Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects an estimated 5 percent of college-aged adults. The principal characteristics of ADHD are difficulties with attention and sometimes hyperactivity and/or impulsivity.
ADHD assessment and treatments are available through University Health Services (UHS) or through community specialists.
At UHS: Schedule an appointment with a counselor in Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling (510) 642-9494 or by booking online. If appropriate, your counselor can refer you for an on-campus assessment at UHS.
Off-Campus: If you prefer off-campus care, you can explore our ADHD/LD Testing Referral Database and connect directly with a community provider, though additional out-of-pocket costs may apply.
Clinicians across the broader community vary somewhat in their procedures and testing materials. UHS conducts a focused diagnostic assessment for ADHD, which includes the following:
Interviews and questionnaires that allow you to describe current concerns and past problems.
Interviews with significant people in your life (e.g., parents, teachers, employers, partner, friends, etc.) and/or questionnaires filled out by these people.
Observations of your behavior.
Developmental, educational, medical/psychiatric, substance use, and family medical and mental health histories. If you have received a prior diagnosis of ADHD, the documented history should include specific statements about the impact the illness has had on your life.
Questions about the effectiveness of past and current treatments including behavioral interventions and any medications prescribed for the ADHD symptoms.
Comprehensive Mental Status Examination, which is a snapshot of your current psychological state.
A discussion of assessment findings and treatment recommendations.
Tests of attention, intelligence, cognition, and academic achievement may be part of an assessment and can help to support the assessment as described above. Please note that certain tests or a particular format of assessment may be required by various organizations that administer examinations, such as the LSAT or MCAT, in order to receive accommodations.
For students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), a $45 copay covers the full cost of an ADHD assessment at UHS. The cost is broken up into $15 payments across 3 separate visits.
For students without SHIP, the cost is $3,000 for an assessment.
Costs for off-campus or community-based assessments vary significantly by provider.
If you are enrolled in SHIP, please contact the Student Health Insurance Office at (510) 642-5700 to check your coverage and expected copay.
UHS staff are available to help you navigate ADHD medication management. Start by talking with a UHS mental health provider—you can schedule online with a CAPS counselor—and bringing your past evaluation records for our ADHD team to review.
Depending on the details of your prior testing, additional assessment steps may be required. Once your diagnosis is verified—or after a new evaluation is completed through UHS—CAPS psychiatry providers can prescribe or refill your medication. This process generally takes about 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on whether or not further assessment is needed.
If you prefer off-campus care, we can provide external referrals, and the UHS pharmacy can still fill your valid outside prescriptions (including controlled stimulants).
Be mindful about where you seek information about ADHD. One National Library of Medicine study showed 52% of the 100 most popular videos about ADHD on TikTok were classified as misleading. Here are some resources for additional information: