damn it appears I do not qualify for fast track. Praying I will get that special issuance, I've become completely obsessed with aviation ever since I started flight school and I desperately want to make it my career. This whole medical process is so unbelievably stressful. It's the not knowing that's the worst.
I was diagnosed with a high functioning form of Autism(ASD) when I was around 12years old. I function at a high level. I do not take any medications for my condition. Is there a possibility that I might be able to qualify in the future for receiving an FAA medical?
There are only 3 mental health conditions that are almost always permanently disqualifying- bipolar disorder, psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorders with psychosis) and "personality disorders manifested by overt acts" (usually means antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, schizoid). ASD is not on that list and that means medical issuance is possible on a case by case basis. There are lots of people flying with high functioning ASD-- some diagnosed, some not. Pretty much any mental health issue except certain cases of PTSD and adjustment disorder are going to require review by the FAA to get a medical issued. The standard requirements for autism is going to be an aviation psychiatric evaluation, a neuropsychological evaluation and review of treatment records. If all of that is favorable, medical issuance is absolutely possible. If you'd like to discuss specifics of your case at some point, get in touch and we'll set up a consultation. moontowerwellness.com/aviation-hims-psychiatry
I hope you see this because I am looking for an answer. I was diagnosed as a child in the 90's, but stopped taking meds when I hit puberty because my symptoms more or less disappeared. That was 25 years ago. 2 years ago my GP found out about this history and wanted to try Strattera (a non-stimulant ADHD medication) just to see if it would make any difference. It really didn't make sense to me because I haven't really shown major symptoms since I was pre-pubescent, but I figured what could it hurt right? I stayed on it for a whopping 20 days before I realized I didn't need it and it was doing nothing for me. Is there any way to get around that 20 day period where a GP, not a Psychologist, prescribed me something I didn't even need? I can prove I only took it for 20 days as I still have the bottle in my medicine cabinet and the script was never refilled and my GP would most likely be willing to write a letter to whoever would need to see it explaining what happened, or am I destined to spend thousands on the standard track having testing done or wait two years to clear the 4 year mark?
Your GP was probably getting a kick back from a drug company why he was trying to push those drugs on you. Medical industry is corrupted by greed more then ever. If we lived in the UK where all doctors work for the Government and get paid a set salary none of this would happen they are not motived by greed.
Pilot with ADHD here, I would recommend waiting the 2 years. That situation sucks, but if you really want the best chance of getting a medical, I would wait the 2 years, and then you should have no problems getting a medical. Sorry for the bad news!
@hypoxia_lover life is just funny like that sometimes, but it's my lifelong dream. The FAA will have to hang a sign on the door telling me to go away before I give up. Thanks for the advise.
@@Mk7Poorsche Hey man, best wishes! I took adhd meds for over 10 years until I graduated high school, and had very few problems getting issued a medical (through the fast track), so I'm very confident you'll be able to get one eventually. Don't give up!
@@Mk7Poorsche Check out the forum Pilots of America there is a medical sub forum you can post questions anonymous. There are 2 regular HIMS AME's who respond be sure to use anonymous posting. The problem with you quitting the drug is the doctor diagnosed you even if you didn't know it he did so he could get paid by insurance. You quit taking the meds in the FAA eyes you were diagnosed not following treatment plan the doctor ordered. I know it sounds crazy you need an AME advice who knows how to get these things passed the FAA Dr Bruce who posts under bbchien there is one of the best AME's in the country. He knows what the FAA will want he gets them everything ahead of time before he defers when the FAA gets it they won't have further testing or questions.
What would you say the likelihood of special issuance is with clear misdiagnosis but treatment within 4 years? Also do you have a timeline of issuance or denial after the nueropsychological exam takes place?
Usually the likelihood of regular issuance is excellent in anybody with mild or moderate ADHD who functions well off medication. It's just that the AME is unable to issue. You will have to go through a standard track ADHD evaluation with a neuropsychologist, and if that is favorable and you don't have any other disqualifying health issues, you should get a regular medical. In straightforward cases, the FAA is (as of summer 2024) taking up to about 3-6 months to return decisions and issue medicals once documents are submitted for review in these kinds of cases.
@@AME.answers Thank you! I completed the standard track and have had all of my documents submitted since March 15th, hopefully it'll come through any day now. Appreciate the reply!
I used ADD medication while in the USA but stopped in early 2019. I returned to my home country and have not been back since. How does the FAA handle such cases? Are there specific steps I need to follow for smooth medical certification?
You would need to review the requirements of FAA ADHD Fast Track and see if you meet those. I recommend doing an AME consultation with an experienced AME.
The only records the FAA can see without you sending it in is a government/military record, most commonly a list of VA disability ratings. All other records they will request if you report a specific medical issue that requires a deferred medical or FAA review for authorization. You have to send them in if you want to be considered for a medical certificate and have an issue they are reviewing.
80% of ADHD was misdiagnoses because schools used it as a tool to control kids who caused problems for them. They would tell the parents go to this doctor they have a relationship with and have your son checked for ADHD. That doctor usually not even a psychiatrist typically a General practitioner who took a 2-3 day course put on by a drug company who is selling the drugs and kicking back to the doctor. Every child who goes in that office is quickly diagnosed and given a prescription for mild version of legal meth. School is happy, parents are happy eventually kids have side effects like losing too much weight just giving your kids weak version of meth. They quit taking it and 30 years goes by your labeled mentally incompetents by the FAA..
ADHD is overdiagnosed and underdiagnosed depending on the population we're talking about. In my career as a psychiatrist and in my family members who are educators, I have not seen evidence of the kind of collusion you mention or kickbacks to doctors for prescribing stimulants in the way that you are saying. There is also the fact that ADHD is a real condition for some people, and at its most severe, it absolutely has aeromedical implications. The FAA has to do something to assess risk in people who have an ADHD history, and at least they are willing to issue medicals in most circumstances after evaluation vs. the military where it is totally disqualifying for flying.
damn it appears I do not qualify for fast track. Praying I will get that special issuance, I've become completely obsessed with aviation ever since I started flight school and I desperately want to make it my career. This whole medical process is so unbelievably stressful. It's the not knowing that's the worst.
I've been there! It is stressful, but so worth it! Best of luck!
I was diagnosed with a high functioning form of Autism(ASD) when I was around 12years old. I function at a high level. I do not take any medications for my condition. Is there a possibility that I might be able to qualify in the future for receiving an FAA medical?
There are only 3 mental health conditions that are almost always permanently disqualifying- bipolar disorder, psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorders with psychosis) and "personality disorders manifested by overt acts" (usually means antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, schizoid). ASD is not on that list and that means medical issuance is possible on a case by case basis. There are lots of people flying with high functioning ASD-- some diagnosed, some not. Pretty much any mental health issue except certain cases of PTSD and adjustment disorder are going to require review by the FAA to get a medical issued. The standard requirements for autism is going to be an aviation psychiatric evaluation, a neuropsychological evaluation and review of treatment records. If all of that is favorable, medical issuance is absolutely possible. If you'd like to discuss specifics of your case at some point, get in touch and we'll set up a consultation. moontowerwellness.com/aviation-hims-psychiatry
In australia never happen need to be clean 6 months
I hope you see this because I am looking for an answer. I was diagnosed as a child in the 90's, but stopped taking meds when I hit puberty because my symptoms more or less disappeared. That was 25 years ago. 2 years ago my GP found out about this history and wanted to try Strattera (a non-stimulant ADHD medication) just to see if it would make any difference. It really didn't make sense to me because I haven't really shown major symptoms since I was pre-pubescent, but I figured what could it hurt right? I stayed on it for a whopping 20 days before I realized I didn't need it and it was doing nothing for me. Is there any way to get around that 20 day period where a GP, not a Psychologist, prescribed me something I didn't even need? I can prove I only took it for 20 days as I still have the bottle in my medicine cabinet and the script was never refilled and my GP would most likely be willing to write a letter to whoever would need to see it explaining what happened, or am I destined to spend thousands on the standard track having testing done or wait two years to clear the 4 year mark?
Your GP was probably getting a kick back from a drug company why he was trying to push those drugs on you. Medical industry is corrupted by greed more then ever. If we lived in the UK where all doctors work for the Government and get paid a set salary none of this would happen they are not motived by greed.
Pilot with ADHD here, I would recommend waiting the 2 years. That situation sucks, but if you really want the best chance of getting a medical, I would wait the 2 years, and then you should have no problems getting a medical. Sorry for the bad news!
@hypoxia_lover life is just funny like that sometimes, but it's my lifelong dream. The FAA will have to hang a sign on the door telling me to go away before I give up. Thanks for the advise.
@@Mk7Poorsche Hey man, best wishes! I took adhd meds for over 10 years until I graduated high school, and had very few problems getting issued a medical (through the fast track), so I'm very confident you'll be able to get one eventually. Don't give up!
@@Mk7Poorsche Check out the forum Pilots of America there is a medical sub forum you can post questions anonymous. There are 2 regular HIMS AME's who respond be sure to use anonymous posting. The problem with you quitting the drug is the doctor diagnosed you even if you didn't know it he did so he could get paid by insurance. You quit taking the meds in the FAA eyes you were diagnosed not following treatment plan the doctor ordered. I know it sounds crazy you need an AME advice who knows how to get these things passed the FAA Dr Bruce who posts under bbchien there is one of the best AME's in the country. He knows what the FAA will want he gets them everything ahead of time before he defers when the FAA gets it they won't have further testing or questions.
What would you say the likelihood of special issuance is with clear misdiagnosis but treatment within 4 years? Also do you have a timeline of issuance or denial after the nueropsychological exam takes place?
Usually the likelihood of regular issuance is excellent in anybody with mild or moderate ADHD who functions well off medication. It's just that the AME is unable to issue. You will have to go through a standard track ADHD evaluation with a neuropsychologist, and if that is favorable and you don't have any other disqualifying health issues, you should get a regular medical. In straightforward cases, the FAA is (as of summer 2024) taking up to about 3-6 months to return decisions and issue medicals once documents are submitted for review in these kinds of cases.
@@AME.answers Thank you! I completed the standard track and have had all of my documents submitted since March 15th, hopefully it'll come through any day now. Appreciate the reply!
I used ADD medication while in the USA but stopped in early 2019. I returned to my home country and have not been back since. How does the FAA handle such cases? Are there specific steps I need to follow for smooth medical certification?
You would need to review the requirements of FAA ADHD Fast Track and see if you meet those. I recommend doing an AME consultation with an experienced AME.
@@AME.answers Thank you
Does this information apply to first class medicals?
Correct! This applies to all classes of medical certification.
Are they really allowed to see into all your medical records?
The only records the FAA can see without you sending it in is a government/military record, most commonly a list of VA disability ratings. All other records they will request if you report a specific medical issue that requires a deferred medical or FAA review for authorization. You have to send them in if you want to be considered for a medical certificate and have an issue they are reviewing.
@@AME.answers Thank you!
@@AME.answersdoes this include the va prescriptions list?
80% of ADHD was misdiagnoses because schools used it as a tool to control kids who caused problems for them. They would tell the parents go to this doctor they have a relationship with and have your son checked for ADHD. That doctor usually not even a psychiatrist typically a General practitioner who took a 2-3 day course put on by a drug company who is selling the drugs and kicking back to the doctor. Every child who goes in that office is quickly diagnosed and given a prescription for mild version of legal meth. School is happy, parents are happy eventually kids have side effects like losing too much weight just giving your kids weak version of meth. They quit taking it and 30 years goes by your labeled mentally incompetents by the FAA..
ADHD is overdiagnosed and underdiagnosed depending on the population we're talking about. In my career as a psychiatrist and in my family members who are educators, I have not seen evidence of the kind of collusion you mention or kickbacks to doctors for prescribing stimulants in the way that you are saying. There is also the fact that ADHD is a real condition for some people, and at its most severe, it absolutely has aeromedical implications. The FAA has to do something to assess risk in people who have an ADHD history, and at least they are willing to issue medicals in most circumstances after evaluation vs. the military where it is totally disqualifying for flying.