Psychological assessment is a gateway to care. Too many Detroit families can’t access it.

October 10, 2026

Detroit-area families seeking psychological assessments for their children face significant financial and accessibility barriers, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 out-of-pocket and wait times extending up to five months at affordable university clinics. The crisis is compounded by a severe shortage of child and adolescent psychologists in Michigan, where approximately 228,000 children have ADHD and 76,000 have autism spectrum disorder, yet only 4% of clinical psychologists specialize in pediatric care. While public schools are required to evaluate students for special education services, they struggle to meet legal deadlines, and families often find themselves caught between inadequate school resources and unaffordable private assessments.

Who is affected

Detroit families and parents seeking psychological assessments for their children
Children with ADHD (approximately 228,000 in Michigan), autism spectrum disorder (approximately 76,000), and specific learning disabilities (over 55,000 with IEPs)
Families unable to afford $1,000-$5,000 out-of-pocket assessment costs
Students in Detroit Public Schools Community District (where 72 initial evaluations missed state deadlines)
Individual psychologists and clinical practices attempting to provide affordable care

What action is being taken

Wayne State University Psychology Clinic is providing assessments using an income-based sliding-fee scale
The Children's Foundation is offering a Behavioral Health Scholarship to build a pipeline of child- and family-focused clinicians in Michigan
Dr. Tiffany Abrego is developing Thriving Communities as part of her practice to expand access to lower-cost care
Public schools are conducting evaluations for students suspected of needing special education services

Why it matters

Timely psychological assessments are essential for accurately understanding children's struggles and determining appropriate support, preventing suffering from being misinterpreted as behavioral problems or academic failure. The current barriers—high costs and lengthy wait times—leave thousands of Michigan children without necessary diagnoses and interventions during critical developmental periods. Access to these evaluations should not depend on family wealth, as they fundamentally alter educational opportunities and life trajectories for struggling children.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com