Attention Deficit Disorder Documentation Criteria

Download an evaluation/documentation form.
(This form should be completed by a qualified professional.)

A qualified professional must conduct the evaluation:

AD/HD is considered a medical or clinical diagnosis. Professionals conducting assessment and rendering diagnosis of AD/HD should have appropriate training, such as developmental pediatric psychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical or educational psychologists or a combination. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification should be clearly stated in the documentation. All reports should be on letterhead, dated, signed, and otherwise legible.

Documentation should be current:

The provision of accommodations is based upon assessment of the current impact of the student’s disabilities on his or her academic performance. Documentation that is outdated or inadequate in scope or content; does not address the student’s current level of functioning; or does not address changes in the student’s performance since the previous assessment was conducted may not support requested accommodations. When appropriate, additional documentation will be requested.

Documentation necessary to substantiate a AD/HD diagnosis should include:
  • Discussion of any history of early impairment.
  • Evidence of current impairment.
  • Statement of presenting problem: A history of the individual’s presenting attentional symptoms should include evidence of ongoing impulsive/hyperactive or inattentive behaviors that significantly impair functioning.
  • Diagnostic Interview: Information collected should consist of more than a self-report, as information from third party sources is critical in diagnosis. Sources may include, but are not limited to: family history, developmental history, medical history, psycho-social history, academic history, prior psycho-educational reports, and description of current functional limitations pertaining to an educational setting.
  • Relevant testing information used to supplement the diagnostic profile.
  • Diagnostic reports should include a review and discussion of DSM-IV criteria for AD/HD both currently and retrospectively and specify which symptoms are present.
  • Documentation must clearly state a specific diagnosis.
  • Interpretative summary based on a comprehensive evaluative process should include:
    • Demonstration that alternative explanations have been ruled out;
    • Indication of patterns of inattentiveness/impulsivity/hyperactivity across life span and settings used to determine presence of ADHD;
    • Indication and discussion of the substantial limitation of learning;
    • Rationale as to why specific accommodations are needed.