ADHD Evaluation and Treatment

As part of our commitment to Calvin University students, collaborative efforts have been established with a variety of services on campus (Center for Counseling and Wellness, Student Academic Services, Disability Services), to provide ongoing assessment and monitoring for students diagnosed with ADHD. With appropriate management it is our goal to prevent and reduce the possibility of misuse/abuse of psychostimulant medications on our campus.

For transfer of medication care for ADHD from a community provider to a Health Service’s provider at Calvin University:

If you are currently on medication for the treatment of ADHD, and you wish to transfer your ADHD care and management of your medication refills to Health Services, it is important to start this process early to allow time for the medical records to be reviewed by our office. Plan to continue to receive prescriptions from your own provider until the steps listed below are completed and transfer of care to a Calvin provider has been established at an office visit.

Health Services providers will not prescribe refills on ADHD medications without the following:

1. Original medication records are needed, which include the formal diagnostic ADHD test results, all medication treatment records, and any other medical records that may explain progress, setbacks, and side effects in recent years directly from the doctor’s office. Copies sent from patients are not accepted.
2. To have records transferred; complete the “Release of Information” (ROI) consent and email of fax to Health Services. We will collect the above records. A separate form is needed for each provider or testing center involved in your ADHD care. Click here to print the ROI form. Once completed, fax the form to Health Services at 616-526-6548 or send a scanned copy of the form to health@calvin.edu.
3. If an appointment is scheduled before the complete medical records are received and reviewed by our office, there will likely be a delay in receiving medication refills.

Requests for an emergency ADHD medication refill at Health Services:

Health Services providers will not prescribe refills on ADHD medications without a copy of your complete medical records. Plan ahead. It is best if you have an appointment with your prescribing doctor just prior to the start of the semester.

For a new diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:

If you have never been diagnosed but you are experiencing symptoms consistent with ADHD and you would like to be evaluated for the possibility of medication therapy, please be advised that the following steps are the standard of care at Calvin University Health Services. The diagnosis may require formal psychological testing and this may take a few weeks to complete.

1. You may schedule an appointment with one of our providers to discuss your symptoms. Many conditions may cause poor concentration or easy distractibility beyond ADHD.
2. If formal psychological testing is indicated, you will then need to arrange for the formal testing. Those results often take two to three weeks before they are received by our office. We can provide a list of local testing centers at your initial office visit. (Please note: It is your responsibility to determine whether your insurance benefits cover psychological testing prior to your scheduled psychological testing appointment.)
3. The testing results need to be received and reviewed by Health Services before medication treatment will begin by one of our prescribing physicians.
4. Once medication is started, periodic visits with the Health Services physician will be necessary to maintain medication therapy.