ADHD Treatment

Please note:

  • The SHCS does not do ADHD assessments or diagnose ADHD. Completing any or all of these steps does not guarantee a diagnosis of ADHD, refills, or prescription of stimulant medication from SHCS.

  • Completed forms can be dropped off at the SHCS front desk or sent via secure message in your student health portal: > enter your NetID and password-->click on Messages-->click on New Message-->select Front Desk staff-->send your records as an attachment to that message.

  • Call 510-885-3735 with any questions.

If you are interested in ADHD treatment at SHCS, please complete the following steps:

1. Schedule an appointment with an SHCS counselor or medical clinician by calling 510-885-3735. They will conduct an initial mental health screening and referral to psychiatry, if indicated. Please note: psychiatry services are by referral only. 

2. Complete these steps before your scheduled appointment with the psychiatrist:

  • Carefully review, complete, sign and submit the following forms:
  • Submit one of the following:
    • An ADHD assessment report that 1) meets our criteria as outlined in the ADHD Treatment Policy form, and 2) clearly documents an ADHD diagnosis.

    • If you don’t have an ADHD assessment report that meets our criteria: Ask the prescriber who was most recently prescribing stimulant medication for you to complete the Documentation of Prior ADHD Treatment form and fax back to us at 510-885-3230 or 510-885-7595: /shcs/files/docs/documentation-of-previous-adhd-treatment.pdf

    • If you don’t have an ADHD assessment report or documentation from a previous stimulant prescriber, then you will need to get an ADHD assessment done for stimulant medication treatment at SHCS. SHCS does not do ADHD assessments or diagnose ADHD. Here is information on how to get an ADHD assessment done and some community referrals: /shcs/files/docs/getting-an-adhd-assessment-and-referrals.pdf


  • Complete and submit the DIVA 2.0 - Patient form: /shcs/files/docs/diagnostic-interview-for-adhd-in-adults-diva-2.0


  • Schedule an in-person appointment with the SHCS Nurse to get your Vitals checked (blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight).

    Please note: The psychiatrist may ask you to complete an EKG (heart tracing) to screen for underlying heart issues. An EKG can be completed in the SHCS and takes about 15 minutes. This will be explained more during your psychiatry intake appointment.


  • If you are not already connected with Accessibility Services, schedule a Welcome Meeting to discuss accommodations for class, and other resources that can help you be successful: /accessibility/students/new-students/appointment.html


  • Let your professors know you are struggling in their class and ask if they can be flexible with deadlines or offer other assistance.


  • Explore these FREE tutoring options on campus: Peer tutoring.


ADHD Treatment Policy
The ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ SHCS does not diagnose ADHD or do ADHD assessments. For ADHD assessment referrals:  /shcs/files/docs/getting-an-adhd-assessment-and-referrals.pdf. Please make sure to: 1) ask what your total out of pocket cost will be, and 2) double check that the testing process and report meets SHCS requirements. ADHD testing can be expensive and often not covered by insurance. 

Prior Diagnosis of ADHD (with copy of ADHD assessment report): Students previously diagnosed with ADHD who request stimulant medication from the SHCS must provide documentation of a diagnostic evaluation and diagnosis of ADHD conducted by a previous treating physician or licensed professional, and must meet the SHCS ADHD requirements listed below. ADHD assessment reports should be faxed to 510-885-3230 or uploaded in My Pioneer Health by going to > enter your NetID and password-->click on Messages-->click on New Message-->select Front Desk staff-->send your records as an attachment to that message. Please call 510-885-3735 with any questions. 

Examples of information to be included are:

  • Evidence of early impairment beginning in childhood
  • Evidence of current impairment in two or more settings
  • A comprehensive diagnostic interview (including a history of present symptoms and their impact of significant impairment over time, developmental and family history, mental health review of systems, medical and medication history, psychosocial history, academic history of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education including old report cards, transcripts and standardized test scores, employment and legal history, and prior treatment including therapy and medications).
  • An objective ADHD rating scale (e.g., CAARS/Conners) completed by self-report and at least one third-party sources from someone who has known you well since early elementary school.
  • Exclusion of alternative diagnoses
  • A complete neuropsychological or psycho-educational assessment report is acceptable but not required.

Inadequate supporting information include: a summary letter from your previous provider, recent visit notes lacking the diagnostic evaluation, prescriptions, empty pill containers, parents’ notes.

Prior Treatment of ADHD (but no ADHD assessment report): Students previously treated for ADHD with stimulants, but who do not have a copy of their assessment report, should ask their prescribing provider to complete the Documentation of Previous ADHD Treatment form, available on the SHCS website at: /shcs/files/docs/documentation-of-previous-adhd-treatment.pdf and should be faxed to 510-885-3230 or uploaded in My Pioneer Health by going to > enter your NetID and password-->click on Messages-->click on New Message-->select Front Desk staff-->send your records as an attachment to that message. Please call 510-885-3735 with any questions. 

ADHD Medication and Controlled Substance Agreement: All students receiving prescriptions for stimulant medications or other controlled substances must review and sign the ADHD Medication and Controlled Substance Agreement, which can be found here on our website: /shcs/files/docs/adhd-medication-and-controlled-substance-agreement.pdf

Please note: stimulant medication may not be prescribed at the intake visit. SHCS providers may require a drug screening test before they prescribe or refill controlled medications. Meeting with an SHCS medical provider, counselor, or psychiatrist does not guarantee a prescription of or refill for stimulant medication. You should arrange refills with your current prescriber until the SHCS psychiatrist has agreed to prescribe or refill stimulant medications for you. If the psychiatrist has concerns regarding the safety of stimulant medications, substance use, or the validity of the ADHD testing or diagnosis, they may not prescribe, stop prescribing, or stop refilling controlled medications and refer you for further assessment or treatment outside the SHCS.