Hey everyone, I recently received a deferral for my FAA medical and wanted advice from people who have been through the FAA ADHD process or just have any advice
I’m 18 and working toward my PPL with the long-term goal of an airline career.
My academic problems started freshman year after transitioning from online school in 7th and 8th grade to in-person high school. I had about a 1.6 GPA my first semester. My mom got concerned about my grades and requested a 504 Plan because when I was 6, I had an episode of tics that lasted about a month after having strep throat, so she was able to get me a 504 based on that.
I then saw a neurologist and was diagnosed with ADHD. My mom completed a paper questionnaire and provided information about my school performance. I was prescribed Vyvanse but never took it. She also prescribed guanfacine prescription as a non-stimulant alternative cause I had a heart palpitation when I had Covid in 2022 or 2023 but I never took that either. I have never taken any ADHD medication.
My grades improved after that without medication or anything. But my school later conducted an evaluation and placed me on an IEP. I had the IEP throughout high school, but I rarely used my listed accommodations during 11th and 12th grade and only really used them my sophomore year.
By 11th grade, my grades had improved significantly. I had a 3.83 GPA one semester and a 4.0 the next. I took honors and AP classes and graduated in 2026 with about a 3.4 unweighted GPA.
I’m currently taking a full college course load without accommodations and also own my own business and manage all my finances, etc, by myself.
My neurologist also followed me after the original ADHD diagnosis. At my most recent appt on July 9, 2026, she said I had no current ADHD/inattention symptoms, said that I had outgrown the symptoms over the previous year, described the ADHD as resolved, and discharged me from neurology. At the appt, she also said I have no current Tourette’s symptoms, that the childhood tics resolved years ago, and that it was unclear whether I actually had Tourette syndrome.
FAA process so far.
I’m 18 and working toward my PPL with the long-term goal of an airline career.
My academic problems started freshman year after transitioning from online school in 7th and 8th grade to in-person high school. I had about a 1.6 GPA my first semester. My mom got concerned about my grades and requested a 504 Plan because when I was 6, I had an episode of tics that lasted about a month after having strep throat, so she was able to get me a 504 based on that.
I then saw a neurologist and was diagnosed with ADHD. My mom completed a paper questionnaire and provided information about my school performance. I was prescribed Vyvanse but never took it. She also prescribed guanfacine prescription as a non-stimulant alternative cause I had a heart palpitation when I had Covid in 2022 or 2023 but I never took that either. I have never taken any ADHD medication.
My grades improved after that without medication or anything. But my school later conducted an evaluation and placed me on an IEP. I had the IEP throughout high school, but I rarely used my listed accommodations during 11th and 12th grade and only really used them my sophomore year.
By 11th grade, my grades had improved significantly. I had a 3.83 GPA one semester and a 4.0 the next. I took honors and AP classes and graduated in 2026 with about a 3.4 unweighted GPA.
I’m currently taking a full college course load without accommodations and also own my own business and manage all my finances, etc, by myself.
My neurologist also followed me after the original ADHD diagnosis. At my most recent appt on July 9, 2026, she said I had no current ADHD/inattention symptoms, said that I had outgrown the symptoms over the previous year, described the ADHD as resolved, and discharged me from neurology. At the appt, she also said I have no current Tourette’s symptoms, that the childhood tics resolved years ago, and that it was unclear whether I actually had Tourette syndrome.
FAA process so far.
- Went to a HIMS AME that was recommended to me by a few people
- Applied for first class medical on MedXpress
- Received deferral letter standard track on August 2, 2026 requesting additional info for ADHD and a 60 day deadline to submit documents.
- Completed neuropsychological evaluation (the CogScreen and the other tests) with a HIMS neuropsychologist on September 1, 2026, examiner said I did well and maybe I just outgrew the ADHD or something
- Doing my personal statement right now.
- Not sure if there's anything else to do
- Anything you think I should address in my personal statement?
- Is there anything in my history that could raise questions with the FAA?
- Could I have qualified for Fast Track cause that I never took any medication? Is it too late to switch or does it matter at this point since I already did the CogScreen?
- How long does the process typically take from now to FAA decision
- Is it worth having an aviation medical attorney or anybody to review my personal statement before submission?
- Any general advice at all
