Expert: Rod Powers - 9/15/2009

Question
My 17 yr old son was diagnosed at 5 years of age and was placed on medicine for ADHD...he was developmentally behind his peers by almost 2 years at that time. We never allowed him to use his diagnosis as an excuse to not excel or be a problem child. He started school at age six and has never missed being an honor student, nor has he ever had any discipline issues is school. He decided last year that a military college/career is what he would prefer for many reasons. He stopped taking his medication halfway through his 10th grade year under the supervision of our family physician just to see if he could handle it and because he knew he had to if he wanted a military career. His grades haven't declined(97.5%last marking period avg) and he has overcome the inability to focus.  He is planning on applying to the Air Force academy(long shot) and VMI and praying for an ROTC scholarship. Is he wasting his time?  He was a dangerously out of control 5 year old without medicine but now has overcome the symptoms. He is expending a lot of energy hitting the gym, taking college level classes as a high school junior(which doesn't come easy for him)all in the hopes of being an Air Force officer. He isn't interested in flying, more so in diplomatic studies.  I don't know if that will make a difference or not.  I would greatly appreciate any input or advice you could give. Thank you

Answer
Hi Beverly,

I don't think there will be a problem, as long as he has been off the medication for at least a year. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/asthma.htm

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com