A number of questions from patients come to us each year regarding care offered at Student Health Services for attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD). This information is being provided to you so that you can make appropriate plans for your medical needs. Medication refills and diagnostic testing are not considered emergencies, so you should address your concerns early in your college career at Texas A&M. Complete diagnostic testing and initiation of medication if indicated may take 4-6 weeks or longer.
Student Health Services physicians do not diagnose or initiate medical treatment for ADD/ADHD. Testing for ADD/ADHD is usually done by a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or other specially trained healthcare professional. The diagnosis of ADD/ADHD may be made only after a comprehensive medical examination, classroom evaluations and/or psychometric testing. Most individuals with ADD/ADHD are diagnosed at a young age due to the impact it has on their early education.
If you have already been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and are already taking medications, Student Health Services may be able to assist you with ongoing care through medication refills. However, prior to any appointment for medication refills, you will be asked to provide copies of your current medical records for review by one of the physicians who offer this service. These records must include specific information regarding the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, test results, the treatment regimen and your progress. If the physician at Student Health Services has the necessary information, your ADD/ADHD medication may be prescribed while you are here at Texas A&M. Students that have been off medication for more than 6 months, or do not have testing that supports the need for medical treatment will need to see their original prescribing physician for medication refill or seek diagnostic services with our campus clinics or a community provider. You can fax your ADD/ADHD medical records for physician review to 979-458-8352.
If you do not have records of testing within the previous three years, please contact the Student Counseling Center for initial evaluation. The TAMU Student Counseling Service (SCS) offers free screening for learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD. If indicated, referrals for further diagnostic evaluation can be made to either an on campus testing center or a local healthcare provider. SCS psychologists and psychiatrists are also available for counseling and medical treatment as indicated. For more information call the Student Counseling Service at 979-845-4427or visit their website at scs.tamu.edu.
If you believe that your condition qualifies as a disability requiring accommodation, please contact TAMU Disability Services at 979-845-1637 or visit their website at disability.tamu.edu.
