There are many different types of professionals who can play important and ongoing roles in the care of you and your whānau after an ADHD diagnosis. 

You may have wondered what the differences were and which ones might be suited to help you and your family. To help you get your head around these terms and titles, we've outlined some of the differences below.

What are primary care physicians and family physicians?

For these healthcare professionals (also known as General Practitioners (GPs), routine childhood preventive care (including annual physical evaluations, routine vaccinations. and other first line health concerns) is a priority. These doctors care for any illness, including colds, ear infection, and injury.

They are often the ‘hub’ of a persons care, and can refer to specialists in different areas as needed. As of the 1 February 2026 some GPs have been able to assess for, and diagnose, ADHD in those 18 years and over.

What is a nurse practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with further university education (e.g. a Master’s or Doctorate) as well as extensive clinical training. This enables them to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication, for patients. As of 1 February 2026 nurse practitioners working within their area of practice can now assess for, and diagnose, ADHD and start treatment with stimulant medications.

What's a paediatrician?

​Paediatricians are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis and management of infants, children, and young people, with disturbances of health, growth, behaviour and/or development.

Paediatricians fall into two categories, general paediatrician and developmental paediatrician (although some can be both).

A general paediatrician can assess your child for ADHD but may not assess for co-occurring conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

General paediatricians can also help you and your whānau interpret the results of a specialist’s evaluation. 

As well as the above-mentioned routine childhood preventative care, general paediatricians also play an important role in monitoring side effects of medications your child may be taking and will note if there are other concerns. They will also help you and your whānau locate specialists for any additional care that might be required. 

What's the difference between a ​general pediatrician and a ​developmental paediatrician?

If your child has developmental concerns or delays, they can benefit from seeing a developmental paediatrician. Developmental assessments help you and your whānau know what to expect over time and what intervention and support may be required. 

Developmental paediatricians (also called developmental and behavioural paediatricians) are specialists at understanding the developmental concerns of childhood. A developmental paediatrician can assess for, and diagnose, ADHD and ASD with a high level of expertise, as they are neurodevelopmental conditions.

As your child grows up, a developmental paediatrician may also follow their physical growth and emotional development to see how they progress and change over time. For example, if your child has ADHD and a co-occurring condition such as ASD, over the course of their development they may have differing expressions and manifestations. A developmental paediatrician can consider the implications this may have in terms of changing care and support needs.

What's the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A psychiatrist can provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, and can discuss the role medication might play in your recovery. You or your whānau member may be referred to a psychiatrist if your doctor does not offer ADHD diagnosis. 

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who, after basic medical qualifications, receives further training in psychiatry. They can identify, diagnose, and treat, both mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and ASD. Check your psychiatrist's title as it reflects their training and competencies. A psychiatrist may predominantly see adults (18 years and older), whereas a ‘child and adolescent psychiatrist’ has undertaken specialist training in the care of this age group.

A psychologist can assess for, and diagnose, a variety of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as providing psychotherapeutic treatment. The 2026 changes to the ADHD prescribing and diagnosing rules mean psychologists with competence in working with people with ADHD can diagnose this neurodevelopment condition as well. 

All psychologists in New Zealand are required to undertake undergraduate and postgraduate university degrees, with some to the doctoral level. They have generally undergone extensive training in understanding all aspects of psychological and neuropsychological functioning.