healing begins when you recognize that your brain wasn’t broken — it was just wired differently.
5. Strengths of the AuDHD Brain
Despite the challenges, AuDHD individuals often possess incredible strengths:
Creativity and innovation — their brains see patterns others miss.
Empathy and intuition — they can read emotional undercurrents deeply.
Resilience — years of adapting build strength and adaptability.
Passion and focus — when something aligns with their interests, their energy is unmatched.
The world benefits immensely from neurodivergent thinkers, artists, scientists, and creators — many of whom are likely AuDHD.
6. Living Authentically as AuDHD
Embracing your AuDHD identity is about self-acceptance and balance. It means setting boundaries, finding sensory-safe environments, using executive function tools, and allowing yourself to rest without guilt. Most importantly, it’s about surrounding yourself with people who get it — those who understand that progress sometimes looks like “I took a shower today, and that’s enough.”
Being AuDHD is not a flaw — it’s a unique neurological wiring that comes with both difficulties and extraordinary potential. Society is still learning to understand it, but every conversation helps dismantle the stigma. If you’re AuDHD, know this: you’re not lazy, broken, or wrong. You’re simply wired differently — beautifully, powerfully, and validly so.

27/09/2025

23/09/2025

I absolutely welcome more research into autism, its prevalence, genetics, and potential causes. What I don’t welcome is the mainstream media spreading misinformation.

Changes in the DSM diagnostic criteria over the years has significantly influenced how autism is understood and diagnosed. Each edition of the DSM has shifted the framework, altering what is considered necessary for a diagnosis. For example, earlier versions used terms such as Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). With the release of the DSM-5, these were merged under the single umbrella term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
These changes have had a direct impact on who meets the criteria, how clinicians approach assessments, and the way services and supports are allocated. For some families, it has meant clearer pathways and recognition; for others, it has raised concerns about children who might previously have qualified for a diagnosis but now fall outside the updated thresholds.

And lastly-

Does anyone honestly believe that parents pursue an autism diagnosis for their child “for fun”? The diagnostic process is long, rigorous, and emotionally exhausting. Parents don’t enjoy spending countless hours in assessments, advocating for their child at every level, and rushing between therapy appointments. On top of that, they constantly face critique from those in the community who are far less informed.
For families, this is not a hobby or a convenience: it’s an ongoing fight to ensure their child gets the support, understanding, and opportunities they deserve.

16/08/2025

A great way to explain the assessment process!

Does your kid have a psych assessment coming up?

This is a simple way to prepare them.

Learning more about your brain doesn't have to be a scary or negative thing. The more we know, the better we can take care of ourselves.

Yes?

Em 🌈

14/06/2025

Autistic traits often (not always) have a genetic component and this can definitely present a challenge during an autism assessment. We often meet with a parent/parents who are in the process of pursuing their own assessment or self-diagnosis. As they go through the paperwork and reflect on their child’s experiences, parents can begin to notice similarities and connections with their own strengths and challenges, behaviors and experiences.

Sometimes, parents are quite open during the assessment and share that they too may for example, avoid eye contact, have difficulty interpreting subtle facial expressions, enjoyed sorting or lining up toys as children, never engaged in pretend or imaginary play (and even found it silly), or have struggled with friendships and social dynamics throughout their lives.

This process can be a significant emotional journey for families, as it often brings up unexpected reflections and realisations.
Every family’s journey to assessment day is unique. Some parents have noticed autistic traits in their child from a very young age, while others may have only begun the process after observations and information has been shared and raised by family, teachers, caregivers, or other professionals.

14/03/2025

ASSESSMENTS | Knowing which assessments and tools to use in an autism evaluation is crucial, in this case what may seem like simple "sensory toys" is so much more.

On the surface, autism assessments may seem relaxed and natural—and that’s the goal: to help the child (and their family) feel comfortable and at ease. However, even while appearing casual, we are continuously observing and mentally taking notes, all of which contribute to assessing the specific DSM-5 criteria needed for a diagnosis.

Standardized assessment tools are essential in distinguishing Autism Spectrum Disorder from other conditions with similar symptoms and they also provide objective data, helping to minimise subjective bias and ensuring a more consistent, reliable diagnosis across different professionals and settings.

However, standardized tools are only a small part of the process, especially for children who often mask on unfamiliar settings, it’s particularly important to have experienced clinicians who can look beyond the surface and identify signs that may not be immediately apparent.

22/02/2025

THE MANDURAH AUTISM ASSESSMENTS TEAM|

Michelle is a Registered Psychologist (Michelle Rhyder Psychology) with 15 years of experience working with children of all needs. Her extensive background, combined with her personal insights as a mother of a neurodivergent child, allows her to offer compassionate and tailored support to every family she works with.

Annika is a Speech Pathologist ( Mandurah Speech Pathology) with over 12 years of experience and holds a Post Graduate degree in Autism assessment and diagnosis (GradCertAutDiag). As a mother of three children, two of whom are neurodivergent, Annika is deeply passionate about guiding families through the assessment and diagnostic process and she is known for her empathy, understanding, and dedication as a clinician.

Please call the clinic directly or email mandurahautismassessments@gmail.com if you would like further information on our Autism assessments

22/02/2025

WELCOME TO MANDURAH AUTISM ASSESSMENTS| Our autism diagnostic team is led by experienced clinicians Annika Ballantyne (Speech Pathologist) and Michelle Rhyder (Registered Psychologist). We are committed to providing a supportive, nurturing, and neuroaffirming experience for every family that walks through our doors, and we strive to offer a service we would want for our own families.

With over four years of collaboration in conducting combined autism assessments, we bring a wealth of expertise and personal understanding to our work. We are both mothers to daughters with Autism and ADHD, which has fostered a special interest in supporting autistic girls.

The Mandurah Autism Assessment team adheres to the “gold standard” of autism assessment, addressing the DSM-5 criteria through a multi-disciplinary team approach and utilising the best diagnostic tools available for the child’s age and abilities. These include:
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2)
• Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS)
• A clinical parent interview based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised
• Additional profession-specific assessments as needed

We provide comprehensive feedback on the outcomes of your child’s assessment, along with a thorough, detailed written report.
Referrals are accepted from Paediatricians, Psychiatrists, and parents directly (with supporting evidence from another professional, such as a GP, childcare educators, teachers, or allied health professionals). Please note, if you plan to claim a Medicare rebate, a referral from a Paediatrician is required.

Please call the clinic directly or email mandurahautismassessments@gmail.com if you would like further information on our Autism assessments