College Students with ADHD and Other Hidden Disabilities

Abstract

Nearly 25 years of special education law have enabled many qualified students with disabilities to graduate from college preparatory high school programs and enter institutes of higher education. The Americans with Disabilities Act enacted by Congress in 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975, and Section 504 of the Rehabilition Act of 1973 all mandate special education services for students with disabilities. A parallel nationwide rise is being reported in the numbers of students with disabilities on college campuses. The greatest increase is seen in students with so‐called hidden disabilities such as learning disabilities, ADHD, and psychiatric disabilities. These students face a number of obstacles once they are admitted to college. Many factors, some intrinsic to the student and others extrinsic to the campus, moderate success in higher education. Overlapping or multiple diagnoses, psychological distress, poor social and interpersonal skills, persisting cognitive deficits (especially in the area of executive functioning), and alcohol abuse are important factors that must be understood as institutions of higher education strive to promote access and provide effective support services on their campuses.

The Effect of ADHD and Psychotropic Medication use on College Performance

“…With increasing numbers of students asking for disability services for ADHD, colleges are looking for ways to deal with all these factors. Universities are working to diminish effects of the external factors through increased support, individualized attention and tutoring, extended time for examinations, access to a note taker, program modifications and living-learning communities for social support (Wolf, 2006). With this help mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enacted by Congress in 1990, college students with ADHD can do very well in college.…”

“…Of all college students, Hispanic students are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and when diagnosed are less likely to receive medications than other ethnic groups (Rothe, 2005). While prescription drug use has increased for students with ADHD, marijuana and alcohol are still the "drugs of choice" among young adults with ADHD (Wolf, 2006). According to Wolf, 2006, there is a clear association between alcohol use disorders and ADHD in young adults.…”

“…While prescription drug use has increased for students with ADHD, marijuana and alcohol are still the "drugs of choice" among young adults with ADHD (Wolf, 2006). According to Wolf, 2006, there is a clear association between alcohol use disorders and ADHD in young adults. Once again there is conflicting data.…”

“…College students applying for University Disability services for mood disorders or learning disabilities (LD)often also exhibit symptoms of ADHD (Wolf, 2006). Both LD and ADHD tend to be accompanied by social skill deficits (San Miguel, Fornes and Kavale, 1996) which can increase academic impairment in college students.…”

“…The number of students with disabilities enrolled in college tripled between 1986 and 1998 and is still rising (Wolf, 2006). Twenty-five percent of students receiving disability support services receive those accommodations for ADHD (Vance & Weyandt, 2008;DuPaul, Wyandt, O'Dell, & Varejao, 2009), in spite of lack of normative data to determine DSM-IV ADHD criteria thresholds in college students (Heiligenstien et al, 1999).…”