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What Happens During an Autism Assessment?
If you are considering an autism assessment, you may have a lot of questions about what comes next. You might feel relieved to finally seek answers, but also nervous about what the assessment will involve. Understanding how does autism assessment work can make the process feel less uncertain. An autism assessment looks at your development, communication, behaviour and everyday experiences to build a clearer picture of how you experience the world. It is not about passing or f
Calder Psychology
5 days ago4 min read
Can You Have Autism and ADHD?
Autism diagnoses in Australia have risen significantly over the past two decades. Current figures show that around 4.3% of Australian children aged 5 to 14 are diagnosed with autism, up from 3.2% in 2018. Recent research also found that the introduction of the NDIS may have contributed to this increase, with the study estimating a 32% rise in overall autism prevalence linked to the scheme. As autism has become better understood as a spectrum, more people with different abilit
Calder Psychology
6 days ago6 min read
What Is Masking in Autism?
Have you ever felt like you're constantly performing around other people? Maybe you rehearse conversations before they happen, force yourself to make eye contact even when it feels uncomfortable, or leave social situations completely drained. If you've recently started wondering what masked autism is, you may have come across the idea of autism masking. Many autistic people learn to hide or adapt their natural behaviours to fit in with those around them. Some do it without ev
Calder Psychology
Aug 115 min read
What Are the Signs of Autism in Adults?
You may have spent years wondering why certain situations feel harder for you than they seem to be for other people. Maybe social interactions leave you exhausted, unexpected changes throw your whole day off, or you've always felt like you experience the world a little differently. If you've recently started asking yourself what are signs of autism in an adult, you're certainly not alone. Many people don't receive an autism diagnosis until adulthood. For some, it happens afte
Calder Psychology
Aug 106 min read
Psychological Evaluation: The Initial Stage of Treatment
Finding the right support starts with understanding you. Before therapy can be truly effective, your psychologist needs to understand your experiences, concerns, strengths and goals. That's why an initial psychological evaluation is such an important first step. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, a psychological evaluation looks at the bigger picture. It helps identify what may be contributing to your challenges and provides the foundation for personalised care. Whether y
Calder Psychology
Aug 53 min read
Embracing Neurodiversity: Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Every person experiences the world in their own way. For some, everyday requests that seem simple to others can trigger overwhelming anxiety and a strong need to regain control. This is one reason why understanding pathological demand avoidance (PDA) through a neurodiversity-affirming lens is so important. When you understand what drives these behaviours, it becomes easier to respond with compassion instead of frustration. Rather than viewing someone as being difficult or opp
Calder Psychology
Aug 44 min read
What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis?
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can bring up all kinds of emotions. You might feel relieved because you finally have an explanation for experiences you've struggled to make sense of. You might also feel uncertain, overwhelmed or even question what comes next. All of these reactions are valid. The truth is, what happens after an ADHD diagnosis is just as important as the assessment itself. A diagnosis isn't about putting a label on you. It's about helping you better understand how
Calder Psychology
Jul 286 min read
Do I Need to See a Psychiatrist for ADHD?
If you've been wondering whether your forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, impulsivity or constant mental clutter could be ADHD, you might also be asking yourself, can a psychiatrist diagnose ADHD? The short answer is yes, but you don't always need to see a psychiatrist first. Whether you should see one depends on the type of support you're looking for. If you want to explore prescription medication as part of your treatment, or you need medical management for your sympto
Calder Psychology
Jul 275 min read
Can Trauma Look Like ADHD?
Living with constant brain fog, forgetfulness, and a nervous system that feels permanently on edge is exhausting. You might sit there wondering why simple, daily tasks feel like monumental hurdles. When you spend years struggling to manage your focus and emotions, you naturally start searching for answers. This search often leads to a profound and confusing question: do I have ADHD or trauma? These two experiences share striking outward similarities. A nervous system stuck in
Calder Psychology
Jul 234 min read
Can Anxiety Be Mistaken for ADHD?
When your mind races constantly and you cannot seem to focus, daily life becomes exhausting. You might sit at your desk, staring at a screen, completely unable to start a simple task. This leaves you wondering: is it anxiety or adhd? Both conditions create a profound sense of overwhelm. Because they share many outward symptoms, professionals and individuals often mistake one for the other. However, they have completely different root causes. Why the Symptoms Look So Similar
Calder Psychology
Jul 224 min read
Understanding Trauma Part 5: Can the Brain Really Change?
The Science of Neuroplasticity, Hope, and Lasting Healing “Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the human brain isn’t how complex it is. It’s that it can continue changing throughout your life.” What If Change Really Is Possible? Perhaps you’ve wondered… “Maybe this is just who I am.” Or perhaps you’ve said to yourself, “I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember.” Maybe anxiety has been with you for decades. Perhaps you’ve always struggled with self-doubt. Maybe di
Calder Psychology
Jul 216 min read
Understanding Trauma Part 4: Why Different Therapy Approaches Work for Different Parts of the Brain
“There is no single therapy that is best for everyone. Effective therapy begins by understanding the person—not just the diagnosis.” By now, we’ve explored three important systems of the brain: the Thinking Brain, which helps us reason, plan, solve problems, and regulate our behaviour; the Emotional Brain, where memories, attachment, and emotions shape our experiences; and the Survival Brain, whose primary role is to keep us safe by preparing us to fight, flee, freeze, or shu
Calder Psychology
Jul 206 min read
What are the signs of ADHD in women?
For decades, ADHD was stereotyped as a condition affecting young, hyperactive boys. This narrow view left a generation of women struggling in silence, wondering why daily life felt so overwhelming. If you constantly feel exhausted by the simple act of keeping your life together, you are not alone. Data from the Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, published in the BMJ Medical Humanities journal, shows that 14.9% of adult women meet the clinical criteria for ADHD compared
Calder Psychology
Jul 175 min read
Understanding Trauma Part 3: The Survival Brain – Why Your Body Reacts Before You Have Time to Think
“Your body isn’t trying to sabotage you. It’s trying to protect you.” Imagine you’re walking through the bush and suddenly notice something long and dark lying across the path. Before you’ve had a chance to think, your heart begins pounding. Your muscles tense. Your breathing becomes shallow. Your eyes lock onto the object. For a brief moment, your body prepares for danger. Then you realise… It’s only a stick. Within seconds your breathing settles, your muscles relax, and lif
Calder Psychology
Jul 165 min read
Tagalog vs. English: The Real Difference for Filipinos in Perth ADHD & Autism Assessments
Seeking an ADHD or autism assessment is a big step, and many Filipinos in Perth wonder whether seeing a Filipino psychologist who speaks Tagalog could make the experience more comfortable than having the assessment entirely in English. The answer depends on the individual. While many Filipinos communicate confidently in English, discussing childhood experiences, family relationships and lifelong challenges can feel easier in a native language. Others are perfectly comfortable
Calder Psychology
Jul 94 min read
Lifelong ADHD vs Adult-Onset Symptoms: Understanding the Difference
If you've only started struggling with focus, organisation or forgetfulness as an adult, it's understandable to wonder what's going on. You may even find yourself searching “can you develop ADHD as an adult”, hoping to understand why everyday tasks suddenly feel more difficult than they used to. The short answer is no. You cannot typically develop classic ADHD as an adult because it is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins in childhood. However, many people are not diagn
Calder Psychology
Jul 94 min read
Understanding Trauma Part 2: Understanding the Three Brain Systems
The Thinking Brain: Your Inner Problem Solver As we continue exploring the three brain systems, we'll begin with the thinking brain, the part responsible for reasoning, planning, and conscious decision-making. Imagine you’re trying to complete a difficult puzzle. You analyse the pieces. You consider different possibilities. You plan your next move. You stay focused on the task until everything begins to fit together. This ability comes largely from a remarkable area of the br
Calder Psychology
Jul 74 min read
Understanding Trauma Part 1: Why Therapy Is More Than Talking: Understanding How Different Parts of the Brain Heal
Healing doesn’t happen by changing one thought. It happens by supporting the whole person. Mind, Emotions, and Body. Why Do I Still Feel This Way If I Know Better? You’ve read the books. You’ve listened to the podcasts. Perhaps you’ve even spent hours researching anxiety, trauma, or emotional wellbeing. You understand why you react the way you do. You recognise your thinking patterns. You know your childhood experiences have shaped you, and you may even be wondering whether h
Calder Psychology
Jul 65 min read
Medicare Rebates for Psychology in Australia (2026 Guide)
Taking the first step towards better mental health can feel overwhelming, especially if you're worried about the cost of seeing a psychologist. The good news is that, if you're eligible, a Medicare rebate for a psychologist appointment can help make therapy more affordable. While Medicare doesn't usually cover the full cost of a private psychology session, it can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Understanding what's available before your first appointment can
Calder Psychology
Jul 64 min read
Your First Psychological Evaluation: What to Expect at Calder Psychology
Taking the first step towards better mental health can bring up a lot of questions. You may wonder what happens during your first appointment, what you'll be asked, or whether you'll know the "right" things to say. These concerns are completely normal. A psychological evaluation is simply a way for your psychologist to get to know you, understand what you've been experiencing, and recommend the support that best suits your needs. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, it look
Calder Psychology
Jun 294 min read
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