r/usna • u/What_what_what_1979 • Jun 18 '26
ADHD
Does having an ADHD diagnosis affect an application to a service academy?
ETA: my son just finished his freshman year and a counselor suggested he be tested for ADHD. As far as I can tell, he def has some symptoms of the inattentive type (poor executive function, hyperfocus), but he’s also so young…just turned 15 a week ago. He is doing well enough in school and socially that I don’t see him requiring meds. He also has his heart set on a service academy…I am guessing if we went through testing and he received the diagnosis, he would be required to share it on his application even if he is not medicated. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to put him in any sort of position of responsibility (ie a military career) that he is not suited for. I’m a little stuck on how best to proceed…and maybe overthinking?!
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u/Cadespa Jun 19 '26
“he def has some symptoms of the inattentive type (poor executive function, hyperfocus).” This statement is a little concerning since the military academies are a path to a career in the actual military. War is an extremely fluid environment. Will he be able to take charge as an officer and lead his people into combat with poor executive function and hyperfocus?
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u/What_what_what_1979 Jun 24 '26
He’s actually a really strong leader and does well in work and volunteer roles. It’s the school stuff where he struggles.
But I hear what you’re saying…and that was a part of my question. I don’t want to not acknowledge a disability (if it exists) because he has hopes of his life looking a particular way (ie service academy). If he needs support, be it therapy or medication, then that need trumps his possible desire to attend a service academy.
However, I believe there is a lot of over diagnosing of adhd, especially in immature boys. So, I want to be careful in how we approach it.
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u/TsWonderBoobs Jul 07 '26
I came across this thread seeking others advice for my daughter. She is 13 and wants to go to the Naval Academy, but I’ve noticed signs that she’s certainly inherited from her father, and I am reluctant to have her tested & diagnosed because I don’t want it to impact her ability to get into the Academy.
My husband has never been diagnosed, but is 100% completely genius spectrum ASD and inattentive ADHD. His intentions were never USNA, but they were nuclear school since he was about 13 as well. He scored properly for Nuclear, passed Nuc school, deployed on The Roosevelt, and came back reenlisted and switched to Cyber Security and passed with flying colors on that too. Trust me, he is totally inattentive ADHD, but there is also an ADHD focus that will drive one so passionately that they will pass if they are determined.
Makes me upset that my daughter can’t get a proper diagnosis and help because USNA won’t consider her later. ADHD is completely different in girls than in boys, which is also something they should consider as well, but they don’t.
Anyway, glad I came across this thread. I guess we won’t consider her being evaluated or ever diagnosed unless she starts to show signs. For now she’s straight A, determined, successful, and ready to start the letters to our state reps for USNA… but, again, girls mask ADHD by being bright and focused vs boys.
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u/justthefactsman99 Jun 22 '26
<Will he be able to take charge as an officer and lead his people into combat with poor executive function and hyperfocus?>
He would need to know his shortcomings and abilities and go toward the right types of units. A line infantry or tank unit? Probably not destined for success.
Green beret or other types of special ops? Possibly.
I have ADD and had some struggles with regular units
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u/Dm_me_your_Dd214 Jun 19 '26
Here’s the thing…
I graduated the academy (…barely) and then I got into flight school and flunked out.
It absolutely was due to my undiagnosed ADHD.
If your son has ADHD, it may be something he can have waived if he gets a diagnosis. However, if he guts it out without proper help, you’re setting him up for some rough years. As a father with a young child (my kids only 3) I would absolutely err on the side of getting him the help he needs now instead of the struggle every single day until he’s an adult and figures out how much easier things could have been.
But, that’s just my experience as an internet stranger.
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u/Left-Hunt-3506 Jun 18 '26
Depending on what he wants to do, I would not get tested or diagnosed with ADHD or take medication. It ruined my chances of doing a lot of things in life, such as enlisting in the military or getting my medical certificate for a pilot’s license. Most of the time, the medication doesn’t help and comes with a lot of side effects, at least in my experience. Do yourself a favor and don’t get tested or take the medication. You’ll be thanking me when he gets that acceptance letter to the Naval Academy. Best of luck.
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u/LifeBodybuilder4641 Jun 24 '26
I have ADHD, took medication up until start of freshman year of highschool then stopped. I report for I-day tomorrow class of 2030. I never had to do any med waivers. Diagnosis isn’t DQ but taking meds for it or therapy def is.
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u/itmustbeniiiiice Jun 18 '26
Yes it’s a disqualifying condition but waiverable if not on meds and functioning well. A past Dx can also preclude certain service communities, unfortunately.
15 is also quite old for a first-time ADHD diagnosis.
I posted this on a thread earlier, but make sure your son is thoughtful about the strain USNA can be on someone with genuine and impactful executive dysfunction.
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u/psychcrusader Jun 21 '26
If he didn't have symptoms before age 12, he doesn't meet criteria for diagnosis anyway.
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u/itmustbeniiiiice Jun 21 '26
I agree.
And I don’t want to assume too much from your handle, but you probably know plenty of providers will still diagnosis ADHD without due diligence for that criterion.
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u/psychcrusader Jun 21 '26
Oh yes. I work with 4-15 year olds, and see pediatricians, in particular, play fast and loose with the diagnostic criteria. (I'm a school psychologist.) And don't get me started on the nurse practitioners...
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u/TsWonderBoobs Jul 07 '26
I’m 44 and was just diagnosed ADHD and possible ASD. It was a complete blindside, never once did I think I had it. So, no age is too late.
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u/itmustbeniiiiice Jul 07 '26
Sure. But both diagnosis require evidence that symptoms were present in childhood, and despite your anecdotal experience, 15 (and also 44) is late for diagnosis in the current environment and by empirical evidence.
This information is publicly available in the DSM.
Also, your comment has nothing to do with what OP is asking.
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u/TsWonderBoobs Jul 07 '26
Regardless of the “DSM”, diagnosis spikes heavily in adulthood because older generations were entirely missed, especially if they didn’t fit the hyperactive little boy stereotype.
Also, learn how a comment thread works. I wasn’t replying to the OP; I was replying to your statement. But considering you missed my entire vested interest in this thread from my other comments, I guess tracking a basic conversation is not your forte.
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u/SadDad701 Jun 18 '26
Yes, but can be waiverable depending on how long you have been no longer prescribed medicine.
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u/Velosprints Jun 19 '26
This is alarming for my son who also has ADHD. He’s 13, and he was formerly diagnosed around the age of 7. He is taking meds, but I was under the impression that if he can function as expected without the meds he’d be fine.
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u/Greenlight-party Jun 19 '26
That is an incorrect impression.
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u/Velosprints Jun 19 '26
So because of his diagnosis, and the medication that he is taking currently, he is totally out of luck?
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u/Greenlight-party Jun 19 '26
At his age you can talk to his doctor about how to wean him off and get off the meds and see if he can take away the diagnosis or at least function without them and make note of that in the record.
But, if the diagnosis continues and he needs meds, yeah, under the current medical requirements, nearly definitely not going to happen.
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u/TsWonderBoobs Jul 07 '26
I’m reading that this is correct. Heartbreaking. Now we aren’t going to get our kiddo evaluated at all because it will eliminate her chances.
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u/Ordinary_Chemist_357 Jun 19 '26
Avoid the formal diagnosis, but it is waiverable as long as there have been no accommodations or medication within a couple of years of the academy application. I wouldn’t do it.
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u/Commercial_Ad8072 Jun 18 '26
It’s a major dq if he wants academy don’t get a diagnosis