Parents Shell Out Thousands as Sky-High Fees and Long Waiting Lists Plague ADHD Treatments for Kids

Cameron Petricevich is a man on a mission—a mission that takes him on an emotional rollercoaster filled with diagnoses, treatments, and an ever-growing stack of medical bills. With three neurodivergent children, Cameron and his wife have opened their wallets and let loose a staggering **$60,000** over the past five years just to help their kids get the care they need. Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s enough money to fund a small vacation in the Bahamas—or at least a couple of nice dinners that don’t involve a side of financial anxiety.

Living in Albany, a picturesque spot on the southern coast of Western Australia, Cameron faced the heartbreaking reality of navigating a complex healthcare system. His two youngest sons carry ADHD diagnoses, and one has autism thrown into the mix for good measure. And let’s not forget the eldest daughter, whose ADHD diagnosis he describes as a “near impossible task,” a sentiment I’m sure resonates with many parents who’ve tried to decipher the mystifying world of mental health assessments.

Initially, they sought help through the public system—because who doesn’t love the thrill of a long waiting list? But with pressure mounting from the teachers urging for action and palpable urgency at home, they pivoted to private telehealth consultations with a doctor based in Perth. Because why wait for help when you could pay a small fortune for it? “Schools push so hard,” said Cameron, sharing the burden of their journey with the sympathetic ear of ABC Radio Perth's Nadia Mitsopoulos. “We were on the public waiting list, which was taking far too long. We had to go private to get that diagnosis.” The irony here is almost palpable—families seeking help are left to scramble for solutions like they’re rushing to catch a flight, or worse, running out of water in a desert.

Flashback four years: the first consultation with a pediatrician cost a whopping **$900**—only a smidgen covered by Medicare. Fast forward to today, and his daughter’s initial appointment is quoted at **$1,600**! Meanwhile, each medication review for his bouncing boys is **$525** per visit. It’s as if the healthcare system operates with a pricing model akin to a fancy restaurant where no one wants to ask for the check. When Cameron crunched the numbers, he realized they’ve spent an eyebrow-raising **$60,000**, encompassing everything from pediatricians to speech pathologists, all while praying to the gods of good health that their efforts pay off.

The real kicker? The pressure to pay for these treatments is creating schisms in family finances. “My wife works full-time, and I’m out there driving trucks 60, 70 hours a week,” Cameron lamented. “We don’t have the luxury to choose.” He speaks out not because they have figured it out but because so many haven’t. What about those families that can’t afford these outrageous prices? Cameron paints a bleak picture of kids missing out on vital care—the kind of care that could mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving in a classroom setting. “My wife is in education, and she sees it every day,” he admitted, indicating that he doesn’t just feel the burden; he sees the ripple effects across the community.

In tandem with Cameron’s trials, Perth GP Tim Leahy is beating the drums for change. As a father of two sons with ADHD himself, Tim knows a thing or two about the stresses of this healthcare labyrinth. “We pride ourselves on our quality health system in Australia,” he remarked, “but if it’s not affordable and accessible, what are we really doing?” The urgency behind Tim’s words rings like a clarion call for reform. After all, if kids aren’t getting the treatment they need, what does that say about our collective responsibility?

Dr. Leahy has some ideas sprouting in that medically-trained brain of his. He’s got his sights set on a proposal that would see GPs handle more of the ADHD diagnosis and treatment—essentially democratizing access to care. “We can’t have a monopoly on treatment costs,” he insisted, highlighting that with especially high costs, families are being penalized for needing support. They should be able to rely on their healthcare system instead of being forced into financial despair, seeking solutions like they’re on a scavenger hunt.

As Cameron reflects on the staggering costs, he emphasizes just how much this impacts their family life, joking about how food prices are skyrocketing at the same time. “That's a lot of money we could do other things with,” he mused, perhaps dreaming of a day when groceries are less of a financial triathlon. Instead, he’s navigating this critical path for his family, where every dollar spent has become a testament not just to love, but to resilience. If nothing else, it certainly makes for an eye-opening narrative that underlines the urgent need for reform, empathy, and, perhaps most importantly, more accessible and affordable healthcare solutions for families everywhere.