son with history of ADD/ADHD

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Permalink Reply by Karen Gallagher on February 9, 2009 at 6:49pm

unfortunatly the navy does not allow anyone that is on medication for ADHD to enlist
sorry

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Permalink Reply by Karalyn on February 9, 2009 at 10:51pm

My son has ADD. Was diagnosed in the third grade and went on meds for it. When he was in 9th grade, he knew he wanted to go into the military, but wouldn't be allowed if taking meds for ADD, so we decided to stop the medication. He understood that it was something he would have to work hard at overcoming, but he was determined and managed. Granted he didn't do as well as he would have on the meds, but he didn't want to mess up his chance of going into the military. Even being off the meds for 3 years (prior to going into the DEP program) he still had to get a medical waiver.

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Permalink Reply by Achseh on February 10, 2009 at 11:45am

He must be off the meds for the previous 12 months. Do not go off the medication yourself, do it with a doctor's help and documentation. You will still need to get a medical waiver and disclose this information. If the recruiter tells you you don't need a waiver or not to disclose, do not listen.

My son was briefly on meds to see if they would help (they did not, he had a mild learning disability not ADD, and he was only on for less than one month). The recruiter told him first that he didn't need a waiver since it was years prior to enlisting (wrong) and then told him that he had the waiver and didn't need to disclose at MEPS ( a lie and wrong).

You would not believe the hoops he had to go through to prove that he 1. did disclose to the recruiter and 2. that he didn't have ADD. They were stringing him up on charges of fraudulent enlistment (a felony) until we were able to prove that he did disclose and he didn't have it.

Do it right and you'll never have to worry about it biting you in the butt later.

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Permalink Reply by Dawn on February 10, 2009 at 5:52pm

Thanks for the info--you seem to know more about this than anyone that we've talked to so far. I say my son has ADD because that is what everyone seems to understand. His "real" diagnosis is reactive attachment disorder from being in an abusive birth home. We feel he can function without the meds, but once the schools get ahold of this, it's like a pit bull biting your leg. They won't let go and don't agree with going off meds. He has a problem with us (his adoptive parents), but not with anyone outside the home. Should we get his therapist involved in the process? My husband and I are going to his next doctor's appt. Is there anything that we should tell her with regards to enlistment? The 12 month thing might be good for him; he can continue getting college credits in the meantime.Also, what is involved in a waiver?

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Permalink Reply by Achseh on February 10, 2009 at 8:44pm

I understand what you are saying about the schools--that is the reason my son was even assessed because a teacher insisted he knew that he had ADD. We ended up taking him out of this teacher's class and putting him in a different one that he passed with flying colors.

I would get the therapist involved only in that he/she can help move your son toward his goal and help him as he gets off the medication to manage the symptoms it helps with. I would not get the therapist involved with the Navy face to face unless the recruiter requests a letter or something.

Understand that nothing is secret from the Navy and they do what they do for reasons only they know sometimes. Be upfront and disclose everything.

Getting college credits is never a bad thing and is a great way for your son to have something to do while he waits his year. I would also check with a recruiter to see if there is anything we don't know about enlisting with RAD just to make sure he's not getting his hopes up for something that's impossible. I don't know if it's waiverable, they'll be able to tell you.

I don't know what was supposed to go into getting a waiver- my son's recruiter dropped the ball getting his. It took him a month after bootcamp to work through getting a medical waiver (that he thought he had) as well as a legal waiver for the charge of fraudulent enlistment.

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Permalink Reply by Kim on February 11, 2009 at 10:15pm

I was told they have to be off meds for three years. That might have changed. My son was diagnosed with adhd, odd an tourrets when he was younger. He was gifted with a learning disablility in writting/speach. His behaviour was off the wall in 2/3/4 grade. A school psychologist wanted to have him committed. I disagreed. It turned out that I got to decide. So do you. The best advice I can give is to let your son decide when he is ready. My son went to community college. Failed then retook his semester (after working and paying for himself) and passed. The next semester he was up and down. Then he joined the navy at age 22 (he scored 98 without even knowing the test). He has done great in the navy. He loves it and the structure is what he needs. He would not have been able to handle when he was younger.

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Permalink Reply by Dawn on February 13, 2009 at 5:24pm

Kim--Thanks for the info. My son is in community college now and hates it. He is only 19 so I'm hoping that he may still mature a little before he makes a final choice.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara's Page on February 13, 2009 at 12:51am

Dear Dawn,
My daughter Kim is in the Navy. When the Recruiters came to my house, last year, I asked that question. My daughter has allergies, and is on prescription meds.

Who told you that your son can't enlist with medication?
Even in the Naval manual, it says, the only medication permissible is prescription medicine.

I know how important medication is for A.D.H.D., my son has it too.
The only set back, this could happen, the medication for your son is to control is attention and behavior. That might give him a problem.

Have you been to the Recruiting station yet.?
Best of luck to both of you.

Take care and God bless,
Barbara

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Permalink Reply by Karalyn on February 15, 2009 at 12:06pm

This is kind of old, but it should explain the policy. I found it at:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/asthma.htm

Jun 18 2004
The Department of Defense has softened their medical qualification standards for cases of childhood asthma, and history of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Asthma
Previously, any history of asthma was disqualifying, regardless of age. While medical waivers were sometimes possible, waiver approval usually required scheduling and passing a pulmonary function test. Under the new policy, Asthma is only disqualifying if it occurs after the applicant’s 13th birthday.

Medical record screening may still be required, depending on the applicant’s medical history. However, in many cases, a signed statement, attached to the medical pre-screening form, stating that the applicant did not have any type of asthma (including exercise induced, or allergic asthma) or treatment for asthma after their 13th birthday will be sufficient.

Applicants who’ve experienced asthma or reactive airway disease after age 13 will require all medical documentation. Waivers may still be considered, depending on the applicant’s medical history and – possibly results from a pulmonary function test.


ADD/ADHD
Under the old standards, any history of ADD or ADHD was disqualifying. While waivers were sometimes possible, they were among the hardest categories of waivers to get approved. Under the new standards, ADD/ADHD is disqualifying only if the applicant has been treated with ADD/ADHD medication within the previous year and/or they display signs of ADD/ADHD. For applicants with a previous history of ADD/ADHD who have been off medication for more than one year, and they do not demonstrate significant impulsivity or inattention during MEPS processing, the MEPS examining official may find them qualified for military service without submission of a waiver.

Records review is still required. Any history of being evaluated or treated for ADD/ADHD must be documented. As a minimum, all treatment (if any) within the previous three years must be submitted to MEPS, in advance, as part of the medical pre-screening. Full medical records are required if the applicant was ever treated for ADD or ADHD with any medication other than Ritalin, Adderal, or Dexedrine, or if there were any additional psychiatric symptoms, such as, but not limited to, depression.

MEPS may require school transcripts to demonstrate acceptable academic performance for the year without medication. If treatment for ADD/ADHD occurred throughout the school environment, but wasn’t stopped until after the applicant left school, there is still the possibility of waiver consideration.

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Permalink Reply by sara boling on February 18, 2009 at 1:02pm

just be off meds for a year then go back to your recruiter

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