AAPi encourages members to make a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the barriers to consistent, timely and best practice assessment of ADHD and support services for people with ADHD. This is an opportunity for you to raise the difficulties clients and families face when they are trying to access support from a psychologist.
In our submission, AAPi has stressed the following points:
- Assessment is not affordable for many families and individuals seeking diagnosis due to a lack of Government financial support either through Medicare rebates, publicly funded assessments, and requirements for specialist medical practitioners such as paediatricians and psychiatrists to enable stimulant prescription or service access within many systems. This disproportionately affects those in rural and remote regions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those with low socioeconomic status.
- Clients also face long wait times for assessments.
- There are significant difficulties accessing support following a diagnosis due to a lack of providers in rural and remote regions, long waiting times to see psychologists and other specialist health professionals, and significant affordability issues due to the low value of Medicare rebates for psychologists. AAPi is urging the Government to increase the Medicare rebate for psychologists to $150 and introduce a Medicare rebate for Provisional Psychologists so that more clients can afford treatment.
- AAPi has also recommended an increase in the number of psychologists through increasing Commonwealth-supported places at universities each year and through initiatives that support the retention of the current workforce, which is currently under significant stress and experiencing burnout.
- AAPi also advocates for changes so that stimulant medication may be able to be prescribed by a client’s treating GP in partnership with a psychologist who can provide psychometric assessments to confirm or rule out ADHD as the cause of difficulties for the individual. Medicare rebates would need to be available to support this assessment to occur with a psychologist. This would significantly reduce the barriers to access for many and still ensure that these medications are prescribed safely and only when necessary.
- We also advocate for the NDIS to recognise ADHD as a primary disability per the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
- The costs of failing to make these changes and providing increased support levels are significant. From academic and occupational challenges, decreased mental health and well-being, increased stress and strain on families and relationships, criminal justice involvement, and increased healthcare utilisation.
- As suggested by AAPi, providing these increased supports will result in significant cost saving over time and improve the lives of thousands of people.
Submissions do not need to be long. Every submission helps. Submissions are due by 9 June.
Make your submission here.