Required Documentation

All disability documentation needs to be on letterhead and signed by the appropriate licensed educational, mental health or medical professional who is a certified or licensed practitioner in the area for which the diagnosis is made and who is not related to the student.

NOTE: Documentation presented on a practitioner's prescription pad slip will not be accepted as the only proof of a disability.

All documentation must provide the following information:

• Date of the evaluation
• Method(s) of evaluation/examination
• Specific diagnosis
• Medication(s) - expectations of effects on functioning, and any side effects
• A listing and discussion of specific limitations with respect to the current impact of the your disability in academic and academic-related environments as it relates to the accommodations requested

Additional Required Documentation -
by disability

Asperger's Syndrome

Documentation needs to include:

A history narrative focusing on functional limitations of major life activities resulting from this disorder which may include, but not be limited to the following information:

• Communication or language skills
• Social interaction skill levels
• Restricted repetitive and/or stereotypical patterns of behavior and activities
• Sensory functioning and sensitivity to environmental conditions and motor planning
• Comprehensive testing
• A statement of current functional limitations
• A specific diagnosis based on the DSM-IV-TR by a professionally licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker or medical doctor.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)

Documentation needs to include:

• Evidence of early impairment
• Evidence of current impairment
• Description of current functional limitations pertaining to an educational setting that are presumably a direct result of problems with attention
• Identification of DSM-IV-TR criteria, specific diagnosis and interpretive summary
• Documentation from a neurologist is preferred. However, documentation from a licensed psychologist, neuropsychologist or psychiatrist will also be accepted
• If initial diagnosis was made after age 12, an explanation of why ADHD is the best fit should also be included

Blind or Visually-Impaired

Documentation needs to include:

• An ophthalmological or optometric report indicating current visual acuity, near and distant vision (left/right, both eyes) visual fields, with or without corrective lenses
• Documentation must also include a specific diagnosis from a professionally licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist

Chronic Medical/Systemic Conditions

Documentation needs to include:

• Current functional limitations imposed by the medical/systemic condition
• History of the condition and whether the symptoms will improve or worsen over time
• If applicable, it should also list medications and their possible effects
• Any other pertinent information that may assist in determining appropriate accommodations
• Documentation must be provided by a licensed physician specializing in the area of the diagnosed condition

Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

Documentation needs to include:
Audiological reports indicating

• Current hearing levels
• Speech reception levels (with or without) hearing aids and/or assistive listening devices

A specific diagnosis by a professionally licensed or certified audiologist or certified pathologist.

Learning Disabilities

Documentation needs to include:
An in-depth narrative of:

• The results of a diagnostic interview
• Background information
• Behavioral observations
• A comprehensive cognitive (intellectual) assessment with resulting standard test scores and related discussion of the scores
• A complete achievement battery that measures current functioning with resulting standard test scores and related discussion; and a specific diagnosis (NOTE: the Wide Range Achievement Test is not acceptable as the only measure of achievement)

Documentation must be provided by a licensed/certified psychologist, educational diagnostician, neuropsychologist, or other professional counselor.

Physical/Mobility Impairment

Documentation needs to include:

• Current functional limitations (with or without apparatus)
• Information about whether the impairment will worsen
• The documentation must be provided by a licensed physician specializing in the area of the diagnosed condition

Psychological Disorders

Documentation needs to include:
An in-depth narrative with:

• A specific diagnosis based on the DSM-IV-TR (diagnosis I-V)
• A description of current functional limitations in the academic environment as well as across other academic-related settings
• History of the disorder
• Relevant information regarding medications and their possible effects
• A listing of the psychological tests administered
• Any other pertinent information that may assist in determining the need for appropriate accommodations

Documentation must be provided by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, professional counselor or social worker.

Traumatic/Acquired Brain Impairment (TBI/ABI)

Documentation needs to include:

• Current functional limitations imposed by the impairment
• If applicable, a list of medications and their possible effects
• Whether the condition will improve or worsen
• Any other pertinent information that might assist in determining the need for appropriate accommodations

Documentation must be provided by a neurologist, neuropsychologist or other related physician.

Other Disabilities or Chronic Medical or Systemic Disorders

For all other disabilities or chronic medical or systemic disorders, please contact Disability Support Services directly for documentation requirements.