How to get a low-cost ADHD diagnosis?
One of the questions that we have seen come up more often recently in therapy is “how do I get assessed for ADHD?” Living with neurodivergence (which literally means having a brain that is wired differently from what is traditionally defined as “neurotypical”- ADHD is an aspect of neurodivergence) can come with a lifetime of being negatively labeled and shamed. Many folks living with undiagnosed ADHD have been called “lazy”, “clumsy”, or “difficult”. In reality, folks with ADHD experience differences in brain chemistry and structure, which show up in experiences like finding it difficult to plan/remember instructions/finish tasks or to focus on topics that aren’t interesting for them (a difference in executive function- not “laziness”), difficulties with balance control and spacial awareness/orientation (not “clumsiness”), and/or feeling emotions very intensely or even with overwhelm (not “difficult”).
Having your authentic internal experiences be negatively labeled and misunderstood often comes with experiences of shame, low self-worth/self-esteem/self-confidence, and the pressure to constantly put on a mask in order to behave like someone you’re not. Working with a therapist who practices from a neurodiverse lens can help you to work through these negative effects and move toward unmasking, self-acceptance, and reconnecting to your authentic self. At the same time, many folks find it beneficial to receive an official diagnosis for ADHD as well, since this opens the door for receiving medication and more specialized treatments, not to mention that it can come with a sense of relief and clarity that their experiences of struggle are validated and explained.
So let’s talk diagnosis. While our team of Psychotherapists provide neurodiverse support, we aren’t licensed to provide a diagnosis. Your family doctor/general practitioner is a good place to start. Some may be able to give you an assessment themselves, others may refer you to a specialist- this might unfortunately take several months, but should be covered through OHIP. There are also private clinics/practices that specialize in ADD/ADHD care and provide diagnosis- these tend to provide immediate support, but can be quite expensive (ie. over $1,000 for a diagnosis) and aren’t covered by OHIP. Fortunately, there are low-cost private clinic options available to Canadians- see below is for a list of these resources.
Low cost ADD/ADHD diagnosis clinics (at the time of writing, all options here fall under $600 for a diagnosis and provide care across Canada):
This is the list that we’ve compiled for our clients who ask about low-cost diagnosis and we hope that sharing it here will give others who want this the opportunity to get assessed as well.
If you’re looking for a therapist who practices with a neurodiverse approach, has experience supporting folks with ADHD or ADHD symptoms, and can help you work through experiences of shame, masking, emotional overwhelm, and low self-worth/self-confidence, our team of Registered Psychotherapists can help. Click here to schedule a free initial consultation with any of our available therapists and get started in your healing journey. You can also learn more about each of our therapists here.