Documenting Attention Deficit Disorder
Students, faculty, staff, and campus guests wishing to request accommodations due to Attention Deficit Disorder, With and Without Hyperactivity, can refer to the links below. The first link, Currency of Documentation addresses the need for the documentation to discuss the current impact of the condition for the person as an individual. The second link, Documentation Requirements, includes the content of the documentation necessary for determining eligibility for accommodations and services at Drexel University.
Documenting Attention Deficit Disorder, With and Without Hyperactivity
The nature and impact of attention deficit disorder, with and without hyperactivity, can present a host of symptoms, functional limitations, and treatment plans. A current assessment needs to reflect the functional limitations that an individual is currently experiencing. Updated and current documentation will be necessary to determine the severity, limitations, and stability of prescriptions, and treatment plans. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) will communicate the need for documentation, if appropriate, when an individual makes accommodation requests. The ODS will determine currency based on the most current impact known, prognosis, and mitigating measures. Documentation is an integral aspect to supporting reasonable and appropriate auxiliary aids, accommodations, and service requests.
Documentation Requirements for Attention Deficit Disorder, With and Without Hyperactivity
A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, With and Without Hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD), is required by a licensed mental health professional who has experience with the assessment and diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. Included among acceptable mental health professionals are licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, or neurologists. Practitioners need to adhere to their profession's professional code of ethics as it relates to qualifications, dual relationships, and conflicts of interest. The professional’s license number must be included on the psychological/psychiatric report.
The following requirements are provided to assist the Office of Disability Services (ODS) staff at Drexel University in collaborating with each individual to determine appropriate accommodations while attending or working at Drexel. Documentation serves as the foundation for an individual’s request for appropriate accommodations.
Documentation should include the following:
1. The credentials of the mental health professional, including training or expertise in diagnosing
ADD/ADHD in adults.
2. A clear statement of the diagnosis, including pertinent
symptamotology, fluctuations in the
Individual’s condition, and evidence of ongoing impulsive/hyperactive or inattentive behaviors
that significantly impair functioning in at least two settings. Additionally, there should be evidence
that alternate diagnoses/explanations have been ruled out.
3. Historical information illustrating evidence of the disorder during childhood and adolescence,
including academic or job history. This may be based on parent and/or teacher reports, a spouse
report, transcripts/report cards, tutoring evaluations, past psycho-educational testing, and/or third
party interviews. Developmental history should also be included.
4. Information pertaining to the individual’s current level of functioning in the educational or work
setting.
5. A clear explanation of how the individual’s symptoms of ADD/ADHD cause significant limitations for
the individual, within the academic environment or workplace. The degree of the limitation
should be addressed.
6. Testing is not required for a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. However, test results can be helpful as
supporting documentation for accommodation requests. For all tests administered, the name of the test, standard scores, and percentiles should be reported. The report should discuss how the results support the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and the impact of the condition on the individual with the condition. Tests may include assessments of intellectual ability, memory function, attention or tracking, continuous performance tests, and surveys or checklists.
7. Medical information related to the individual’s needs, including the absence of an alternate
medical condition which accounts for the displayed symptoms, and the impact of medication on
the individual’s ability to meet the demands of the postsecondary environment or workplace.
Additionally, it should be noted whether or not the individual was tested while taking medication.
8. The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) defines a disability as a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Additionally, if the individual has not
historically been accommodated, an explanation for this, and why the accommodations are now needed.
9. 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 individual, and the individual’s request for accommodation.
10. All medical documentation needs to be submitted to the ODS in English.
Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing disabling conditions are indicated.
All documentation is confidential and should be submitted to:
Office of Disability Services, Drexel
University
3141 Chestnut Street, 81-210
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215.895.1401 TTY: 215.895.2299 Fax: 215.895.1402