“preliminary testing” and other kinds of screenings aren’t super useful to patients. they mainly exist for doctors to use as supplemental evidence alongside their professional judgment to justify writing a referral for full testing.

I was screened twice in elementary school and once in college at teachers’ requests, and my screening results indicated I was “unlikely” to have ADHD. But I was diagnosed at 29 years old because I finally listened to the psychiatrist and stopped insisting that I couldn’t possibly have it because [insert list of misinformed wrong lines of reasoning].

it’s worth looking for testing services that offer sliding scale fees. sometimes they have long wait times, sometimes not. i hope you guys find the care you need, good luck <3