Where can we get a more accurate diagnosis for ADHD?"

[Grace4422]

"We just landed in Calgary, Canada, and have scheduled a doctor's appointment for a diagnosis, but the wait is quite long. Where can we get a more accurate diagnosis for ADHD?"

[Onthemove1971]

Welcome! You could enroll your child in school and then write a letter of request for educational purposes. It usually take 60 days in thr states. This could be then given to the child's doctor/therapist.

It would be great if you also think about what tools you will be given your child before the appt. Then you can request them while you are there.

Hope this helps

We are always here for you.

[Nancy1949 in reply to Onthemove1971]

I live in Calgary as well and my grandson was tested and diagnosed by an ADHD psychologist. If you google “ADHD psychologist in Calgary” several pop up. Also speak with his school as they do testing but could take a long time, However the psychologist is very expensive but worth it if you don’t want to wait.

[STEM_Dad]

My advice is to request for the school to have your child evaluated for ADHD, and other individualized needs. Be prepared to be persistent, since asking just once probably won't be enough. Be your child's advocate. Be rational and respectful, but be persistent.

There are limited resources available, so expect that it might take weeks or months to get the assessment scheduled and done.

In the US, I know that a personal care physician can provide an ADHD diagnosis. (My own diagnosis was done by a family practitioner, and he used a computerized assessment for adult ADHD. He also asked me questions related to my history and struggles due to my ADHD. Even then, he did a follow-up assessment after I had been on anti-anxiety medication for a month.)

~~~~~

I once worked as an office assistant for a special education department at a charter school in the US. It was my job to schedule the testing with the school psychologist.

ADHD testing was one of the services performed by the psychologist, at the request of the school.

The charter school was also it's own school district, which didn't employ it's own school psychologist, but instead would contract with one from one of the other nearby school districts. (I think that one time, a different I was asked to contact a different psychologist from a different school district. I think it was because the regular one was already booked up.)

Testing services arranged by the school were paid for by the school.

[STEM_Dad in reply to STEM_Dad]

I mentioned my diagnosis by my physician, because I think if you can get an initial diagnosis from a doctor, then it might give you more influence with the school district for them to arrange an assessment by a school psychologist.

I haven't heard of anyone using this approach, but I image it has been done lots of times, since I know that the initial diagnosis is often done by pediatricians and personal care physicians.