ADHD Guide for Students

Initial Assessment and Treatment (“I think I might have ADHD?”)

FIU’s Counseling and Psychological Services’ providers have experience in the evaluation and care of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. For further information about initial evaluations, please call 305-348-2277 or walk in during the hours listed on their Website.

To Transfer Care of Previously Diagnosed ADHD to FIU Student Health Services

Students wishing to have their medication managed at Student Health Services (SHS) need to have records from their previous provider(s) transferred to the clinic before an intake appointment is scheduled. Documentation must include the following: (except ‘g.’ which may not have been conducted):

1. Statement of the presenting problem.
2. Relevant history from a diagnostic interview, including developmental, medical, academic, family and psychosocial.
3. Any other previous and/or current diagnoses.
4. Any results or copies of screening tools/assessments/questionnaires used for evaluation and diagnosis.
5. DSM-IV diagnosis and rationale.
6. Medication prescribed – both current and past, as well as response, adverse reactions and side effects.
7. Testing, including scores and discussion of results, if completed.

Records may be brought to the SHS clinic, faxed to 305-348-0336, or mailed to:

Student Health Services
Attn: Medical Records
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199

Before scheduling an intake appointment, please call SHS Medical Records (305-348-0331) to ensure that required records have been received. Please review our ADHD medication prescribing policies available at our website.

ADHD Medication Policies

Because ADHD is most commonly treated with medications that are legally controlled substances, we have established policies that regulate the prescribing of these medications. The purpose of these policies is to ensure the safe and legal use of these prescriptions. They also reflect laws that govern the use of these substances.

Here is a summary of our policies:

• The student must see a physician to obtain any controlled substance medication for ADD (AD/HD).
• Students will not possess a controlled substance without a legitimate prescription, or to give or sell these medications to others. This is not only illegal but also potentially very dangerous.
• By law, controlled substances prescriptions must be written and can be for only one month’s supply. They cannot be called to a pharmacy.
• Prescriptions will not be renewed earlier than 25 days from the previous prescription date.
• Students who do not keep their follow-up appointments will not be able to receive a renewed prescription until he or she makes a follow-up appointment.
• One time replacement policy for Lost/stolen/damaged prescriptions
• Monthly visits required until the dosage is stabilized
• Less frequent in-person visits may be authorized once dose stabilized but no less frequent than every 3 months
• Students who have previously been diagnosed with ADHD and are already being prescribed medication by an outside physician may transfer care of ADHD to University
Health Services (SHS)). However, documentation of previous diagnostic evaluation and records from previous treating physician must be received prior to medication being prescribed by SHC physicians.
• A urine drug screen (obtained only with the consent of the patient) may be required at the discretion of the physician.
• Students receiving stimulant prescriptions for AD/HD will be required to sign a contract outlining SHS policy concerning such prescriptions each school year.
• Violation of the Student Health Services’ policy concerning controlled substances may result in termination of privileges of using the Student Health Center.

The full documentation of SHS policy for prescriptions of controlled substances is available upon request.