Learning Disabilities and ADHD Meds

[oldcousin]

Hi all,

I'm helping my cousin apply for USNA and NROTC. He has never been officially diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, but he has been prescribed a medication used to treat ADD/ADHD for ticks since the beginning of high school. He is now being taken off the medication with no return of the ticks. Is the 24 months of medication use a disqualifier if it was not actually prescribed for ADHD?

The situation is complicated further because my cousin has a learning disability for which he has a 504 plan with some very basic classroom accommodations. Are any accommodations at all grounds for DQ? He will be taken off the 504 for his senior year, since he doesn't really need it, and will be taking the SATs without extra time.

Thanks for any help!

[usna1985]

First . . . you won't know unless you apply.

USNA has said that, for ITS admission purposes, the key is whether the person needs meds or any other special dispensation. IOW, if the person (not on medsP needs to sit near the front of the room, have extra time on a test, etc., that will be disqualifying and is unlikely to be waived. If the individual can function without any special help and without meds, it shouldn't be an issue.

Again, this was in the context of general discussion and applied only to USNA. But it's probably not a bad starting point in considering the likelihood of a waiver.

[oldcousin]

Dear usna1985,

Thanks for your encouraging words. I'm positive my cousin can succeed without accommodations and meds, I just hope that having continued with them for so long is not his downfall. But, your words are true: he will never know if he doesn't apply.

That being said, do you think its better for him to wait until later in the application cycle to apply, so that he can have a full high school semester with no meds and accommodations? Or should he still try to take advantage of applying earlier?

Thanks again!

[dohdean]

He will need to look at specific, current DodMerb regs on both ADD and learning disabilities. There were changes to the ADD med regs a couple of years ago -- there may have been subsequent changes. I understand that a 504 Plan with accommodations is a disqualifying condition. Also, extra time on ACT or SAT is a disqualifying condition. There have been previous posts on ADD meds (within the past couple of months). Try searching for those posts -- but be sure you are reading about current regs/experiences. Older regs/cadets or families with experiences more distant in time will not give you proper information. I think you can go to the DodMerb site and search by condition, etc.

[usna1985]

I'm not an MD so take my "advice" with a grain of salt. My gut feel is that, if he's been med-free and accommodation-free since the beginning of h.s., another few months in starting the DODMERB process won't make the difference in a negative way and will give the person time to provide materials that would be necessary to obtain a waiver. Even if he has had accommodations, the few months won't make a huge difference.

In my view, if he got extra time on tests (standardized or in-school) or other accommodations in h.s., the road will be more difficult. It's not the future ability to perform w/o accommodation but a history of doing so that counts.

However, every situation is unique. Neither I nor anyone else can tell you whether things will turn out well or not . . . the person needs to apply, be truthful, and see what happens. And starting the process earlier allows more time to process the waiver and, if things don't go well, he'll know earlier and can make other plans.

[Luigi59]

Originally Posted by oldcousin

Hi all,

I'm helping my cousin apply for USNA and NROTC. He has never been officially diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, but he has been prescribed a medication used to treat ADD/ADHD for ticks since the beginning of high school. He is now being taken off the medication with no return of the ticks. Is the 24 months of medication use a disqualifier if it was not actually prescribed for ADHD?

The situation is complicated further because my cousin has a learning disability for which he has a 504 plan with some very basic classroom accommodations. Are any accommodations at all grounds for DQ? He will be taken off the 504 for his senior year, since he doesn't really need it, and will be taking the SATs without extra time.

Thanks for any help!

A finding of "Disqualified" or "Does Not Meet the Standard" is a virtual certainty under D231.90 - Academic skills disorders. DODMERB deals in "black and white."

(1) The applicant has not required an Individualized Education Program or work accommodations since the age of 14.

(2) There is no history of comorbid mental disorders.

(3) The applicant has never taken more than a single daily dosage of medication or has not been prescribed medication for this condition for more than 24 cumulative months after the age of 14.

(4) During periods off of medication after the age of 14, the applicant has been able to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average without accommodations.

(5) Documentation from the applicant’s prescribing provider that continued medication is not required for acceptable occupational or work performance.

(6) Applicant is required to enter service and pass Service-specific training periods with no prescribed medication for ADHD.

The possibility of "the waiver" is the answer you seek, and of course, that is the answer that no one here can give you.

[GoArmyBeatNavy]

Originally Posted by oldcousin

...but he has been prescribed a medication used to treat ADD/ADHD for ticks since the beginning of high school.

The ticks could be a disqualification too.

[Pima]

I was thinking the same thing as GoArmy regarding the tick issue.

Best thing for your cousin is to get all of his medical paperwork in order now, so he can be prepared IF a DQ comes down.

One thing to realize is that DoDMERB DQs, but the branch will be the one to determine if they will waive the DQ.

Your cousin wants Navy, and the waiver issue would be from the Navy. For example color vision deficiencies are a big factor for the Navy, but not so much for the AF and Army. If someone states they got a waiver for the AF with the same issue, don't assume that it won't be an issue for him because the AF waived the other poster. You only care if the NAVY will waive it.

[buff81]

Tics are a DQ per D212.10 - Chronic Neurologic Disorders

[oldcousin]

Thank you all for the clarifications you have provided. This really is very helpful in knowing what to expect. Go Navy!