What does AME do with ADHD Diagnosis

MyDimeIsUp

MyDimeIsUp

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Looking to obtain a class 1 medical to fly as a living. Been asking around on different forums and wanted to post here. I had ADHD when I was young. Now I'm 16 going 17 and feel confident that I suffer little from ADHD, or to such an extent that it is no danger. I've found a neuropsychologist to administer the test. She stated that we'll do the initial cogscreen and if I do good with that then we will continue with the rest of the battery (Though this would require 2 urine tests). However, a good report from the neuropsych. is only as good as the AME who will be submitting info to the FAA. I've been looking at Dr. Tordella in Atlantic City, who is about a 1-hour drive from where I live. However, I know there are people who probably had to go through the same thing and even very reputable AMEs on this forum and was wondering what is the process the AME goes through when handling a situation that has an evaluation from a neuropsych. I know they probably don't just do the normal "Breath in, breath out. Cough for me. Your heart rate is good" and submit their part of MedXPress forum. What do you guys have to do and what do you recommend I come prepared with? Currently(if the neuropsychologist thinks I have a good chance) I'd just be bringing my neuropsych. evaluation along with my medical record.

Thanks
 
Just about everyone of us here is not properly equipped to answer your question, including me. So I can't provide any specific comment or direction other than the published information I did above, and suggestions on how to find the right AME to be your advocate during this journey.

Only a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner with experience in cases such as yours is the right person to (1) answer the questions posted above; and (2) provide the proper guidance on (a) can you get a medical and (b) what steps and documentations is needed.

So whether you use Dr. Tordella or someone else, you need to find out if they are a Senior AME, a HIMS AME, and how many times have they successfully helped with an ADHD case such as yours.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Some of the guiding documents from the FAA on ADHD

Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Decision Considerations Disease Protocols - Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

AIRMAN INFORMATION – ADHD/ADD Evaluation
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Thanks for the resources however I've read both of those along with numerous other documents. Those describe the process for the neuropsychologist administring the batter(y/ies). I'm wondering what AMEs have to do, what they need to submit, and what I need to bring to them.
 
MyDimeIsUp said:
Thanks for the resources however I've read both of those along with numerous other documents. Those describe the process for the neuropsychologist administring the batter(y/ies). I'm wondering what AMEs have to do, what they need to submit, and what I need to bring to them.
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See my second response......

You need to talk to the AME on this..... not us.
 
a senior AME could easily handle this. You cannot do anything till you submit to the FAA, then they tell you what to send them and whom to see. The AME co-ordinates the whole process.
 
lbfjrmd said:
a senior AME could easily handle this. You cannot do anything till you submit to the FAA, then they tell you what to send them and whom to see. The AME co-ordinates the whole process.
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Thanks so I should not get the initial battery until being deferred to the FAA by my AME and getting the letter from the FAA, correct?
 
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bbchien said:
I have the opposite approach. I like to get guys through On THE FIRST pass....
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Thats what I was thinking too. I contacted you in late July and was redirected to find an approved HIMS psychiatrist. I know you are partly retired, have been doing this for so long, and the fact I also don't live near where you perform evaluations so I figured Dr. Tordella is good knowing that I've heard he will sometimes consult you on certain things too along from what I've seen his extensive history with tough stuff. My plan was to get my evaluation, and if I do well walk-in to Dr. Tordella and submit everything first time.
 
I am all for getting 'ducks in a row', but anticipating what the FAA will ask for, doing such and sending 'such' unasked can sometimes cloud the picture, especially if such brings to light other un-requested problems.
 
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bbchien said:
I have the opposite approach. I like to get guys through On THE FIRST pass....
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and a good approach it is too. As i was carrier based, my app from base to final was fast and steep. I suspect both of our approaches reach the desired outcome ... in a similar and timely manner.
 
Best advice I can give is to make sure you're going to pass before you go in. I think with your history, you'll be deferred and then have to jump through a bunch of hoops for the FAA's comfort, but on your dime. Are you parents on board for the testing costs?
 
bflynn said:
Best advice I can give is to make sure you're going to pass before you go in. I think with your history, you'll be deferred and then have to jump through a bunch of hoops for the FAA's comfort, but on your dime. Are you parents on board for the testing costs?
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Yes we are splitting everything 3-way (Mom, Dad, and me)
 
Consult, consult, consult.

Do not go to Dr T for the exam, go for the consult first. He will know what to do, what you need to do, etc so that you will pass the first time.

I repeat.....consult with Dr T first.
 
Sounds like everything is covered - ditto on the consult and good luck.
 
Met with Dr. Tordella yesterday. Said I have a good argument due to me seeing only a Nurse Practitioner for the last 5 years of my yearly/half-yearly checkups. Besides the Aspergers/autism (for some reason) being my primary encounter diagnosis, he thinks I can do well with the right neuropsychologist. Feeling pretty confident and all I have to do is pick the right neuropsychologist who can write a strong report, get Children's Hospital of Philadelphia board-certified physician to write about a 2-page report on my diagnosis and latest checkups, and do well on my CogScreen and other of those cog-tests.

I'll keep this updated with my status.
 
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