Johns Hopkins University

2026 RECIPIENT

Best Practices in College Health Award — Counseling Services Category

“Advancing ADHD Care in College Health: An Integrated, Equity-Centered Clinical Evaluation Program”

Johns Hopkins University Student Health and Well-Being launched its integrated ADHD clinical evaluation program in late 2022 to establish a standardized, equitable, and patient-centered approach to diagnosing and managing ADHD across a diverse student population of more than 19,500 learners. Developed to address persistent gaps in access, affordability, and consistency in higher education, the program replaces reliance on costly neuropsychological testing with evidence-informed clinical assessment grounded in DSM criteria and supported by validated tools such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS).

Serving students seeking both initial evaluation and ongoing treatment, the program employs an integrated care model that coordinates psychiatric and primary care services to ensure efficient screening, triage, and longitudinal management. Since implementation, utilization has increased substantially, from fewer than 40 diagnosed students annually to hundreds receiving evaluations, with nearly 500 students currently engaged in medication treatment.

Program objectives include expanding access, reducing financial and structural barriers, broadening provider scope, and standardizing care processes to ensure safe, consistent, and data-driven practice. By embedding ADHD care within core student health services and emphasizing equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical rigor, the program offers a scalable, replicable model for institutions nationwide.