Counseling and Assessment Services


Adult Assessment
The diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is primarily made by a thorough psychological evaluation. The following procedure is considered standard practice and is followed at this University of Massachusetts site to assess all types of ADHD (including ADHD, Combined Type; ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type; ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type; and ADHD Not Otherwise Specified).
  • Clinical Interview
    A thorough diagnostic interview begins the assessment process. In the course of the interview, information is gathered in the following areas: developmental history, medical history, school history, employment history, social history, childhood and present behavior patterns, alcohol/drug history, and psychiatric history.
  • Psychological Assessment
    The ADHD assessment battery at our site generally consists of testing in the following areas: attention, memory, intellectual functioning, academic achievement, and personality functioning. Patterns of test score performance, test-taking behavior, behavior rating scales, personality and psychological findings, and historical information are analyzed and integrated to determine if they are consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD.

Treatment
  • Psychopharmacological
    Both stimulant and anti-depressant medications have been useful for some adults with ADHD. They are not indicated for everyone due to certain medical and psychological conditions. Appropriate referrals will be made at the time of the final consultation if it appears that medication may be helpful.
  • Psychotherapy
    Even though ADHD is considered to be a biological disorder, psychotherapy may augment psychopharmacological treatment. It has been suggested that this type of treatment may be particularly helpful in assisting individuals diagnosed with ADHD in dealing with issues of self-esteem and interpersonal skills, in teaching medication management, and in providing career assessment and counseling.
  • Academic Support Services
    At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, students diagnosed with ADHD are eligible to receive academic support services through either Disability Services or Psychological Disabilities Services. In these programs, students will be assigned a case manager who will be available to meet by appointment in order to monitor academic progress and to assist in the implementation of reasonable accommodations as needed. Students with ADHD are included under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.



Last updated October 6, 2005