ADHD GUIDELINES
There are new guidelines for any athlete who uses a banned stimulant (Ritalin/Adderall) to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The procedure that needs to be followed is listed below, as well as the e-mail address to the NCAA if you have questions. It is very important that you contact your son’s/daughter’s physician regarding the exception guidelines. Below is a copy of the e-mail from the NCAA addressing these changes:
Banned Stimulant Medication Reporting Guidelines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment.
As noted in various communications to the membership throughout the past 12 months, effective August 2009 there will be a stricter application of the NCAA Medical Exception policy, and specifically for the use of banned stimulant medications to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This stricter application will provide more complete information to the medical panel of the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS), which reviews requests for a medical exception to a positive drug test for these stimulant medications.
Any student-athlete who tests positive from the effective date will need to comply with this stricter application, even if that student-athlete had received an exception for the use of stimulant medication prior to August 2009.
CSMAS has reviewed and approved a guideline to assist the membership to meet the requirements of this stricter application of the NCAA Medical Exception Policy. The guideline, with criteria for physician reporting letters that define what documents the prescribing physician should submit to the institution, is now posted at:
Questions should be directed to mwilfert@ncaa.org