When navigating the world of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder), you will commonly come across two types of documentation: the Diagnostic Report and the NDIS Report. Understanding the difference between these reports can assist you in accessing the right supports, but navigating this new realm can be overwhelming.

An NDIS report from a psychologist and a diagnostic report serve different purposes and contain distinct types of information.

The below frequently asked questions aim to help you understand the importance and difference of both reports, and the role they play in the treatment of your ASD and/or ADHD.

A Diagnostic Report provides a formal diagnosis of a mental health or developmental condition following a comprehensive Psychological Assessment. Diagnostic reports provide a detailed analysis of an individual’s specific condition, informing an accurate diagnosis and assisting to provide a tailored treatment plan, addressing the unique needs of the individual.

The Psychological Assessment involves gathering information from the individual, and sometimes their family or teachers depending on their age. The assessment involves asking details about the individual’s symptoms, current behavioural patterns, and other relevant background details such as the history of the condition and medical history. Through various standardized tests, the individual’s cognitive abilities and executive functioning is assessed, and rating scales and questionnaires are used to assess symptoms and behaviours.

What is a diagnostic report?

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Reports differ in the way that they are primarily developed to support an individual’s application, continuation, and/or modification of an NDIS plan.

NDIS reports include the individual’s specific goals, NDIS plan recommendations to achieve these goals, and any progress and outcomes of current services that are contributing to the goals. These reports provide evidence and justification for the level of support and funding required for the individual, which informs NDIS planners on the allocation of funds and services.

When conducted by a psychologist, NDIS reports for funding purposes must include a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA), which is a detailed analysis of how the individual’s disability impacts their daily activities. An FCA must outline the activities the individual can’t complete, evidence of how their disability impacts the completion of these activities, and the type and frequency of assistance required to complete these activities.

Diagnostic reports do not always include an FCA which is why a separate NDIS report is required to access NDIS funding.

What is an NDIS Report?

How do I know if I’m eligible for NDIS support?

There are many steps and criteria to accessing NDIS support, and not all conditions or diagnoses are eligible. The following eligibility criteria are absolute, and must be met by all participants:

Unfortunately, ADHD, alone, is not recognised by the NDIS as a disability. This means that without a recognised/co-existing diagnosis - you are not eligible to access NDIS for ADHD.

ASD level 2 and 3 diagnoses are eligible for NDIS funding. An ASD level 1 diagnosis will need extensive evidence showing how it affects the individual’s everyday life. A multi-disciplinary approach may be required, in this case.

If you’re unsure whether your diagnosis is considered permanent, the button below provides a list of conditions that are likely to be eligible by the NDIS.

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) referral is a document provided by your GP or other healthcare provider to access more in-depth support from a mental health specialist such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counsellor. While the plans may state an individual’s mental health condition or diagnosis, they don’t provide a comprehensive analysis about how the condition or diagnosis impairs the individual’s everyday functioning. The NDIS requires a comprehensive analysis of how the individual’s diagnosis impacts their ability to engage in day-to-day activities, and therefore MHCPs are not adequate evidence.

Why can’t Mental Health Care Plan referrals be used as evidence of a diagnosis?

If you have further questions about accessing the NDIS or diagnostic vs NDIS reports, please click the button below to fill out our contact form.

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Frequently Asked Questions

As each client is different and our psychologists, to the best of their ability, tailor each assessment to the needs of the client - the assessment process may require an additional 1-hour appointment to complete the functional capacity assessment. This is why it is so important to discuss your goals for your assessment, including the possibility of an NDIS report, during your first appointment with your psychologist. If you'd like further details on our assessment process, please click on the button below.

🌻 Will the assessment process take longer if I also need an NDIS report?

🌻 How will different practitioners affect my NDIS application?

As the approval process for NDIS support can sometimes take months, it's important that the Functional Capacity Assessment aligns with the NDIS requirements.

Professionals conducting them should be familiar with what the NDIS is looking for (to avoid further delays and roadblocks in the approval waiting period).

The NDIS often requires a comprehensive view of an individual's functional capacity. It might be beneficial, in certain cases, to have a multidisciplinary approach to give the NDIS a complete picture.

For an NDIS application, Functional Capacity Assessments need to be conducted by professionals whose qualifications are recognised and deemed appropriate for the specific assessment.

Allied Health professionals like Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Speech Pathologists, and Physiotherapists are all recognised in Queensland for conducting Functional Capacity Assessments for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and learning disorders. Click the button below to read more about the different kinds of disability evidence the NDIS recognises.

🌻 What other Allied Health professionals can conduct a FCA?

Yes, NDIS reports are an optional add-on to your assessment process and are billed separately to the diagnostic report. The final cost for an NDIS report is dependent on whether you are being assessed by a Registered Psychologist or a Clinical Psychologist. An NDIS report, similar to the diagnostic report, also requires payment in advance. Please contact our administration team for further information on our assessment pricing structures.

🌻 Do NDIS reports cost extra?