Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Guidelines for Documentation of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The following guidelines are provided to help assure that the documentation accurately verifies eligibility for individuals with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Any documentation submitted to Disability Support Services is confidential. The student is responsible for the financial costs and providing this information. The Assistant Director for DSS is available to consult with diagnosticians regarding these guidelines. 

The documentation should be prepared by a licensed professional with relevant expertise, such as psychologists, neuropsychologists, or other medical doctors who have direct experience working with adolescents and adults with ADHD. Additional information may be necessary from other healthcare providers, including therapists, psychiatrists, physicians, and others. 

The documentation should demonstrate that the individual has a disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It should also provide sufficient data to support the specific academic adjustments being requested. Since the documentation provided forms the basis for determining accommodations, it is in the student's best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation that serves as the foundation for decision-making about their need for accommodations in an academically competitive environment. 

The following guidelines are provided to ensure that the evaluations and reports are appropriate for documenting eligibility and identifying and determining reasonable accommodations. The documentation should include: 

• A diagnosis that aligns with the diagnostic criteria found in the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) or subsequent editions. 

• A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis, including evaluation results and standardized scores if applicable. 

• A description of the type and severity of current symptoms. 

• A summary of how the disability impacts the student in the post-secondary educational environment. 

• A description of treatments, medications, and assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use. 

• Information about any existing side effects of medication that affect the student's ability to meet the demands of the post-secondary educational environment (e.g., physical, perceptual, behavioral, or cognitive). 

• A description of the expected progression or stability of the disability over time. 

• Suggestions regarding academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services may be included; however, the final determination rests with the Disability Support Services office. 

Documentation should be on professional letterhead, signed by the professional, and include their title, license number, address, and phone number. 

If there are any questions regarding documentation, please contact the Assistant Director for Disability Support Services at dss@wallawalla.edu or 509 527-2313.