UCLA
Counseling and Psychological Services

ADHD Services

Assessment

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments are available at CAPS for students with SHIP insurance. SHIP insured students must be in treatment at CAPS or an off-campus therapist to be eligible for a CAPS assessment. Students without SHIP insurance are referred to providers in their private insurance network for assessment and/or medication management.

Assessments are tailored to the student’s presenting concerns and include:

  • Clinical interview
  • Standardized structured adult ADHD interview
  • Formal psychological assessment tests
  • Assessment review with treatment recommendations

If you have prior diagnosis of ADHD and want to be seen at CAPS

  1. Schedule a triage appointment at CAPS
  2. Provide documentation of previous ADHD evaluation. (e.g. assessment report)

Assessment report should include the following:

  • a clinical interview with specific evaluation of ADHD symptoms
  • an objective measure such as the CPT or the IVA
  • surveys completed by you and someone else who knows you well (example: CAARS Survey)

Documentation of previous assessment will be reviewed by the ADHD clinic team to determine if it meets our threshold for diagnosis.

If you have an outside provider and want to be assessed by the CAPS ADHD Clinic

ADHD Clinic Referral Screening Form

Who it's for: This form is completed by an outside provider — not the student directly — who is already working with a UCLA student and believes the student may benefit from a focused ADHD evaluation. The student must be covered by UC Student Health Insurance (UCSHIP).

Before you submit: The student must first contact CAPS to schedule a triage appointment, and complete a Release of Information (ROI) authorizing CAPS to communicate with their outside provider.

When to use it: Submit this form when your own clinical assessment suggests the student may be showing signs of ADHD and would benefit from further evaluation by the ADHD Clinic. The form gathers the clinical background the ADHD Clinic needs to review the referral before an evaluation is to be scheduled. You may be contacted with further questions if needed.

How to submit: Complete the form and return it by mail or fax — whichever is more convenient for your office:

  • Mail: UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), John Wooden Center West, 221 Westwood Plaza, Box 951556, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1556
  • Fax: (310) 206-7365

If you do not have a prior diagnosis of ADHD and are interested in an ADHD evaluation at CAPS

Checklist:

  1. Confirm you have SHIP insurance
  2. Have a triage appointment at CAPS who will either schedule a general intake with a CAPS therapist or request a release of information for ADHD Clinical Coordinator to speak with your off campus therapist if you have one
  3. Therapist will assess if an ADHD evaluation is indicated at this time
  4. If indicated, therapist will consult with a member of the ADHD team to determine if a CAPS ADHD evaluation is appropriate
  5. An ADHD evaluation at CAPS will occur over the course of 3-4 sessions
  6. If you are given a diagnosis of ADHD, your therapist will help provide next steps for psychiatry or CAE support if desired.

Going to an off-campus provider for an evaluation?

Here’s what to ask for if you’re coming to caps for psychiatry:

Assessment report including:

  • a clinical interview with specific evaluation of ADHD symptoms
  • an objective measure such as the CPT or the IVA
  • surveys completed by you and someone else who knows you well (example: CAARS Survey)

Treatment

CAPS will provide recommendations as indicated to support students diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD Medication Management and Refills-

  • ADHD medication management and refills are provided to students at CAPS who has a diagnosis of ADHD through CAPS or a verified diagnosis from a community provider (see above).
  • In order to access CAPS psychiatry for medication you will also need to be in therapy at CAPS. If you are not looking for therapy at this time, you may be given assistance in finding a psychiatrist in the community for medication management. CAPS is unable to provide refills for students who are not in current CAPS treatment.
  • Medication management may be provided at CAPS for ADHD following clearance from a student’s primary care provider at the Ashe Center.
  • Refills cannot be provided at the time of a Triage appt. Students will be required to have an intake with a CAPS therapist prior to a referral to a staff psychiatrist for evaluation.

Groups

CAPS has skills-based groups focused on supporting students with academic difficulties including Finding Focus and Overcoming Procrastination.

Any UCLA student is welcome to sign up for these groups by contacting the front desk. Please see group brochure for more information

Accommodation requests

Students requiring accommodations related to diagnosed ADHD are referred to the Center for Accessible Education (CAE) following the diagnostic assessment.

Your CAPS therapist is able to complete a CAE Form for you indicating your diagnosis after you’ve completed a release of information (ROI) and submitted it to your CAPS therapist (hyperlink)

For student athletes seeking ADHD treatment

Download the Athletics ADHD Referral form for further instructions.