LD/ADHD Assessment

Especially among academically talented students, it is not uncommon for learning disabilities (LD) or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to remain undetected until one attends college. Vanderbilt attracts excellent students who are most often diversely talented and gifted. For such students, a learning disability or ADHD may not be manifested until they confront the increase in academic challenges that the University presents.

If you are interested in being tested for LD or ADHD, the process is to call (2-2571) and ask to arrange an LD/ADHD initial interview. We will meet with you for about one hour and ask detailed questions about your past learning history. We will occasionally add information forms for you and your parents or guardians to complete. The next step is that a licensed psychologist reviews the information obtained. We will then contact you and make a recommendation that we either believe that you should or should not be formally tested. We will also make other recommendations as appropriate. Thus, to come in, complete an initial assessment, and get a recommendation is at no cost to you, except time.

If you elect to pursue a recommendation of further testing, the next step is to return, arrange payment, and undergo testing. The cost can either be applied to your student account, or you can pay at the time of testing. We require at least half of the fee to begin testing (the other half can be paid when you come in for your testing results). We also evaluate need for students who cannot pay the fee and help to secure financial aid for assessment. Thus, please do not let the fee prevent you from contacting us.

Depending upon the test results, we will help facilitate the reporting of the results, if you so wish and sign a release, with the Opportunity Development Center (ODC), which is the disability services office at Vanderbilt, and help to arrange appropriate interventions. The ODC arranges for academic accommodations, if appropriate, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

All work completed at the Psychological and Counseling Center is confidential, and we do not release any information without your explicit written direction. Work completed here will not be registered on your family's medical insurance, as it is a part of your student services. To cover the cost of the fee, however, you may wish to submit information regarding your services for testing to your insurance company. Although we find these to be rare exceptions, some policies will cover the cost of the testing.

Other Psychological Assessment

The Psychological and Counseling Center conducts the full range of psychological assessment from testing to ascertain mental health diagnoses, to assessment related to disciplinary action with Residential Life, and pre-employment psychological evaluation for public safety officers. Psychological assessment at the Psychological and Counseling Center is tailored specifically to the presenting situation and cannot be fully detailed in explanation, given the heterogeneity of services offered. Please contact us for information related to specific questions regarding other psychological assessment services.

Psychological and Counseling Center | Vanderbilt University
Box 7707, Station B | Nashville, TN 37235-7707
615.322.2571 | (fax) 615.322.1326