If you’re an Alberta adult and asking yourself if you could have ADHD, you’re not alone. Vast numbers of adults remain undiagnosed for decades, living with the symptoms of inattention, trouble with time, restlessness, or impulsivity without understanding what’s behind their day-to-day difficulties. At Compass Clinic, we’re committed to empowering adults to gain insight, when one looks into ADHD assessment for adults, including adult ADHD assessments in BC, it’s useful to understand key standards — what elements are required, who can do the diagnosing, cost, wait times, and what supports are typically part of the process.
Here’s what you need to know about being assessed, what the process is like, what it may cost, and what help is available in Alberta.
What is an Adult ADHD Assessment?
An adult ADHD assessment is a standardized evaluation to see if a person qualifies as having ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). It usually includes:
Careful clinical interview to discuss your life history, symptoms, duration they have been there, and how limiting they are.
Standardised questionnaires (self-report and occasionally third-party; e.g. partner, employer, family) to assess the degree of severity and frequency of symptoms.
Check-up of developmental history—that is, childhood signs.
Occasionally cognitive or psychological testing to assess how things like attention, executive function, impulse control, and working memory are functioning.
Feedback session wherein results are interpreted and suggestions provided (lifestyle, therapy, medication, accommodations, etc.).
Our adult ADHD evaluation is conducted remotely by a registered psychologist at Compass Clinic. The assessment appointment lasts roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, then a follow-up feedback session (approximately 30 minutes) after results review.
ADHD Assessment in Alberta: How It Works
If you are based in Alberta and need an ADHD assessment for adults, the following are the usual pathways:
Through Public Health System
You can begin with your GP. If your doctor suspects that ADHD is an option, they might refer you to a psychiatrist or mental health specialist through Alberta Health Services (AHS). The psychiatric evaluation is funded under the public system. Wait times are long.
Private Clinics or Psychologists
Numerous individuals opt to undergo private clinics or psychologists for an in-depth and prompt ADHD evaluation. These are not necessarily covered by Alberta Health. Fees range depending on the comprehensiveness of the assessment.
Online/Virtual Assessment
There are Alberta virtual options where you can do a lot of the assessment from home (questionnaires, interviews) and video or telehealth sessions. Part of the questionnaires / intake is available online. Compass Clinic provides fully virtual assessments.
Why Some Adults Go Undiagnosed or Untreated
Symptoms in adults may appear different than in children (less overt hyperactivity, more internal restlessness, trouble organizing).
Some adults acquire coping skills that hide or cover up ADHD characteristics.
May be the presence of comorbid conditions (learning disorders, anxiety, depression) complicating or delaying diagnosis.
Cost, lengthy wait times in the public system, low awareness that ADHD continues into adulthood, etc.
What Happens After Assessment
If you are diagnosed with ADHD, your assessment report will typically have:
Which ADHD presentation you fall under (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, combined).
How disabling and disabling your symptoms are.
Treatment recommendations: may involve therapy (cognitive behaviour therapy etc.), ADHD coaching, lifestyle modifications, supports such as structure, organisational aids, etc.
If required, medication recommendations (which must be prescribed by a GP, psychiatrist, or other prescriber clinician).
If applicable, work/school accommodations (e.g. extended time, flexibility, minimal distraction).
FAQs
Here are elaborate answers to frequently asked questions:
1. How can I get an ADHD assessment as an adult?
To get an ADHD assessment as an adult in Alberta, you can:
Talk to your family doctor (GP)
Explain your concerns—difficulty concentrating, time management problems, etc. The GP can do an initial evaluation, use screening questionnaires, and refer you to a psychiatrist if needed.
Contact a private psychologist or assessment clinic
If you prefer a more rushed or more intensive evaluation (such as cognitive testing, etc.), you may opt for a private clinic. These may pay fees but can offer more detailed evaluation and advice.
Use virtual/telehealth options
Some clinics (such as Compass Clinic) provide virtual assessments—online questionnaires, video interviews, feedback sessions. This can save travel time and make it easier to access.
Check your insurance or benefits
Check if your extended health plan pays for part or all of the psychological assessment. Hold on to all receipts.
2. How do adults get diagnosed with ADHD?
The evaluation typically includes:
Intake forms/questionnaires regarding symptoms.
- Clinical interview: exploring current and past history (childhood behaviour, academic/work history, medical conditions, substance use, family history).
- Rating scales (self-report and sometimes report from someone close to you) about attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, organization, etc
- Optional extra testing (neuropsychological or cognitive testing) to understand attention, executive function, working memory, etc., especially if there are learning difficulties or overlapping issues.
- Feedback of results and recommendations.
3. How to evaluate ADHD in adults / How to evaluate for ADHD in adults?
“Assess ADHD in adults” or “assess for ADHD in adults” equals doing the above steps.
Key is to make sure:
The symptoms started prior to age 12 (according to DSM‑5 TR).
Symptoms have been present across greater than one setting (work, home, social).
They are impairing functioning (job, relationships, daily life).
Excluding other causes (sleep problems, worry, depression, drug use) that could account for some symptoms.
The better the interview and the greater the number of information sources, the more accurate the assessment.
4. How to test ADHD adults in Alberta?
How to get tested:
- Call your GP and request a referral to a psychiatrist or mental health professional.
- If you like, call a psychologist or private clinic directly and schedule an ADHD assessment. Some clinics ask you to do intake questionnaires prior to the actual assessment.
- If virtual is more convenient, select a clinic that provides online assessment (Compass Clinic, some others in Alberta do).
- Prepare to share your developmental history (school records, childhood symptoms), current functioning, and possibly third‐party reports.
- Attend a feedback session after your assessment to understand results, whether diagnosis is made, and plan forward.
5. Are ADHD assessments covered by Alberta health care?
This is one of the most asked questions, and the answer is nuanced:
Yes, if done through the public health system (through family doctor → psychiatrist or specialist), that portion is paid by Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS). So no direct fee for the physician/psychiatrist component. But waits can be extensive.
No, or at least partially, when it is conducted through private psychologists or private assessment clinics. These are generally not paid for by Alberta Health (physicians and psychiatrists), so you will need to pay privately or use private insurance.
Part of the cost is covered by some insurance plans if the assessment is conducted by a psychologist and the plan covers psychological/mental health services. Always check your individual plan.
Why Select Compass Clinic?
Compass Clinic’s adult ADHD testing is specialized, virtual, evidence‑based, and conducted by registered psychologists with deep experience in adult ADHD. We’re committed to providing you with clarity, comprehension, and recommendations—and not merely a label. Our process guarantees that you receive:
A thorough interview
Intake questionnaires
Online/virtual testing
Feedback session
A written report with next steps
Although we do not write prescriptions, we can assist you so that you will be able to work in conjunction with your GP, psychiatrist, or other prescribing doctor. We intend to be there for you throughout the entire process after receiving the results.
Conclusion
If you are an adult living in Alberta and think ADHD may be impacting your life—whether it’s impacting your job, your relationships, or your emotional health—undergoing an ADHD test for adults can change your life. Knowing if your symptoms correlate with ADHD provides you with new tools, techniques, and potential treatments to enhance concentration, minimize overwhelm, and help you achieve goals.
If you need assistance or wish to investigate whether ADHD evaluation is appropriate for you—please don’t hesitate to reach out to Compass Clinic. We’re here with clarity, compassion, and respect.
Contact us to book consultation.