Ways that we help Graduate and Professional School Students with ADHD

Not so long ago, the common, but misguided, belief was that anyone that succeeded in college and was accepted into a graduate or professional program could not have ADHD. ADHD was thought to be a condition so debilitating that those with ADHD did poorly in school, rarely attended college, and even less often graduated from college. We now understand that ADHD affects people at all points on the IQ spectrum. It is not uncommon for individuals in graduate or professional school struggle with ADHD or other types of learning challenges.

The tremendous gains made in serving undergraduates with ADHD and/or LD have, not yet translated into a similar level of awareness, support and accommodations on the graduate or professional school.

Late diagnosis of ADHD can occur for a number of reasons such as high IQ and a structured home and school environment. Other reasons for late diagnosis include having predominantly inattentive type ADHD, which may be diagnosed later because it does not lead to disruptive behavior at school or at home, and a misinterpretation of symptoms. Many students whose teachers felt they were very capable, but didn’t “try hard enough” or “weren’t motivated” were actually bright students with undiagnosed ADHD. A late diagnosis should not be made solely on the basis of current challenges, which could be the result of anxiety, depression, stress or learning disabilities. A careful diagnosis requires not only testing, but also a consideration of family history, childhood history and academic history.

At the Chesapeake Center we have worked with many students pursuing doctoral degrees, medical degrees, law and business degrees, and have helped them to successfully request and receive reasonable accommodations that allow them to complete their degrees and go on to pursue successful careers.

We can provide updated testing, if necessary, to document your need for accommodation. We can also provide initial ADHD evaluations for students that have never been previously diagnosed, but suspect that they have ADHD.

Following testing, we will work closely with you to customize recommended accommodations to suit the demands of your particular graduate or professional program.

For more information about our services to students in grad school, medical school, law school and business school, call The Chesapeake Center at (301) 562-8448      .