For many parents in Detroit, the first step toward understanding a child’s struggles is a psychological assessment. Rebecca Krawczak, a clinical psychology PhD candidate and assessment coordinator at the Wayne State University Psychology Clinic, says families are often quoted $1,000 to $5,000 for private testing, depending on the services required and their insurance coverage.
Wayne State mitigates that burden by using an income‑based sliding‑fee scale, a relief that many families welcome. However, the clinic’s capacity is limited. Current estimates put the wait at about five months for children and as long as a year for adults. Those timelines can shift quickly as referrals and training capacity fluctuate.
Scope of the need
Michigan data underscore the urgency. The 2023‑2024 National Survey of Children’s Health reports that 13% of children ages 3 to 17—roughly 228,000 youngsters—have been diagnosed with ADHD, and 4.3%—about 76,000—have autism spectrum disorder. During the 2024‑25 school year, more than 55,000 Michigan students received an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a specific learning disability.
Even when a child’s need for help is recognized, accessing a comprehensive assessment remains a challenge. Public schools are required to evaluate students suspected of needing special education, but timely access is uneven. The Detroit Public Schools Community District disclosed that 72 initial evaluations missed the state deadline through March 2026.
Local efforts and gaps
Only about 4% of clinical psychologists in Michigan specialize in child and adolescent care, placing the state among the nation’s worst for mental‑health professional shortages, according to the Children’s Foundation. The foundation’s Behavioral Health Scholarship seeks to build a pipeline of child‑ and family‑focused clinicians, a critical investment for the future.
Some local providers are stepping up. Tiffany Abrego, Ph.D., LP, founder of Thriving Families Psychological Services, is expanding her practice with an initiative called Thriving Communities to offer lower‑cost assessments. While individual psychologists cannot solve the systemic shortage alone, reserving even one or two reduced‑fee assessment slots each year could make a meaningful difference.
Calls for broader support
Hospitals, universities, and philanthropic groups could help subsidize evaluations, and insurers should treat psychological assessment as essential care—covering all medically necessary testing, reimbursing the many hours required, and ensuring families can find in‑network providers.
The American Psychological Association’s General Principle B urges psychologists to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation. While this is an aspiration rather than a requirement, it highlights the profession’s ethical responsibility to serve those in need, regardless of wealth.
Why timely assessment matters
An assessment does more than label a diagnosis; it helps families understand that a child’s struggles are not simply defiance, laziness, or failure. Accurate identification can guide appropriate educational accommodations, therapeutic interventions, and support services, improving outcomes for the child and easing the burden on families.
Detroit families should not have to wait half a school year—or spend thousands of dollars—to learn what support their children need. Expanding affordable assessment services, even modestly, can have far‑reaching consequences for the health and future of the community.
Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.
