ADHD Glossary

🧠 ADHD Glossary: Plain-Language Guide for Patients

Prepared by the Mind and Brain Clinic – A neurodiversity-affirming practice

Understanding ADHD can be overwhelming—especially with all the clinical terms thrown around. Here’s a clear and friendly guide to help make sense of it all.

🔹 ADHD Types

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
A brain-based condition affecting focus, activity levels, and self-control.

Inattentive Type
Easily distracted, forgetful, disorganised, often described as “daydreamy.”

Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
Fidgety, restless, talks a lot, may interrupt or act without thinking.

Combined Type
A mix of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive traits.

🔹 Brain Function Terms

Executive Functioning
The brain’s “management system” for planning, organising, remembering, and staying on track.

Working Memory
The brain’s notepad—used to hold short-term info (like remembering a phone number while dialing).

Emotional Dysregulation
Strong emotions that feel hard to control or bounce back from.

Task Paralysis
Feeling mentally ‘stuck’ when starting a task—even if it’s important.

Time Blindness
Losing track of time or struggling to estimate how long tasks take.

Hyperfocus
Getting so deeply focused on something you lose awareness of time or surroundings.

🔹 Common Experiences

RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria)
Extreme emotional pain in response to feeling criticised, left out, or rejected—even if it wasn’t intentional.

Body Doubling
Staying on task by working alongside someone else (in person or virtually). Just having someone nearby can help.

Doom Piles
Stacks of clutter or unfinished tasks that build up due to overwhelm.

🔹 Diagnosis & Medication

Titration
Gradually adjusting your medication dose to find what works best.

Stimulants
First-line ADHD meds like Vyvanse, Ritalin, or dexamphetamine—help improve focus and reduce impulsivity.

Non-Stimulants
Alternatives like atomoxetine or guanfacine—used when stimulants don’t suit or cause side effects.

PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)
Australian program that subsidises certain medications if specific criteria are met.

Co-prescribing
When a psychiatrist and GP share responsibility for prescribing ADHD medication.

Financial Disclosure

Description	Fee (AUD)	Medicare Rebate (AUD)	Out of pocket
ADHD Assessment	$1,400.00	$262.10	$1,137.90
Standard Appointment	$280.00	$87.05	$192.95
Annual Review (or extended appointments)	$350.00	$134.00	$216.00
Long Appointment	$600.00	$262.10	$337.90
Script outside of appointment	$60.00	-	$60.00
Letter for travel or confirmation of medication	$44.00	-	$44.00
Letter to third party	Varies	-	Varies

Description	Fee (AUD)	Medicare Rebate (AUD)	Out of pocket
ASD Assessment	$1,800.00	$399.45	$1,400.55
Report	$700.00	$0.00	$700.00

Mind & Brain fees effective from 11 September 2025
Medicare rebates updated 01 July 2025

Mind and Brain is a private medical practice committed to providing optimal care for each individual patient. Practice fees may be adjusted from time to time to reflect changes in Medicare rebates, operating costs, and professional services. For existing patients at 11 September 2025 new fees apply from 1 November 2025

Description	Fee (AUD)	Medicare Rebate (AUD)	Out of pocket
ADHD Assessment	$1,400.00	$262.10	$1,137.90
Standard Appointment	$280.00	$87.05	$192.95
Annual Review (or extended appointments)	$350.00	$134.00	$216.00
Long Appointment	$600.00	$184.90	$415.10
Script outside of appointment	$60.00	-	$60.00
Letter for travel or confirmation of medication	$44.00	-	$44.00
Letter to third party	Varies	-	Varies

Description

Fee (AUD)

Medicare Rebate (AUD)

Out of pocket

ADHD Assessment

$1,400.00

$262.10

$1,137.90

Standard Appointment

$280.00

$87.05

$192.95

Annual Review (or extended appointments)

$350.00

$134.00

$216.00

Long Appointment

$600.00

$184.90

$415.10

Script outside of appointment

$60.00

Letter for travel or confirmation of medication

$44.00

Letter to third party

Varies

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🧠 ADHD Glossary: Plain-Language Guide for Patients

M&B Form 029 Travel Letter Request

M&B Form 028 Document Upload

M&B Form 003 Registration

ADHD Assessment and Treatment Process

Step 1 – Intake Appointment with Psychologist (In-Clinic)

Step 2 – Rating Scales, Questionnaires, and Urine Drug Screening

Step 3 – Psychiatrist Appointment (In-Clinic)

Follow-Up Appointments

Fees

Purpose of the Assessment

Assessment Components

Pre-Assessment Screening

Diagnostic Assessment

Financial Disclosure

ADHD Assessment Fee Schedule

Collateral Information

Standardized Measures (if indicated)

Referral Requirements

Guidelines and Best Practice

Duration and Cost

Payment Summary

Patient Consent to Collect & Disclose Information

Collection

Use and Disclosure

Access

Form 002 Referral Upload

Financial Disclosure

ADHD Assessment Fee Schedule

Fees and Rebates

Reminders and Payments

Changes and Cancellations

M&B Form 030 Appointment Request