With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD now widely recognised, many young Australians are asking why getting a diagnosis is so difficult.

According to the ADHD Foundation, in Australia, to get a diagnosis in Australia the process has involved going to your GP with concerns and then being referred to a psychologist to make a full assessment.

According to the WA Government, this week a group of GPs began training that will enable them to diagnose ADHD in patients 10-years-old and older. The 65 GPs are expected to complete this program by August 2026. This reform aims to remedy the problems people face when seeking a diagnosis. It is part of a $1.3 million investment to strengthen ADHD care in WA.

UWA student Georgie Miller was diagnosed at 14 with ADHD, now at 19 years old she said it was not easy for her to get her diagnosis.

She said: “It’s definitely not as easy as getting a diagnosis for something like anxiety. … Some of my friends who are trying to get a diagnosis, they’re on a waitlist that’s, something ridiculous, around six months.”

Georgie’s mother, Rebecca Miller, was diagnosed later in life, prompted by her son’s diagnosis. She said: “We had just happened to be sitting with the psychologist who did the diagnosis, and he was describing what ADHD looked like in adulthood, and my husband at the time and I were looking at each other thinking, well that’s me.”

With proper treatment, she’s seen a positive difference in her day-to-day life. She said: “I’ve been compensating all my life, not knowing I was compensating by working very, very hard. It is crazy when you take medication, and you genuinely need it. The clarity and motivation it brings you is quite amazing.” 

Her daughter Georgie said: “I just felt like I always thought differently to everyone else, like my brain just worked differently. So, obviously, it helps having a diagnosis.”

Cost is another barrier. ADHD Therapy Australia said an assessment can range anywhere from $1500 to $3000, and is not covered by Medicare. Making the process harder for young Australians to seek support.

Rebecca Miller said: “The ADHD assessment, which included the WISC intelligence test and reporting, cost was approximately $1400 for each of us. I don’t recall being eligible for any rebates at the time for our testing costs.”

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) test is a type of IQ test used to assess cognitive strengths and weaknesses of a child in order to diagnose them, and is used for all ADHD assessments according to North Sydney Psychology Clinic.

The Royal Australian College of GPs said it has been working closely with the WA Government since February on the new AHDH initiative, aimed at helping patients over the age of 10 to be diagnosed and treated by specialist GPs.

The initiative specifically aims to help people of socioeconomic disadvantage and people who live in rural areas to limit barriers that can slow down the diagnosis process.

Although 65 GPs have commenced the training, 400 expressed interest in doing it, illustrating a strong demand, unlikely to ease until the first class graduates in August next year.

In the meantime, support facilities are now expanding to meet the demand. Bright Spark Malaga director Rob Cannella has made it his company’s mission to support neurodivergent people by helping them find practical solutions to day-to-day living.

Bright Spark does this through counselling, ADHD and Autism clinics, FIFO support programs, and employee assistance programs.

He said: “When we move into adulthood, if we haven’t had therapy or some sort of support, it can manifest as anxiety and depression.”

The ADHD Foundation said counselling can play an important role in improving the lives of people with ADHD, helping them to develop coping strategies and building confidence.

Mr Cannella said there can be many barriers affecting people living with ADHD: “Social interaction is difficult, most young people and kids who have ADHD have lower self-esteem … and schools are not designed for ADHD or neurodivergent kids.”

Asked about the new GP training, he said he doesn’t think it will make much difference: “I don’t think things will change much, except that parents will have more accessibility to medication for their kids … they need more practical strategies, medication is not enough.”