New FAA Guidance for Medical Applicants with an ADHD Diagnosis
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2023
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AOPA Director of Medical Certification Gary Crump discusses the new FAA guidance for medical applicants with a history of ADHD.
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I have ADHD and learn everything insanely fast and have never had an issue with not being able to do something
Unfortunately that's not the normal. I learn things I _enjoy_ faster than Neurotypicals - but anything boring, takes me 4 times longer.
@@Snakebloke oh anything boring is near impossible for me to learn
I graduated HS, served 4 years in the USMC, got a Bachelor’s degree, got my ppl, got my cpl, got my tailwheel endorsement, and did most of my ifr (until I ran out of money). 2 years later I got diagnosed with adhd and prescribed ritalin. Shortly after i figured out ADHD is bad in the FAA’s eyes and have not flown in 8 years because I could not afford to go through the process. I am hoping I can go through this fast track process.
ADHD is NOT a psychiatric learning disorder. Please correct that statement. There are many facets and presentations. I have had students very confused and disheartened by this perception.
More accurate to say that it's a neurological disorder.
They are still stuck in the 90's. I heard an AME call it a behavioral/learning disorder...and these are the people who hold our futures in their hands 😒
It is NOT a learning disorder! I am a psychologist. It is a developmental disorder, which means you have it from birth and always have it. Medications and other treatments address the symptoms, not the underlying disorder! With the new guidelines, people with ADHD can only get their private if they go untreated. Makes no sense. The guideline should be the physician assessment of impairment, not whether you have taken meds in the last 4 years. 85% of adults with ADHD are undiagnosed, so I guess only the 15% that are actually addressing their disorder are barred from getting their private pilot certificate.
I am a Sport Pilot with ADHD. Luckily my CFI had me check with an AME before getting my medical, or I would have been denied and I wouldn’t even been able to get my Sport Pilot certificate!
Did you admit that on the medical form? I forgot to disclose it because I went off over 4 years ago and didn't think about it while at my AME, now the AOPA is telling me i should to write a letter saying I inadvertently failed to disclose a diagnosis and attach my pharmacy records. I am also having to get a substance abuse evaluation for a DUI a reported from 3 years ago and already had to submit a mountain of paperwork for that.
Exactly. Thank you!
I'm half way through the application process, and just received an ADHD diagnosis. I had to make the choice to either take stimulants and risk this job opportunity, or go untreated. I decided that treatment is the best thing for my health, following a psychiatrists recommendation. I'm hoping to start CBT therapy soon and focus on baby steps of learning how to organize my belongings.
Friends who are ATCs have told me that they are and know several ATCs who are undiagnosed and untreated. I don't even work in anything close to aviation currently, and I know 2-3 ATCs who probably need medication. That's actually *more* dangerous.
ADHD isn't even primarily about attention or hyperactivity and it's not about learning. I know the poster-child of ADHD is an 8 year old who can't sit still, but it's more than that.
The way ADHD impairs me is that I have trouble sticking to deadlines, procrastination, organizing my belongings (biggest concern), losing my keys far too often, and completing something I need to finish. These things make it harder to stay organized in life in general, but medication helps with that. I would be a terrible secretary or wedding planner or house cleaner. I just have a really hard time staying organized, to the point where it can interfere with submitting paperwork or assignments on time, and I lose items a lot. I do I think ADHD is real, and I think my life is harder than it would be without it, but it also doesn't make me an idiot or completely incapable. I struggle with specific things, that's all.
Despite my ADHD, I'm smart enough to have completed my BA without medication, undiagnosed, by cramming before every test. And I passed the ATC assessments without medication before my diagnosis (and my concentration is even BETTER on the medication). Interesting that I can pass the required testing - what exactly are those tests measuring if I'm disqualified? Are they even testing relevant abilities? Because if they are, then I seem suited for the job, don't I? I don't think ADHD is an excuse for not passing job requirements like tests, but I don't think it's fair to judge just on the basis of ADHD if I pass those requirements. It feels like it's not merit based - ADHD impacts people in different ways, and if mine doesn't impact my concentration or focus such that the testing is not able to identify flaws, it seems like there is an incentive built into the hiring process to pressure me to deny my diagnosis, go untreated, and then have the rest of my life be harder. If you take a look at web forums like reddit, people are giving each other tips on how to get undiagnosed.
I'm medically fit otherwise. My blood pressure is normal (biggest concern about the meds, and even then there are safe medications for hypertension), I'm a healthy weight and actually fit. No other co-existing conditions. The only other thing wrong with me is flatfoot. I don't drink, do any un-prescribed drugs, and I haven't even every tried weed. I'm a bit of square! The medication helps sustain my motivation so I complete tasks that I know are good for me. I go for runs more, I plan ahead and meal prep, I stop procrastinating with dental appointments, and my mind is more at ease when I clear the clutter from my home. The medication is helpful and it is self care. It's allowed me to take better care of myself than I ever have, in ways that aren't immediately obvious to others but matter a lot to me, my health, and my happiness.
I anticipate that I'll be successful in every aspect of the hiring process except the medical. I'm probably going to be disqualified because I need the help of medication to keep my house clean and not lose my keys or credit cards. I'm aware those "deficits" are not *normal*, but it's also entirely unrelated to the job of being an ATC.
We'll see how it goes. I currently work as a 911 operator and I'm doing fantastic. But if I get disqualified pursuing ATC work purely on the basis of ADHD, then my accountant says it's decent evidence of ADHD being worthy of a tax credit due to disability status if it can legally be used to discriminate against me for employment (among other criteria). Small silver lining =/
I'd much rather get the ATC position. Fingers crossed. Technically speaking, these rules don't apply to me because I am Canadian, but our systems are basically identical in the requirements. It's so conservative.
thanks for your input and knowledge I currently have add and just realize this is a disqualifying factor, I have began talks with a flight school, but rather than waste their time and mine I will go the LSA route, and hope down the line the FAA changes their mind because like you stated if I got for the class 3 and get denied I can't got for the sports pilot license.
If you are looking to do this Fast track and tried once before the Fast Track came out to get your medical, you will be doing the standard track again ask me how I know just got my letter in the mail. SMH the FAA will never change until we get someone to overlook this administration.
What about this case. If when you flew 20 years ago and flew on a 2nd & 3rd class medical. I was in my teenage years then. I'm 48 now. What if when you applied for a medical you had issues years back but sincerely had no idea you were ADHD or Bipolar. You didn't know honestly and didn't lie but now it doesn't matter because you don't plan on flying anymore and haven't flown in 20 years. I took Ritalin for 20 year and I had no idea it was ADHD.
I had an AOPA membership in the past. I want to see if there is anything I can still do in order to get a medical certificate. Back when I was still in high school I was in a huge rush to get the medical. I did not take it seriously and went to an AME who was not the greatest and is going out of business. I was never diagnosed with ADHD but use to take medication when I was a little kid. The FAA ran me through the rack and I still got denied for a Unspecified neurodevelopmental disorder. I know I am capable. What must I do to prove that to the FAA?
You can read more about the new FAA guidance regarding ADHD here: www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2023/september/06/faa-eases-burden-for-many-pilots-with-adhd-history, or give AOPA a call at 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Same.
I'm an international applicant seeking a PPL. I used ADD medication while in the USA but stopped in early 2019. I left the USA and have not returned since. How does the FAA handle such cases? Are there specific steps I need to follow for smooth medical certification? Thanks
If you are an AOPA member you can give AOPA’s medical team a call at 800. USA. AOPA (872-2672)
@@flywithaopa Got it, thanks for the heads up! If I decide to reach out, I'll send them an email, even though I'm living abroad
AOPA I expected better. A dictionary could tell you that ADHD is a neuro developmental disorder, that can lead to learning disorders, but not necessarily IS a learning disorder. Growing studies have proven that one does not necessarily ‘grow out of’ having it. Some psychological issues are caused by the frustration of not having guidance and/or meds. ADHD diagnosis does not mean you cannot highly function. This report is a nothing burger. You still are going through the lengthy, and prejudicial process with massive out of pocket expense. How corny is this report. FAA is going to have massive shortages, and they are going to get worse. How inefficient and ineffective of them. My psych was absolutely dumbfounded when she read the requirements. Simply, over the top, and in her words, “discriminatory”.
Completely agree.
Agreed!! FAA FIX THIS ISSUE. They took away the one thing that made my significant other happy and he was highly regarded by a natural pilot by ALL his instructors. This is so barbaric, uneducated, and like you said DISCRIMINATORY
Just happened to me😢
The unmentioned fact is it maybe just a misdiagnosis of autism spectrum. I was turned down by the Air Force for a skull fracture at age 7 for which never had any affect to my having a first class medical starting with my student certificate.
Aspergers is now part of the autism spectrum. I think the medical required to just fly solo for someone like me is crap!! Meditation does not always impair!! Sorry but the truth is not what matters to the FAA.
Your comment is interesting. I have a grandchild that is a student pilot has a diagnoses of autism and also holds a 1st class medical. He did not reveal the medical condition. Do you know what the FAA policy re autism /aspergers is?
ADHD and autism have a few similar symptoms, however, are very distinct from one another. They can interchange or coexist, but not mutually exclusive. You can have one and not the other.
Or just don’t mention it
My thoughts exactly. I think mosaic rules have upset some higher certificates because they feel like expanding the rules for light sport is getting around the medical. Lol
The issue would be knowingly submitting false info on FAA Form 8500-8, Section 18, Medical History. The FAA may find out, maybe not. Roll off the dice. Feeling lucky?
@@EJWash57 I mean, it's a roll of the dice to go through the formal processes too.