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Steven W. Noles, Psy.D.
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ATTENTION DEFICIT
HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER and
Attention Deficit Disorder (the new terminology talks about different
"types" of ADHD and has all but eliminated the use of ADD) are areas of
growing concern for student-athletes for several reasons:
- Student-athletes
need to be as efficient with their time as possible
and ADHD often means students have to spend more
time on academics than other similarly qualified students in order to
get the same results.
- ADHD
can interfere with an
athlete's ability to obtain certain qualifying scores on standardized
tests such as the SATs which will complicate recruiting.
- ADHD
could indirectly cause an athlete to lose eligibility.
- The
NCAA is placing more emphasis on student-athletes achieving
in the classroom and is beginning to hold programs and athletic
departments at least partially responsible for graduation and retention
rates.
- ADHD
issues can promote and perpetuate the myth of the
"dumb jock."
- ADHD
can interfere with an athlete's
ability to accurately process plays and instruction from the coaching
staff.
ADHD student-athletes are eligible for the same services
as any other student but research shows that
student-athletes access services at a much lower rate than other
non-athlete students. There are many reasons for this but what is
important is that student-athletes who struggle in the classroom should
not just accept this as inevitable. A comprehensive
psychological/educational evaluation should be conducted by a qualified
psychologist who is familiar with both NCAA and AHEAD (Association for
Higher Education and Disabilities) guidelines.
Accurate identification and timely interventions keep student-athletes
in school, on the team, and eligible to play creating a win-win-win
scenario for the student-athlete, the team, and the school.
Contact Dr. Noles
to arrange for a consultation about ADHD and other academic issues.
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