Looking for advice on ADHD assessment wait times for children in Canada

Hi everyone,

I’m based in Canada and I’m hoping to get some advice from other parents who may have been through something similar.

My older child was diagnosed with ADHD about 5–6 years ago through the usual referral process with our family doctor. At the time, the wait was long but manageable.

Recently, I’ve started noticing similar signs in my younger child, difficulty focusing, emotional outbursts, and struggles at school that seem more than just “normal behaviour for age.” It’s made me concerned that it could also be ADHD.

We spoke to our family doctor, but were told that the wait time for assessment in Canada can be several months to over a year depending on the area.

I completely understand the system is under pressure, but it feels difficult watching things progress while waiting.

I was wondering if other parents here in Canada have gone through this, how did you manage the waiting period?

Did you find any practical ways to support your child in the meantime, or any pathways (school referrals, private options, etc.) that helped speed things up?

Any experiences would really mean a lot. Thank you.