ADHD Policy

Attention Deficit disorder, with or without Hyperactivity is a neurological disorder that frequently cooccurs with other disorders such as Learning Disabilities and mood and anxiety disorders. Diagnosis is made through clinical assessment but is also supported or confirmed by psychological testing. Testing is also beneficial in assessing for co-occurring disorders that would need to be treated first or disorders that require non-pharmacological treatment such as Learning Disabilities. Students who require or wish to request academic assistance (such as study skills or advice) should contact the Bradley University Center for Academic Success at (309) 677-2416. Those seeking accommodations should contact Student Access Services at (309) 677-3654.

Bradley University students who wish to seek out pharmacological treatment of ADHD and/or explore the possibility of this diagnosis, will be required to provide specific documentation as described below. It will be the responsibility of the student to request these documents from their hometown provider be sent to Bradley University Health Services and the responsibility of the student to ensure receipt has occurred.

Most medications used to treat ADD/ADHD are controlled substances and must be used with caution. They are not intended for recreational use or to inappropriately enhance studying. They should not be mixed with alcohol or street drugs and can have interactions with some other prescription and over-thecounter medications. Misuse can have serious health consequences.

There are strict laws for the prescribing, dispensing and use of these medications. Sharing or selling these medications is a felony and legal penalties include jail time and fines.

For students who have received a previous diagnosis of ADD or AD/HD from an outside agency or provider:

1. Records or a summary letter from the student’s current prescribing physician that includes date of diagnosis, treatments and clinical responses and/or side effects—including all medications and doses.
2. Copies of all psychological testing that has previously been conducted. If this has not been previously conducted, the student will need to seek this out as described later in this policy, before receiving treatment at Health Services
3. Summary of academic achievement and scores on standardized testing may be requested at the initial appointment.

Appropriate documentation is required prior to consideration of ADD/ADHD pharmacological treatment at Health Services. After the information has been received, it will be reviewed before an appointment can be made.

For students who present with diagnosis but no documentation or have not been previously diagnosed and would like to be assessed for ADD/ADHD:

If you are concerned about ADD/ADHD, the following is required for consideration of treatment at Health Services and Counseling:

1. Student will initially be scheduled for a clinical interview with one of our counselors. This interview will include history, symptom profile, impairment and self report questionnaires across different domains. If a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is the primary concern, the next step will be required.
2. A comprehensive psychological assessment will need to be completed by a community provider with relevant training and experience. (A list of local providers is attached.) This assessment will need to include the following:
   1. A diagnostic interview and developmental history
   2. Assessment of intellectual/cognitive functioning (testing such as WAIS-IV)
   3. Achievement testing (such as WRAT-R or Woodcock-Johnson)
   4. Mood disorder testing (such as MMPI and/or Beck’s Depression/Anxiety Inventories) to rule out alternative diagnoses
3. A report of testing and assessment complete with diagnostic findings and recommendations will then need to be sent to the counselor at Health Services Counseling Center for review and to schedule a feedback interview with the student. The student will be responsible for the cost of this assessment.
4. The feedback interview will review the results of the psychological assessment. If possible pharmacological treatment for ADD/ADHD is warranted, an appointment will be scheduled with a Health Services and Counseling physician.
5. The treating physician will decide upon best pharmacological treatment based on history and medical conditions.

For students receiving medication for ADD/ADHD from Health Services and Counseling:

At the initial appointment, the treating physician will determine if medication is recommended. The student will be also be assessed for medical contraindications if stimulant medication is recommended. In some cases, a referral to a specialist may be required.

Follow up appointments with the physician and/or the counselor will be made as agreed upon. Failure to attend more than 2 scheduled appointments with physician or counselor will result in being referred to the community for treatment for the remainder of the school year per our “No Show” policy.

For those students prescribed a stimulant medication, random drug screens may be requested to screen for abuse of other drugs and to ensure compliance with treatment.

Testing is not limited to the above local suggestions. Other testing facilities are available and can be found by checking on line.

COST/ INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT/ APPOINTMENTS: It is important that you check with the facility you choose for testing to determine potential cost and/or insurance coverage, and appointment details. Cost and insurance coverage may be variable depending on facility and type of insurance.