Santa Barbara City College students can take an online exam to be screened for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and see results within a week.

The community college integrated a diagnostic evaluation from Mentavi Health for ADHD assessments for students seeking to join the Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS), according to a recent announcement.

While SBCC has been using Mentavi’s assessment since 2022, the first couple years were dedicated to quietly piloting the program, according to Jana Garnett, DSPS coordinator and director. The recent announcement is meant to let students know the program is now being used more commonly. 

Students will be able to receive results as quickly as five days after taking an hour to hour and a half assessment, according to SBCC spokesman Jordan Killebrew.

The test costs $189, a significant reduction from the in-person assessments which could cost students thousands of dollars.

“That’s a significant financial barrier for most students,” Garnett said.

Additionally, the test can be taken online anywhere, and students can pause and resume whenever they’d like.

The adoption of this assessment addresses the long wait times students face, often weeks, before getting an off-campus diagnostic appointment, which consequently delays accommodations. 

ADHD is reportedly the second-largest eligibility category for DSPS on campus. The developmental disorder makes paying attention harder, and brings hyperactivity and impulsivity, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Test results are reviewed by a doctorate-level clinician. Students can also share their report with the campus’ DSPS office to see if accommodations would be appropriate in their case or meet with a Mentavi clinician for alternatives such as therapy, medical treatment or coaching.  

“The student population is one where time is really of the essence, a lot of times we’re dealing with folks that need their accommodations sooner than later and they don’t have time to wait weeks or months for a diagnosis,” said Corey Hart, Senior Director of Business Growth at Mentavi Health, in a statement.

Additionally, the assessment was clinically validated against the current standard of care, according to Mentavi Health. The study was published just last month.

“It’s a game changer for students,” Hart said. “It’s building a framework and a foundation for how students are going to manage throughout life after school into careers and families.”