Julie Legg chats with Ashley Cairns, CEO and director of A Change for Better. They discuss the ACFB Fund – the charitable side of the organisation, mental health services, subsidised ADHD online assessments, and how the organisation is expanding to provide a wrap-around service.
By offering asynchronous assessments, the organization reduces wait times and costs, making diagnostic services available to rural and low-income clients through flexible payment options. Their approach includes comprehensive reports, post-diagnosis support, and customized treatment plans. With a dedicated team of psychologists and a fully online service model, A Change for Better is pioneering more inclusive, effective pathways for ADHD diagnosis and mental health support across New Zealand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- About A Change for Better: Founded in 2019, A Change for Better is a mental health organization in New Zealand, offering streamlined, subsidized ADHD and autism assessments through the ACFB Fund to make these services more accessible.
- Efficient, Asynchronous Assessment Model: To reduce costs and wait times, A Change for Better allows clients to complete detailed questionnaires on their own time. This model reduces psychologist admin time, leading to faster, more cost-effective assessments.
- Affordable and Flexible Payment Options: Assessments are priced based on household income, with flexible interest-free payment plans available to ensure affordability, including the option to pay as little as $10 per week.
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Process: Clients undergo multiple assessments, including ADHD, autism, trauma, and mood screens. Reports are detailed, often 20+ pages, offering a thorough diagnostic process. This detailed approach is accepted by partner psychiatry programs, reducing the need for repeat assessments.
- Post-Diagnosis Support and Treatment Plans: The organization aims to provide wrap-around support post-diagnosis, including treatment plans, counselling, neurodiversity coaching, and customized support groups for individuals and parents.
- Nationwide Reach: As a fully online service, A Change for Better is accessible to people across New Zealand, particularly beneficial for rural clients who face limited local resources.
- Specialized Team Structure: The organization uses a multi-psychologist approach, with clinical, educational, and general psychologists assigned to clients based on their needs, ensuring appropriate support for each case complexity.
- Future Services: Plans include expanding into general mental health assessments and offering free counselling for individuals with ACC sensitive claims, reflecting their commitment to comprehensive mental health support.
- Note: A psychologist is not able to prescribe ADHD medication directly which is important to remember when seeking an assessment. Canterbury is unique however (at the time of writing), as the pathway to acquiring a Special Authority Number to access ADHD medication differs to the rest of New Zealand.
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