Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most commonly wondered-about — and most commonly oversimplified — diagnoses. A proper ADHD assessment is not a checklist. It is a careful process that looks at attention, history, and how a person functions across settings, so the conclusion, whatever it is, can be trusted.
ADHD assessments at Silm Centre for Mental Health are offered to children, adolescents, and adults at our North York (Toronto) and Oakville locations.
What the assessment involves
- A thorough structured clinical interview
- A review of available files and records, including collateral information
- Extensive psychometric (psychological) testing
What you receive
At the end of the assessment, you receive documentation that outlines the findings and describes recommendations for treatment and/or accommodations for work or school — whether the conclusion is ADHD or something else that better explains what is going on.
People seek ADHD assessments for many reasons: to understand long-standing difficulties with attention, to get a second opinion, to provide documentation for medication decisions, or to support accommodations at school or work. We support assessments for all of these reasons.
The documentation from this assessment can also support disability applications — including the Disability Tax Credit, long-term disability, and ODSP.
Measures we use
The battery varies somewhat by age. For children and teens: CBRS / CEFI rating scales, the Young DIVA diagnostic interview, and WISC / WAIS cognitive testing. For adults: CAARS-2 rating scales, the DIVA diagnostic interview, WAIS cognitive testing, and WRAML / WMS memory measures.
Who does this assessment
Assessments at Silm Centre for Mental Health are conducted by our assessment team — psychologists working with psychometrists:
Psychologists
Psychometrists
Clinical Associate
Cost and first step
ADHD assessments cost $2,500–$3,000. Costs can vary depending on type of documentation required. The first step is a free initial consultation, where we gather information about what you need and explain the assessment and its cost before you commit to anything.
Our services are offered by registered psychologists (often with the support from psychometrists), which means they are often covered by extended health benefits plans.
If you are wondering about more than one thing — for example, a learning disability and a mental health concern — we can often assess for both together. We will discuss the cost of the combined assessment with you at intake, or later, if we notice during the assessment that something requires further exploration. The cost is generally $500 to $1,000 more than the cost of a single assessment, depending on the scope of the additional assessment — not the cost of both assessments added together. We will never proceed without your consent.
How we approach every assessment
Every assessment at Silm Centre for Mental Health is person-centred and trauma-informed. Where records are available, we review them; with your consent, we also gather collateral information from people who know you well. And we are always screening beyond the original question: an assessment here does not simply answer yes or no — it looks for the best explanation for a person’s symptoms and patterns, which is sometimes a different explanation than the one expected. When that happens, we may ask your consent to broaden the scope of the assessment, so the answer you get is the right one.
Common questions
How long does the whole process take?
Once you reach out to us, we aim to have your intake completed within one to two weeks, and your first testing appointment scheduled two to three weeks after that. Testing is usually done in longer sessions, and we aim to complete it within one to three appointments. After testing, we aim to have your report ready within three to four weeks — so from first contact to final report, the process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. Assessments can be completed virtually, in person at our North York or Oakville offices, or a combination of both; where possible, we prefer to meet in person for at least part of the assessment, because it gives us observational information that strengthens the report. We have no waitlist, and evening and weekend appointments are available.
Can adults be assessed for ADHD?
Yes. Many adults seek assessment after years of wondering, after a child’s diagnosis prompts reflection, or when work demands expose long-standing difficulties. We assess children, adolescents, and adults.
What if it’s not ADHD?
Then the assessment has still done its job: the process is designed to clarify what is going on, and the documentation will describe findings and recommendations either way.
Do you offer support after a diagnosis?
Yes — Silm Centre for Mental Health also offers ADHD coaching ($225 per 50-minute session; a diagnosis is not required) and periodic ADHD skills groups, alongside psychotherapy.
I did well in high school. Can I still have ADHD?
Yes. Good grades do not rule out ADHD. Many people do well in structured settings, in subjects that genuinely interest them, or by compensating with enormous effort. Difficulties often surface when the external structure disappears and self-management takes over — university, work, parenting. An assessment looks at your history and how you function across settings, not at a report card alone.
What is high masking?
Masking is the work of hiding or compensating for your difficulties to get through the day: over-preparing, leaning on last-minute urgency, hiding disorganization, working twice as hard to look on top of things. People who mask heavily are often missed for years because they appear to be coping — the cost is paid privately, in exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout. It’s one reason an assessment looks at your history and inner experience, not only how you present in the room.
Book a free initial consultation: fill out our initial consultation form, or book an intake with one of our psychologists. You can also reach us at (416) 384-1111 · admin@silmmentalhealth.com