What options exist if I can’t afford a private assessment?

If a private assessment is not financially feasible, there are still several public or lower-cost pathways people commonly explore. The most common route is through a family physician or nurse practitioner, who can assess symptoms, rule out medical contributors, and refer to a publicly funded psychiatrist for diagnostic clarification and treatment. Many psychiatrists do carry out ADHD assessments within the public system, particularly when symptoms are causing significant functional impairment. The major downside of this pathway is long wait times, which can range from many months to over a year depending on region and service availability. Some hospital-based outpatient mental health clinics also provide assessments, especially if there are comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use, or significant functional decline. Access is typically needs-based, meaning individuals with higher clinical complexity may be prioritized. In certain areas, community mental health programs or teaching clinics affiliated with universities offer assessments at reduced cost, sometimes conducted by supervised trainees. While these assessments are often thorough, availability can be limited. For many people, the public pathway is slower, but it remains a legitimate and commonly used option when private care is not accessible.