Western State College of Colorado

DISABILITY SERVICES HANDBOOK 2008 - 2009

Documentation Guidelines: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Note: Although the term "Attention Deficit Disorder" (ADD) is frequently used, "Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" (ADHD) will be used in this document.

ADHD is considered a medical or clinical diagnosis. Individuals qualified to render a diagnosis for ADHD are practitioners who have been trained in the assessment of ADHD and have direct experience working with adolescents and adults with ADHD. Recommended practitioners may include clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and other qualified medical doctors. The diagnostician should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes a student’s request for appropriate accommodations. Documentation for eligibility should be current, preferably within the last three years (the age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student, and the student’s request for accommodations). The following guidelines are provided to assist the service provider in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations.

Recommended documentation includes:

1. A specific diagnosis of ADHD based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. In clear, direct language, the report must identify the substantial limitation of a major life activity presented by the ADHD;

2. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis;

3. All quantitative information in standard scores and/or percentiles;

4. All relevant developmental, familial, medical, medication, psychosocial, behavioral, and academic information;

5. Suggestions of reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate at the postsecondary level. These recommendations should be based on significant functional limitations and should be supported by the diagnostic assessment.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if coexisting learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated. Appropriate accommodations are collaboratively determined by the student and the Director of Disability Services at Western State College.

Documentation guidelines for:

• ADHD
• Blind/Low Vision
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Head Injury/Traumatic Brain Injury
• Physical Disabilities & Systemic Illnesses
• Psychiatric/Psychological Disabilities
• Rehabilitated Drug Addiction/Alcoholism
• Specific Learning Disability

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