AFROTC and ADHD

T

tomsmitters

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My son is a contracted first year AFROTC student and he suspects that he may have ADHD. I want to bring him to the doctor but am concerned that this will affect his scholarship.

In keeping with the ethics code, he will need to disclose it if he is diagnosed. He has been dreaming of going into the AF for a long time and will be heart-broken if he is removed from the program. Additionally I would hate to lose the scholarship.

Does anyone have any advice on this on this touchy subject? Many thanks!
 
You may want to ask your question over on the DoDMERB forum since this relates to a medical condition.

Based on my own recollection of past threads, the "crime" is not being diagnosed with ADHD, it's the use of drugs to manage/control it. However since much is at stake you shouldn't consider this authoritative. Just trying to ease the burden until you can get an authoritative answer.
 
Why does he suspect ADHD? Find a specialist and have them decide. If he is than he must admit this to DoDMERB Chances are he will have to go through a waiver process.

I am just curious why he thinks he has ADHD. HD stands for Hyperactivity disorder.
 
Hi Pima,

This is first semester in college and he is having a lot of challenges. He is having a very hard time focusing and studying, is very disorganized, and has trouble concentrating. We suspected that he had a mild form of ADHD and we had him tested six or so years ago. The doctor said that he did not have ADHD so we were relieved. My son says that he always suspected that he always had ADHD but who knows.

He was able to get through high school quite easily and did well on the SATs and ACT. All of this was without being diagnosed.

You are correct that we need to get this diagnosed first. I am making an appointment tomorrow to do that.

Thank you.
 
Unfortunately in the psychiatric field sometimes labels lead to treatments which often means medication. If he is indeed mildly ADHD, hopefully some effort and self-discipline can help him. My DS has always been terribly absent-minded. I worried so much about him going into the ROTC because of it. He is a sophomore now and has improved so much. Sometimes disorganization is a personality trait that can be overcome. Sorry, I am a psychiatric nurse and I do get up on my soapbox sometimes. Medication is not always the answer. And it definitely should never be the first choice. As far as the DODMERB, I do believe being on the medicine would be an issue. I would also think that having the diagnosis, if within the last several years, could be an issue. I would imagine that attention deficit disorder could be a dangerous thing in the military.
 
I am not a doctor, and will leave it to them, BUT here's what he needs to understand.one thing, he can be jeopardy in two ways. What is his GPA this semester?

Going on meds can be an issue, BUT, He must carry at least a 2.5 to keep his scholarship. For field selection as a sophomre (1 year from now) he will need a 3.0/3.1 cgpa for tech.

Get him to a doc, but be prepared for the other issue when it comes to the scholarship.

If memory serves me right it is a DQ unless you have been off the meds for two years and maintained the same level for gpa.
 
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