45.1 ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to 1) describe the most common functional impairments experienced by college students with ADHD; 2) list key steps to carry out an assessment of students complaining of "attention deficit" symptoms; 3) describe academic supports and accommodations that can assist students with ADHD to succeed in college; 4) discuss medication management options; and 5) describe psychosocial treatments (e.g., CBT) to enhance functioning. Methods: This session will review the literature on college students with ADHD, provide a framework for carrying out a comprehensive assessment, and discuss evidence-based multimodal interventions for this population. Results: Surveys have found that between two and nine percent of college students fulfill diagnostic criteria for ADHD. As a group, these students are more likely to experience academic, social, and mental health difficulties than their peers. They are also at risk for developing alcohol and substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders. Recent studies have documented the effectiveness of combined treatment approaches in helping college students with ADHD adapt to the challenges of college life. Academic accommodations and supports (such as coaching), along with medication management and targeted CBT, aimed at improving executive functioning skills have all shown promising results. Conclusions: There is growing evidence that comprehensive evaluation and targeted interventions for college students with ADHD can improve academic, social, and mental health functioning in this population.