Assessment of the ADHD PilotDan DaSilva, Ph.D.Morris Psychological GroupRutgers University, Graduate School of EducationAtlantic Neuroscience Institute

Demographics• 35 year-old, left handed, male• Boarding/prep school graduate with no history of special

services.• College educated Big Ten university located up north (2.9

GPA)• Private pilot since 2016• Failed to report ADHD Dx and medication • Dx and medication revealed to another physician and

those records were sent to FAA.

Demographics• Dx in 2004 after graduation.• C/O regarding his work load and late nights at new

job.• Physician prescribed Adderall which he took only on

work days.• Gave him “laser point focus”• Asserts that he never used medication when flying.

Never saw the point.

– No learning disability– No difficulties paying attention in school– No teacher complaints or concerns– Some “acting up” in elementary school but no

behavioral issues from middle school through high school.

– Color Blin

• Negative neurological and psychiatric histories• Drinks “rarely” only occasional glass of wine with

dinner.• Denies any illicit drug use.

CogScreen-AE (visit 1)

Regional Carrier Norms

LRPV: 0.9973

CogScreen-AE

Taylor Aviation Factors

CogScreen-AE (Visit 2)

LRPV: 0.4164

Taylor Factors

CogScreen Scores (age adjusted GA norms)

• Speed Scores– Manikin T = 35– Previous Number Dual T = 37– SAT Discovery T = 28

CogScreen Scores (age adjusted GA norms)

• Accuracy– Backward Digit Span T = 33

• Process– Failure to Maintain Set T = 23

Test Raw Age T GA Pilot T

TMT A 15 65 63

TMT B 41 58 56

CPT Omission

2 51

CPT Commission

3 63

CPT RT 22

PASAT 1 48 50

PASAT 2 35 47

Test Raw Age T GA Pilot T

Tower of London Moves

34 SS = 94

Category Test 51 35

COWA 39 44

Animals 27 54

Test SS %ile

VCI 91 27

PCI 77 6

WMI 105 63

PSI 105 63

FSIQ 91 27

GAI 81 10

Test ss %ile

Similarities 8 25

Vocabulary 8 25

Information 9 37

Block Design 6 9

Matrix Reasoning 7 16

Visual Puzzles 5 5

Test ss %ile

Digit Span 11 63

Arithmetic 11 63

Symbol Search 11 63

Coding 11 63

CVLT-II

CVLT-II

Rey FigureTest Raw Age T

Copy 35 >16th %ile

Imm. Recall 16 36

Delayed Recall 15.5 34

Recognition 15 <20

Academic and Behavioral/Psychological

WRAT 4 Reading SS = 94

Connors’ Adult ADH Rating Scales (Long)No Elevations

MMPI-2Mildly defensive, no Clinical or Content Elevations

Conclusion• Clear Evidence of disqualifying cognitive deficiency • Pilot aware of difficulties• Discussed with pilot the status to that point• HOWEVER...pilot has already purchased used Piper• Therefore VERY motivated• AME notified of current status• Pilot considering aggressive cognitive exercises