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), a
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