Whether you’re a parent in Calgary watching your child struggle to focus through another homework session, a young professional in Edmonton wondering why simple tasks feel impossibly hard, or a family in rural Alberta searching for answers, you’re not alone. ADD and ADHD affects thousands of Albertans, and understanding this condition is the first step toward meaningful support.
Key Takeaways
- ADD and ADHD are highly heritable neuro-developmental conditions rooted in brain development, not caused by “bad parenting,” laziness, or too much screen time. Large twin studies estimate heritability at approximately 70–80%, meaning genetics plays the primary role in who develops ADHD symptoms.
- ADD and ADHD brains are 1/3 less mature than the non-ADHD brains. This means that when you look at brain maturity on a scan, the brain appears less dense. If your child is 15, their brain maturity for executive functioning is 10; if they are 12, it is around 8; if they are 30, it is around 20. The ADHD brain is developing behind schedule.
- ADD and ADHD can look dramatically different in younger children, teenagers, and adults—especially in women, who are often missed in childhood because their inattentive symptoms are less disruptive. Many Albertans receive their first diagnosis well into adulthood.
- There is minimal agreement among medical professionals regarding how ADHD shows up in adults. We need to take into consideration anxiety, depression and trauma in the presentation of symptoms.
- High-quality ADHD Assessments are available locally in Alberta, offering clarity for families and adults who have spent years wondering why things feel so hard.
- Evidence-based support includes medication, ADHD Coaching, Child Therapy, and Individual Therapy for Adults, along with practical accommodations at school, work, and home.
- With the right supports, people with ADD and ADHD can thrive—harnessing their creativity, energy, and unique perspectives while reducing the daily friction that holds them back.
- The old reference to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD) is no longer used. It is an outdated term. Symptoms are seen on a spectrum. If you have ADD, it is now referred to as ADHD-I or ADHD predominantly inattentive type.
What ADD and ADHD Means for Families and Adults Living in Alberta
Picture this: A parent in Calgary sits at the kitchen table, watching their 8-year-old son erase the same math problem for the fourth time. His teacher says he’s bright but “won’t apply himself.” He loses his winter mitts every week. By 4 p.m., he’s melting down over nothing.
Or imagine a 32-year-old accountant in Edmonton, staring at her overflowing inbox, wondering why she can never seem to catch up—even though she works twice as hard as her colleagues. She’s been called scattered, flaky, even lazy. Neither of them knows yet that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might explain everything.
If you’ve heard both “ADD” and “ADHD” and wondered what the difference is, you’re not alone. ADD—attention deficit disorder—was the term used in earlier versions of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Today, the official diagnosis is simply ADHD, with different presentations that capture the range of how symptoms show up. The term “ADD” is still commonly used, especially to describe the predominantly inattentive presentation where hyperactivity isn’t obvious.
ADHD is a chronic neuro-developmental disorder that affects attention, motivation, impulse control, emotional regulation, task switching, and time management across the lifespan. We call these skills executive functioning, or EF. It’s not something children simply “grow out of.” For many people, the challenges evolve but persist—sometimes becoming more obvious in adulthood when the demands of careers, relationships, and parenting pile up.
ADHD commonly co-occurs with other mental health conditions. Research shows that up to 50% of children with ADHD also meet criteria for anxiety disorders, and 30–50% experience mood disorders like depression. Sleep problems, learning disabilities, and even bipolar disorder appear at higher rates in people with ADHD. Children will also experience headaches and stomach aches. This overlap can make diagnosis more complex—but also more important.
In Alberta, stigma, rural access barriers, and long public healthcare waitlists can delay diagnosis for months or even years. Many families wait 6–12 months just to see a specialist. Private ADHD Assessments in Alberta can shorten this process, offering families and adults a faster path to understanding and support.
How ADD and ADHD Symptoms Show Up: Signs in Children, Teens, and Adults
ADHD looks different at different ages and often appears more “inattentive” than “hyperactive”—especially in girls and adult women. The stereotypical image of ADHD is a hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls, but this picture misses many people whose struggles are quieter and internal.
Understanding how symptoms of ADHD present across the lifespan helps parents recognize patterns in their children and helps adults finally make sense of lifelong challenges.
Children with ADD and ADHD
In younger children, ADD and ADHD often shows up as constant movement, daydreaming, difficulty following multi-step instructions, and emotional meltdowns—especially after school when their coping resources are depleted. Parents describe children who seem to “not listen,” lose things constantly, and struggle to sit still during homework or meals.
Common signs in children include:
- Daydreaming or “zoning out” during class or conversations
- Constant fidgeting, squirming, or needing to move
- Big emotions and meltdowns after school, often over small frustrations
- Difficulty following instructions with multiple steps
- Frequent calls from teachers about blurting out answers or not paying attention
- Losing homework, winter gear, or school supplies repeatedly
Teens with ADD and ADHD
By adolescence, hyperactive impulsive symptoms may become less visible, replaced by internal restlessness, emotional volatility, and growing conflicts with parents over independence. Teens with ADHD often have trouble staying focused on long-term goals, even when they genuinely want to succeed.
Common signs in teens include:
- Missed assignments despite good intentions and last-minute panic
- Risky driving habits on Alberta highways
- Emotional outbursts and conflicts over chores or curfews
- Chronic lateness for school buses, especially in winter
- Heavy late-night gaming or phone use affecting sleep
- Trouble paying attention in classes that don’t capture their interest
Adults with ADD and ADHD
In adults, ADHD often looks like chronic disorganization, time blindness, unfinished projects, and relationship strain. Many adults with ADHD were never diagnosed as children because they compensated with intelligence, anxiety-driven effort, or supportive environments—until life’s demands outpaced their coping strategies.
Common signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults include:
- Chronic lateness despite best efforts
- Piles of unfinished projects at home and work
- Cluttered homes, cars, or email inboxes
- “Time blindness”—difficulty estimating how long tasks take
- Relationship conflict over forgetfulness, missed commitments, or not “listening”
- Work performance that swings between brilliance and burnout
- Trouble focusing during meetings or conversations
These everyday struggles connect to underlying executive function challenges—the brain’s ability to plan, prioritize, regulate emotions, and shift between tasks. Research consistently shows that executive function deficits are central to ADHD across the lifespan.
ADD and ADHD Presentations: Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined
The diagnostic criteria for ADD and ADHD include three presentations, each describing a different pattern of symptoms. Understanding these helps explain why ADHD can look so different from one person to the next.
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
This ADHD presentation—sometimes still called ADD—involves quietly struggling rather than visibly disrupting. People with this presentation often lose items, zone out in class or meetings, take much longer than expected to complete homework or tasks, and underperform in Alberta schools or workplaces despite strong abilities. They make careless mistakes not because they don’t care, but because their attention span wavers without their awareness. This presentation is more common in girls and women and is frequently missed or misattributed to anxiety or lack of effort.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
This presentation involves visible fidgeting, constant talking, interrupting others, racing thoughts, and difficulty waiting. Children with hyperactive impulsive ADHD may struggle to stay seated during school assemblies or wait their turn in line at hockey arenas. Adults may feel driven by an internal motor, talk over colleagues, or make impulsive decisions about spending or commitments. These impulsive behaviours are often noticed earlier because they’re more disruptive.
Combined Presentation
The combined presentation mixes both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, representing the most common form of ADHD. In childhood, this presentation is often the most noticeable. By late teens and adulthood, hyperactivity may evolve into more internal restlessness—racing thoughts, difficulty relaxing, or a constant need for stimulation.
It’s important to know that presentations can shift over time. A child diagnosed with hyperactive impulsive ADHD may look more inattentive as an adult. Research also shows sex differences: boys are more likely to show hyperactive symptoms, while girls more often present with inattentive symptoms, contributing to under-diagnosis in females.
Emotional Dysregulation and Rejection Sensitivity
Many parents often notice “big feelings” long before they ever hear the word ADHD. Many children with ADHD experience fast mood shifts, intense reactions to small frustrations, and significant difficulty calming down once upset.
This emotional dysregulation isn’t a separate problem—it’s a core feature of ADHD for many people. The same brain differences that affect attention also influence how quickly emotions rise and how hard it is to regulate them. Research links emotional dysregulation to ADHD-related differences in prefrontal-limbic brain circuits that control emotional responses.
Rejection sensitivity—sometimes called rejection sensitive dysphoria—describes the intense hurt, shame, or anger that many people with ADHD feel in response to criticism, perceived failure, or being left out. For children, this might mean sobbing for hours after a friend cancels a playdate. For adults, one slightly critical email from a boss can ruin an entire day.
“It feels like walking on eggshells around bedtime and homework—any small thing can set off a meltdown that lasts an hour.” — Parent of a 9-year-old in Red Deer
“One email from my boss saying ‘we should talk’ makes me spiral into thinking I’m about to be fired. I know it’s irrational, but I can’t stop the feeling.” — Adult with ADHD in Edmonton
Understanding that these emotional patterns are part of ADHD—not personal failures or character flaws—can be profoundly validating for families and adults alike.
Social, Relationship, and School/Work Challenges
ADHD is not just about grades or job performance reviews. It deeply affects friendships, parenting, and romantic relationships in ways that ripple through daily life.
Children and Peers
Many children with ADHD struggle socially at Alberta schools. They may miss social cues, talk too much, have trouble waiting their turn in games, or react intensely to losing. These patterns can lead to being labeled “the bad kid,” left out of birthday parties, or not picked for team sports. Peer rejection compounds the shame that often accompanies ADHD and can contribute to low self-esteem and poor self-esteem over time.
Teens and Young Adults
For teenagers, ADHD often intensifies conflict with parents over independence, curfews, and responsibilities. Risky driving on Alberta highways is a real concern—studies show teens with ADHD have significantly higher rates of accidents and traffic violations.
The transition to post-secondary education at institutions like the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, SAIT, or MRU can be overwhelming when the structure of high school disappears. Despite being outgoing, many young adults with ADHD describe profound loneliness.
Adults and Relationships
Adult relationships often bear the weight of ADHD’s invisible load. Forgotten anniversaries, impulsive spending, difficulty waiting during conversations, and an unequal division of mental load create friction. Partners without ADHD may feel like they’re parenting rather than partnering.
Unfortunately, when one partner has untreated ADHD, the rate of divorce is much higher. Some reports indicate 60 percent more in comparison to the rest of the population. It is not the ADHD that causes the divorce, but the denial of the person with ADHD who struggles to admit how their ADHD impacts their relationships.
Miscommunications multiply when one person regularly tunes out during important conversations—not from lack of caring, but from a brain that wanders.
The good news is that properly tailored supports can repair and strengthen these relationships. Child Therapy helps children develop emotional regulation and social skills. Individual Therapy for Adults addresses relationship patterns, communication challenges, and the shame that accumulates over years of struggling.
Why ADD and ADHD Happens: Genetics, Brain Differences, and Environment
Understanding why ADHD occurs helps dispel harmful myths and reduces the guilt many parents carry. ADHD is highly heritable and rooted in brain development—not caused by parenting style, discipline failures, or too much screen time.
Genetics
Research consistently shows that ADHD runs in families. If a parent or sibling has ADHD, a child’s risk increases significantly. Twin studies estimate heritability at 70–80%, meaning that genetics account for the majority of who develops ADHD. Many small genetic variants—each with tiny effects—combine to influence risk, which is why there’s no single “ADHD gene.”
For Alberta families with a strong family history of attention problems, distractibility, or impulsivity, this research offers important context. ADHD isn’t a choice or a character flaw—it’s a difference in how the central nervous system develops.
Brain Structure and Function
Neuroimaging studies reveal that, on average, people with ADHD show differences in brain structure and function—particularly in networks responsible for attention, reward processing, planning, and emotional regulation. These differences are observed at the group level in research studies, not through clinical brain scans for individual diagnosis.
The prefrontal cortex—which supports executive functions like impulse control and working memory—develops somewhat differently in people with ADHD. This helps explain why someone can be brilliant at engaging tasks (e.g. hyperfocus) while struggling with routine responsibilities.
Environmental Factors
While genetics are primary, environmental factors can interact with genetic vulnerability to increase risk. Prenatal exposures—including nicotine and alcohol use during pregnancy—are consistently associated with higher ADHD rates. Prenatal risk factors, like premature birth, low birth weight, early childhood exposure to lead, and significant early adversity can also contribute.
Digital Media, Sleep, and Modern Life in Alberta
Modern life in Alberta—long commutes, late-night hockey practices, screen-heavy homework, and dark winter months—can worsen ADHD symptoms without being the underlying cause. Understanding this distinction helps families target what they can change while accepting what they cannot.
Screens and ADHD
Research suggests a bidirectional relationship between ADHD and problematic digital media use. Children and adults with ADHD are drawn to the immediate rewards of gaming and social media, and excessive use may further strain already-challenged attention systems. However, limiting screens won’t cure ADHD—though it may help reduce symptom severity.
Sleep Matters
Sleep problems and ADHD frequently co-occur, creating a challenging cycle. ADHD makes it harder to wind down at night, and poor sleep worsens attention, emotional regulation, and impulse control the next day. In Alberta, long summer evenings can delay bedtimes, while early winter darkness disrupts circadian rhythms.
Practical strategies include:
- Turning off devices an hour before bed
- Using blue-light filters on screens during evening hours
- Establishing consistent bedtime routines year-round
- Using blackout curtains in summer and full-spectrum lights on dark winter mornings
A thorough ADHD assessment should always ask about sleep patterns, gaming habits, and social media use before finalizing a diagnosis. Sleep disorders can mimic ADHD, and addressing sleep problems is an essential part of any treatment plan.
Getting an ADD and ADHD Assessment in Alberta
After years of “just trying harder” with limited success, many Alberta parents and adults finally reach a point where they need answers. Maybe it’s a teacher’s recommendation, a partner’s observation, or simply exhaustion from fighting against invisible barriers. Whatever the trigger, seeking an assessment is a courageous step.
The Typical Pathway
In Alberta, the journey often begins with a family doctor or pediatrician. For children, teachers may provide observations and school-based data. From there, referrals may go to psychologists, psychiatrists, or nurse practitioners with expertise in ADHD. Wait times in the public system can stretch to 6–12 months or longer, which is why many families explore private ADHD assessment options.
It is important to note that many doctors still see ADD and ADHD as childhood behaviour disorders, which is an outdated belief. The reason for this is a lack of training, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada does not require in-depth training for residents in ADHD psychiatry. The Canadian health system is also burdened and cannot provide the care and diagnoses required for an accurate ADHD diagnosis.
When it comes to children, despite decades of research on the drastic improvement of ADHD with stimulant medication, half of doctors do not feel comfortable prescribing stimulants due to their lack of knowledge and outdated beliefs.
What a Comprehensive ADD and ADHD Assessment Includes
A quality ADHD assessment is more than a brief questionnaire.
The ADHD assessment process includes gathering a detailed developmental and symptom history to understand when symptoms began and how they have evolved over time. It involves interviews with parents, teachers, or partners to collect observations from multiple settings.
Standardized rating scales, such as the Vanderbilt or Conners scales, are used to compare symptoms to established norms. Additionally, reviewing report cards and work evaluations helps identify patterns across time. The assessment also screens for co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, learning disorders, and sleep issues, while medical evaluations ensure that no medical conditions mimic ADHD symptoms.
The diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM-5) requires that at least six symptoms of inattention or six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity be present before age 12, occur in two or more settings, and cause significant impairment.
Local Support at Level Up Wellness Group
At Level Up Wellness Group, ADHD Assessments offer a collaborative, thorough approach. Families and adults can expect clear feedback, a written report, and practical recommendations tailored to their situation.
Allie Kusnierczyk, or Courtney Culham, Nurse Practitioners specializing in ADHD, can conduct assessments and discuss medication options when appropriate. Janelle Downing Baker, a Canadian Certified Counsellor with expertise in ADHD, provides assessment-informed therapy and coaching to help clients implement recommendations.
It’s important to understand that there is no blood test or brain scan that can diagnose ADHD. Diagnosis is clinical, based on history and behavioural patterns—but it’s guided by well-validated criteria and should be conducted by a qualified mental health professional.
Diagnosing ADD and ADHD in Adults Who Were Missed as Kids
Many adults in Alberta did reasonably well in school—perhaps through intelligence, anxiety-driven effort, or supportive parents—only to become overwhelmed by careers, parenting, or post-secondary demands. For these adults, an ADHD diagnosis in their 30s, 40s, or beyond can be life-changing.
Adult assessments explore childhood history carefully. Old report cards, stories from parents or siblings, and evidence of longstanding patterns help establish whether symptoms began in early childhood, even if they weren’t recognized at the time. The key is demonstrating that certain symptoms have been present since before age 12, even if they only became impairing later.
Adult ADD and ADHD symptom expression often differs from childhood presentations. Hyperactivity may evolve into internal restlessness—racing thoughts, difficulty relaxing, or chronic overwhelm. Many adults present with burnout, anxiety, or depression as the visible problem, with ADHD as the unrecognized root cause. Untreated ADHD symptoms carry an increased risk for substance use, relationship breakdown, and job instability.
For adults who recognize themselves in these patterns, pursuing an assessment can open doors to understanding and effective support. After diagnosis, Individual Therapy for Adults helps process the emotional impact of a late diagnosis while building practical skills for daily life.
Differential Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Conditions
ADHD symptoms like inattention, restlessness, and emotional volatility can arise from many causes. A careful assessment always looks beyond ADHD to ensure the right diagnosis guides treatment.
Conditions that can mimic ADHD or co-occur with it include:
- Anxiety disorders: Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating from worry
- Depression: Low motivation and cognitive slowing
- Trauma-related conditions: Hyper-vigilance and difficulty focusing after adverse experiences
- Autism spectrum disorder: Overlapping challenges with attention and social interaction
- Learning disabilities and learning disorders: Struggles in specific academic areas
- Sleep disorders: Chronic sleep deprivation impairs attention and mood
- Thyroid problems: Medical conditions affecting energy and concentration
- Conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder: Behavioural challenges that may accompany ADHD
It’s common to have both ADHD and another condition. Research suggests that up to 80% of adults with ADHD have at least one co-occurring psychiatric disorder. Treatment must be tailored to address the full picture.
Trauma and adverse childhood experiences deserve special attention. Trauma can look remarkably like ADHD—or it can co-occur with ADHD, making both conditions harder to manage. Trauma-informed assessment and therapy are essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Experienced clinicians—like those at Level Up Wellness Group—routinely navigate this complexity. They explain their reasoning in clear, non-technical language, helping families and adults understand their diagnosis and what it means for next steps.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options in Alberta
Here’s the encouraging news: ADD and ADHD are highly treatable. With the right combination of supports, many Alberta families and adults see significant improvements in focus, organization, relationships, and overall quality of life.
The most robust evidence supports multimodal treatment—combining psycho-education, behavioural and cognitive-behavioural strategies, ADHD coaching, environmental accommodations, and medication when appropriate. This approach aligns with Canadian and international clinical guidelines.
Level Up Wellness Group offers multiple complementary services: ADHD Coaching, Child Therapy, and Individual Therapy for Adults. Each addresses different aspects of living well with ADHD.
ADD and ADHD Coaching and Skills Support
ADHD coaching is a practical, forward-focused partnership designed to build systems for time management, organization, motivation, and follow-through. Unlike therapy, which often explores emotions and underlying beliefs, coaching focuses on action—what can you do today to function better?
Real-Life Examples
- Creating morning routines that work even on dark, snowy Alberta winter mornings
- Breaking university papers into manageable steps with built-in accountability
- Managing paperwork and deadlines in demanding careers—whether in oil and gas, healthcare, education, or trades
- Setting up external systems (planners, apps, visual reminders) to compensate for internal challenges
At Level Up Wellness Group, ADHD Coaching includes regular sessions, accountability check-ins, and customized tools tailored to each client’s life. Coaches understand that ADHD brains work differently and help clients build structures that work with their neurology, not against it.
Child Therapy and Parent Support
For children and younger teens, therapy often focuses on emotional regulation, social skills, and behaviour strategies rather than talking “about ADHD” in abstract terms. The goal is building practical skills while helping the child feel understood and capable.
Working with Dr. Mercy, Jenn Parker, or our Child Therapy team at Level Up Wellness Group may include:
- Play-based interventions for younger children
- CBT tools adapted for kids and teens
- Regular parent check-ins to reinforce strategies at home
Parent Training and Coaching
Parents are essential partners in ADHD treatment. Parent training helps Alberta caregivers learn:
- Consistent routines that reduce daily battles
- Positive reinforcement strategies that work better than punishment
- Calm limit-setting during challenging moments
- How to support homework without taking over
Alberta-specific challenges abound: morning battles with winter gear, homework after hockey practice, and screen-time negotiations during long dark winter nights. Targeted parent support addresses these practical realities.
The payoff is real. Many families report less conflict, more connection, and better school functioning after a few months of child therapy and parent support.
Individual Therapy for Adults
Therapy for adults with ADHD often combines cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and self-compassion work. These approaches address the shame, burnout, and long histories of feeling “not good enough” that many adults carry.
Individual Therapy for Adults at Level Up Wellness Group can focus on:
- Work stress and career challenges
- Relationship patterns and communication
- Emotional regulation and managing frustration
- Building sustainable routines that don’t rely on willpower alone
Janelle Downing Baker, a Canadian Certified Counsellor at the clinic, has specialized training and experience with adult ADHD. She integrates ADHD-specific tools with broader mental health supports.
Jenny Taylor, a Registered Provisional Clinical Social Worker, Darielle Rairdan, a Registered Provisional Psychologist, or Bo Popovic, a Registered Social Worker, support individuals with the diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD.
When Late Diagnosis Changes Everything
For adults diagnosed in their 30s, 40s, or later, therapy is often crucial for processing grief about lost opportunities, navigating career changes, and reevaluating their identity. Understanding that struggles weren’t personal failures—but symptoms of an undiagnosed condition—can be profoundly healing.
Consider Sarah, a 38-year-old teacher in Red Deer who received her diagnosis after her son was assessed. Or Marcus, a tradesperson in Fort McMurray whose impulsive spending and job changes finally made sense after an adult assessment. For both, therapy provided a space to rebuild self-understanding and create a path forward.
Lifestyle Factors: Sleep, Exercise, and Nutrition
While exercise and diet alone don’t replace evidence-based behavioural interventions or medication, they meaningfully support overall wellbeing and symptom management.
Exercise
Research studies show that regular physical activity improves attention, mood, and executive function in people with ADHD. For Alberta families, options include:
- Indoor winter activities: swimming, martial arts, dance, indoor climbing
- Milder months: walking in local ravine paths, biking, outdoor sports
- Short “movement breaks” during homework or desk work
Nutrition
Balanced nutrition supports stable energy and focus:
- Regular meals prevent blood sugar crashes
- Limiting highly processed foods and energy drinks reduces symptom spikes
- Elimination diets may help some children but should only be tried with professional guidance
- Some research indicates a Mediterranean diet can also be helpful.
Sleep
Sleep strategies tailored to Alberta’s dramatic light-dark cycles include:
- Blackout curtains during long summer evenings
- Full-spectrum lights on dark winter mornings to support waking
- Consistent wind-down routines regardless of season
These lifestyle factors are helpful add-ons—not substitutes—and work best as part of a comprehensive plan developed with healthcare providers.
Living Well with ADD and ADHD in Alberta: Home, School, and Work
Many people with ADHD are creative, resilient, energetic, and entrepreneurial. The goal isn’t to eliminate these traits but to harness their strengths while reducing the distress and impairment that interfere with daily life.
Home
Practical strategies transform chaotic mornings and stressful evenings. Visual schedules on the fridge help children (and adults) track what comes next. “Launch pads” by the door—designated spots for keys, backpacks, and winter gear—reduce frantic searches. Sunday planning sessions, even just 15 minutes, help families anticipate the week ahead. Shared digital calendars keep co-parents aligned on appointments and activities.
School and Post-Secondary
Alberta’s education system—including public, Catholic, and Francophone school boards—offers accommodations for students with ADHD. Many children qualify for Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) that provide extra time on tests, preferential seating, movement breaks, or modified assignments.
At post-secondary institutions like the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, NAIT, and SAIT, students can access accommodations through disability services. These may include extended test time, separate exam rooms, audio textbooks, and note-taking assistance.
Work
Adults with ADHD thrive when their work environment is structured to support them. Common accommodations include:
- Flexible hours to match energy patterns
- Written instructions rather than verbal-only
- Noise-cancelling headphones in open offices
- Regular check-ins with supervisors
- Job carving toward tasks that leverage strengths
ADHD Coaching and therapy services help implement and maintain these strategies over time, turning initial accommodations into sustainable habits.
Finding Help and Building Your Support Team in Alberta
Navigating Alberta’s healthcare system can feel overwhelming—especially while juggling ADHD symptoms, family responsibilities, and work demands. The path forward becomes clearer with concrete steps.
Getting Started
- Talk to your family doctor or your child’s pediatrician about your concerns
- Request input from teachers and gather recent report cards or Individualized Program Plans
- Collect work evaluations or performance reviews if relevant
- Keep a symptom journal for a few weeks, noting patterns and specific examples
- Research assessment options, including private assessment services
Explore Comprehensive Care
Level Up Wellness Group offers coordinated services designed for Alberta families and adults navigating ADHD:
- ADHD Assessments provide clarity and a path forward
- ADHD Coaching builds practical skills for daily life
- Child Therapy supports emotional regulation and social development
- Individual Therapy for Adults addresses mental health, relationships, and identity
Building Your Team
The most effective support comes from a collaborative team. This might include:
- A Nurse Practitioner, like Allie Kusnierczyk and Courtney Culhum for assessment and medication management
- Assessment practitioners who specialize in diagnostics, such as Dr. Melody Morin, Jenny Taylor, Janelle Downing Baker, Darielle Rairdan or one of our other assessment specialists.[CS13]
- A counsellor, like Janelle Downing Baker or Jenny Taylor for therapy and coaching
- Psychologists for comprehensive testing when needed
- Teachers and school support staff
- Family members who understand ADHD and provide daily support
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about ADD and ADHD
Can ADD and ADHD develop in adulthood, or does it always start in childhood?
ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder, meaning the underlying brain differences are present from early childhood. However, symptoms may only become noticeable or impairing later in life—especially when demands increase with higher education, career responsibilities, or parenting. Many adults seeking assessment recognize that they struggled in childhood but weren’t identified because they compensated or their symptoms were attributed to other causes.
Can someone “grow out of” ADD and ADHD?
While some people see changes in symptom presentation over time—particularly a decrease in visible hyperactivity—executive function differences typically persist into adulthood. Research suggests that about two-thirds of children with ADD and ADHD continue to experience significant symptoms as adults. Different life stages may require new coping strategies, supports, and accommodations.
How long does an ADHD assessment take, and what does it cost in Alberta?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment typically involves 5–7sessions, including detailed history-taking, standardized questionnaires, and feedback. Costs vary depending on the provider and scope of assessment; private assessments in Alberta generally range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars. Many extended health insurance plans cover some portion of psychological or nursing services. It’s worth checking your coverage and asking clinics about their fees upfront.
What are some effective strategies to help manage ADHD symptoms daily?
Managing ADHD symptoms often involves a combination of practical strategies tailored to an individual’s needs. These can include establishing consistent routines, using organizational tools like planners and reminders, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and creating structured environments that reduce distractions. Behavioural interventions and ADHD coaching can also support skill development in time management, emotional regulation, and focus. Collaborating with healthcare providers and educators helps ensure these strategies are personalized and effective.
How do I talk to my child, partner, or employer about an ADHD diagnosis?
Start with simple, matter-of-fact language. For children: “Your brain works in a special way that makes some things harder and other things easier. We’re learning how to help you succeed.” For partners: “I’ve learned that I have ADHD, which explains a lot of the challenges we’ve noticed. I’m working on getting support.” For employers, you’re entitled to privacy about medical diagnoses; if requesting accommodations, focus on what you need rather than detailed medical history. Resources like CADDRA offer guides for these conversations.
