ADHD/ADD Information

University Health Services approach to Stimulant Medication for ADHD/ADD

UHS recognizes the important role stimulant medication plays in treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Because these medications are scheduled drugs with significant abuse potential, the following procedure must be followed in order to be treated for ADHD and other attention disorders at UHS:

A. Evaluation

If a student has NOT been previously diagnosed with ADHD or ADD by a qualified physician or psychologist, the patient must receive formal psychoeducational evaluation before medications will be prescribed by a UHS provider. The evaluation can be done at UHS Mental Health or elsewhere.

If a student has been previously diagnosed via formal evaluation with ADHD or ADD, the patient must provide acceptable documentation of the diagnosis. Supporting documentation from a family member or primary care provider alone is insufficient.
a. A short term supply of medication may be prescribed pending receipt of records. This is solely at the discretion of the provider.

B. Documentation Requirements

Documentation must be in the form of an assessment record, treatment summary, and (neuro) psychological assessment supporting the diagnosis, preferably from within the past 5 years. Progress notes alone are not sufficient. At the discretion of the UHS provider, alternate documentation may be acceptable on a case-by-case basis.

The diagnostic report should, where appropriate, include:
a. History of onset of the diagnosis
b. Methodologies used to determine the diagnosis
c. Assessment of possible comorbid diagnoses including learning disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders
d. Observer information from parents/adjust documenting past and current symptoms in two or more settings
e. Diagnostic statement

If medications have been prescribed, a record of this must also be provided.

If documentation is determined by the provider to be insufficient to support the diagnosis and treatment, the student must be evaluated with formal diagnostic testing as above, either by UHS Mental Health or an external psychologist before medications will be prescribed by UHS providers.

C. Treatment

1. Patient and provider must sign the Controlled Medication Agreement (PDF) before receiving any prescriptions.

2. Lost or stolen medications will not be replaced.

3. Periodic urine drug screening may occur.

4. Decisions to prescribe are made solely by the healthcare provider at UHS. Outside entities cannot compel us to prescribe. If a decision has been made not to prescribe at UHS based on current documentation, the student is free to seek outside consultation and care at their expense. A list of resources will be provided.

Please call University Health Services at 513-556-2564 for an appointment. Be sure to either have formal testing results faxed prior or bring these to the appointment. (See above details for what testing should include.)