How to Document a Disability

HOW TO DOCUMENT A DISABILITY

How to Document a Physical or Psychological Disability

Please submit a current statement on letterhead that is signed, dated, clearly states the evaluator’s credentials, and includes the following:

1. Diagnosis – Medical diagnosis or DSM-V diagnosis
2. Functional Limitations – Explain how the disability substantially limits a major
   life activity.  What difficulties will the student have at the Community College as a direct result of the diagnosis?
3. Recommendations – Provide a list of recommendations for the academic environment based on the student’s functional limitations.

• Psychological disabilities may be documented by psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed clinical professional counselors.
• Physical disabilities may be documented by medical doctors/specialists. 

How to Document a Learning Disability

Please submit a current statement by certified/licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or neuropsychologist on letterhead that is signed, dated, clearly states the evaluator’s credentials, and includes the following:

1. Diagnosis - Statement confirming that the student has a Specific Learning Disability.
2. Functional Limitations - Explain the substantial limitations that the disability will have on the student’s learning. 
3. Recommendations- Provide a list of recommendations for the academic environment based on the student’s functional limitations.
4. Acceptable Assessments-

• Psychological Evaluation, Neuropsychological Evaluation, Psycho-educational Evaluation, Learning Disability Assessment, Transition IEP
• Psychometric tests should include Adult normed intelligence testing (WAIS III) and Achievement and information processing (Woodcock-Johnson, Stanford-Binet)
• WISC 

Resources:     www.ahead.org Links to an external site.; www.ets.org Links to an external site.