Documentation Guidelines for ADD/ADHD

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Appropriate documentation should be on letterhead, typed, dated, signed, recent (within 3 years) and include: 

  • Clear statement of the DSM (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnosis
  • Date of diagnosis
  • Summary of procedures and instruments used to make the diagnosis, including diagnostic interview, aptitude testing, achievement testing, information processing and behavior rating scale
  • Summary of evaluation results, including standardized scores
  • Past and present symptoms that meet the DSM criteria for diagnosis
  • Medical history relating to current use of medication and the impact of the medication on the student's ability to meet the demands of the academic program
  • Statement of current impact and limitations on student's academic performance
  • An interpretative summary based on a comprehensive evaluative process
  • Recommendations for academic accommodations to compensate for the disability, each accommodation recommended by the evaluator must include a rationale
  • The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator.

Note: An IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a 504 Plan are not considered sufficient for the purpose of diagnosis.