Expert Assessments
What can we help you with?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It’s a condition that affects how people pay attention, stay still, and control their actions. People with ADHD might find it hard to concentrate, can get distracted easily, feel restless, or act without thinking. No one knows exactly what causes ADHD, but it often runs in families.
What are the symptoms?
- Trouble paying attention: People may find it hard to focus, forget things, or have trouble getting organised.
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Hyperactivity and impulsiveness:
- Mixed symptoms: Some people have both attention and hyperactivity issues.
What causes ADHD?
- Family history: ADHD can run in families, so if a parent or sibling has it, there’s a higher chance of someone else in the family having it too.
- Environmental factors: Things like being exposed to harmful substances (for example, lead) during pregnancy may increase the risk.
- Mother’s health during pregnancy: If the mum smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs while pregnant, it can make ADHD more likely in the child.
How is ADHD managed?
- Medication and therapy: Medicines and talking to a counsellor or psychologist can help manage symptoms. Support at school or work is also important.
- Healthy habits: Regular exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to manage stress can make a big difference.
- Support from others: Having family, friends, and workmates who understand and help, plus using time management and organisation strategies, can really help people with ADHD do well.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that influences communication, social interaction, and an individual’s perception of their environment. The term “spectrum” reflects the extensive variability in symptoms, abilities, and levels of support required by individuals on the autism spectrum.
It is important to recognize that autism is not classified as an illness or disease and does not require a cure; rather, it denotes neurodivergent brain development. With appropriate interventions and support, autistic individuals are capable of leading independent and fulfilling lives.
Core Characteristics
The primary characteristics of autism typically fall within two categories, each varying in degree among individuals:
- Social communication and interaction differences: These may manifest as challenges with eye contact, interpreting facial expressions and body language, engaging in conversations, forming friendships, and understanding figurative language or social cues.
- Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities: This area may include behaviors such as repetitive movements (stimming), a strong adherence to routines, difficulty adapting to change, highly focused interests, and atypical responses to sensory stimuli (including sounds, lights, and textures).
Causes and Risk Factors
The causality of autism remains incompletely understood and is believed to involve a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
- Genetics: ASD often has familial associations, with hundreds of genes implicated in its development.
- Environmental factors: Most identified risk factors pertain to prenatal circumstances, including advanced parental age, maternal health conditions such as gestational diabetes, exposure to certain medications during pregnancy, and premature birth.
Diagnosis
- Children: Developmental screening is routinely conducted by paediatricians. If concerns are identified, comprehensive evaluations are facilitated by specialists such as developmental paediatricians, psychologists, or speech pathologists.
- Adults: Diagnostic assessment is also possible in adulthood, particularly when individuals experience persistent social difficulties or mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Evaluation should be performed by a qualified mental health professional (eg. Psychiatrist) experienced in diagnosing ASD.
Support and Intervention
While there is currently no cure for autism, a diverse array of therapies and support services can assist individuals in managing challenges and enhancing life skills.
- Therapies: Available interventions include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and psychological therapies such as applied behaviour analysis.
- Education: Structured educational programs and individualized support plans contribute to improvements in social communication and behaviour.
- Medication: Although medication does not address core autism symptoms, it may be prescribed to manage co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or sleep disturbances.
Research indicates that early intervention can significantly enhance outcomes for many autistic children.
OT Assessment
At All Psychiatry, we offer Occupational Therapy (OT) assessments via secure telehealth, providing accessible and comprehensive evaluations to support individuals in improving their daily functioning and independence.
Our experienced Occupational Therapist conduct structured assessments to better understand a person’s functional capacity, daily living skills, and psychosocial needs. These assessments help identify areas where additional support, therapy, or environmental adjustments may be beneficial.
Telehealth OT assessments may include (but are not limited to)
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- Psychosocial and mental health–focused OT assessments
- Sensory and environmental assessments
- Support needs assessments for home, community, and work participation
Following the assessment, our clinicians provide detailed reports and personalised recommendations, which may include strategies to improve independence, recommendations for supports and services, and guidance for carers and support teams.
All assessments are delivered through secure telehealth consultations, allowing individuals to access high-quality occupational therapy services conveniently from their home while maintaining privacy and flexibility.
Meet Our Team
Forensic / Risk Assessment
At All Psychiatry, we offer specialised risk assessment services via secure telehealth to support the safety and wellbeing of individuals, families, and the broader community.
Ourclinicians conduct a range of structured and evidence-based assessments toevaluate and manage ongoing risks of harm.
These may include (but are not limited to)
- Threat and violence risk assessments
- Stalking risk assessments
- Arson risk assessments
- Sexual violence risk assessments
- Spousal Assault Risk Assessments (SARA)
Where appropriate, we also develop comprehensive risk management and safety plans tailored to each individual’s circumstances. These plans aim to identify potential risks early, implement practical safety strategies, and support ongoing clinical care and recovery.
Meet Our Expert
How does it work?
At “All Psychiatry” our team of Australian- certified mental health clinicians provides expert care tailored to your needs.
We have made it simple and efficient – just follow the steps below to get started
1
GP Referral
To get started, please obtain a referral from your GP addressed to “All Psychiatry” and include as much information as possible.
It helps to include information about your symptoms, history and any previous treatment.
2
Send or Upload GP referral
You can upload your referral securely on our website, or ask your GP to fax it to 03 8080 6484 or email it to admin@allpsychiatry.com.au
3
We will contact you to book an appointment
Once our friendly admin team receives your referral, it will be promptly reviewed to match you with the specialist best suited to your needs. Someone from our admin team will contact you to arrange your appointment
Meet Our Team
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we expect from our intial Telehealth appointment with Dr. Abdulghani M Usmanr?
The initial appointment with Dr. Abdulghani M Usman will comprise of getting history of current difficulties, a development history from parent/carer and review of any previous assessments done by psychologists or school.
Subsequent to the first appointment, Dr. Abdulghani M Usman will liaise with the school/university to get more information which will form a part of his comprehensive assessment. There will be ongoing liaison with your GP to organise any further investigations needed.
Medications may be commenced at any stage depending on history and assessment.
The initial appointment with Dr. Abdulghani M Usman will comprise of getting history of current difficulties, a development history from parent/carer and review of any previous assessments done by psychologists or school.
Subsequent to the first appointment, Dr. Abdulghani M Usman will liaise with the school/university to get more information which will form a part of his comprehensive assessment. There will be ongoing liaison with your GP to organise any further investigations needed.
Medications may be commenced at any stage depending on history and assessment.
Does a parent/carer need to attend the appointment?
Yes, a parent/carer needs to be present for the initial appointment to be able to provide a development or join for 15 mins at the end. It is ideal for them to attend a part or full appointment subsequently too for feedback regarding medications.
Does my child need to be present at all appointments?
Yes the patient (child/teenager) needs to be present at all appointments for the family to be able to claim Medicare rebates. Teenagers can join in using the link from school in case missing school is a concern.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.