ADHD Screenings

Attention & Learning Problems

It is our policy at the Student Counseling Service to ask clients seeking evaluation and/or treatment of attention problems to follow a series of steps.  These steps are designed to further evaluate a student’s attention difficulties and to assess what forms of treatment they will need.

Students already being prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will be given a one-time only refill of their current medication.  Following this, no further refills will be given until the student completes the evaluation process at the Counseling Service.

Phone Screening

The student will be scheduled to speak with a counselor on the phone for a 10-20 minute phone screening.  The phone screener may recommend the student do any combination of the following:

• Visit the Rinella Learning Center and speak with an academic specialist
• Contact a psychologist to obtain psychoeducational testing

• Have previous records faxed to the counseling service

• Continue to receive medication from a physician in the student’s hometown

• See a counselor at the Student Counseling Services for an Initial Evaluation

• See a counselor at the Student Counseling Services for an Attention Problem Evaluation

Attention Problem Evaluation

These typically last from 1-2 hours and involve the following components:

• Evaluation to further assess the nature of the attention problem

• Needs assessment to determine what forms of treatment the student will need will at Miami University (such as academic coaching, individual counseling, career counseling, substance abuse treatment, etc.)

• Behavioral therapies such as techniques to help with concentration, sleep hygiene, and test anxiety.

• All students will be shown how to use a weekly planner.  This involves planning out study times during the daytime. 

 

Students Seeking Accommodations

Students seeking accommodations should visit the Rinella Learning Center.  You will most likely be asked to complete comprehensive psychoeducational testing.  The Student Counseling Service does NOT perform this comprehensive psychoeducational testing.  The Rinella Learning Center will give you information about where you can obtain this testing.

Psychiatric Referral

• The student may be referred to the staff psychiatrist if a medication evaluation is warranted

• Students are required to bring their weekly planner to the evaluation.  If medication is prescribed it will be given according to the student’s weekly planner
• Before being prescribed stimulant medication, all students will require a medical evaluation by the Student Health Center

• If it is discovered that a student is inappropriately using stimulant medication (such as selling it, snorting it, using it to stay up all night, or lending it to friends) the student will be prohibited from using the Student Health Center to obtain stimulant medication

Stimulant medications are used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and are not for recreational use or for cramming.  They are controlled substances and can have serious side effects if misused or used without a prescription.  This can include heart arrhythmias and the risk of sudden death.  If you become aware of anybody misusing stimulant medication, please notify the campus police, your resident adviser, or the Student Counseling Center.

Last Updated: 03-18-09
Contact: Jill Hollenbaugh, Administrative Assistant

(513) 529-4634