What questions should I ask before paying for a private ADHD service?

This is a smart thing to pause and think through before committing, especially given the cost and emotional weight of an ADHD assessment. Clinically, the first thing to ask is about assessment quality. Who is doing the assessment, what credentials they hold, and whether the evaluation includes a full clinical interview, developmental history, and functional impairment review rather than just questionnaires. ADHD diagnosis should never be based on forms alone. Ask how diagnoses are made and documented. Will you receive a formal diagnostic report that is usable for work, school, or other clinicians? Clarify whether follow up care is included or billed separately, and what support exists after diagnosis. Medication practices matter. Ask who prescribes, how medication decisions are made, and how side effects or adjustments are handled. A reputable service emphasizes monitoring and shared decision making, not quick scripts. Transparency is key. Ask about total costs, refund policies, wait times, and what happens if ADHD is not diagnosed. Ethical services are clear upfront. Finally, notice how you feel. If a service pressures you, guarantees outcomes, or minimizes complexity, that is a red flag. Good care should feel thorough, respectful, and paced, not rushed or transactional.