Pervasive Developmental Disorders Documentation Guidelines
Guidelines for Pervasive Developmental Disorders Including Autism, Spectrum
Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, and Others
The student is responsible for providing documentation that supports
his/her request for accommodation services. It is important that the
documentation clearly establishes that the student has a disability as
defined by federal regulations and that the documentation clearly supports
the individual's request for accommodation. The following documentation
guidelines are provided in the interest of ensuring that documentation
of a disability demonstrates a significant impact on major life activity
and supports the individual's request for services.
- A
qualified professional must conduct the evaluation: An evaluation
must be conducted by a qualified professional. Professionals conducting
assessment should have appropriate training in diagnosing psychiatric
conditions. 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. Qualified Professionals
include : Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Psychologists,
Neuropsychologists, Psychiatrists and other relevantly trained medical
doctors.
- Documentation should be current: The
provision of accommodations is based upon assessment of the current
impact of the student's disabilities. Documentation that is outdated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
supportive documentation will be requested.
- Documentation
necessary to substantiate a disability should include: A
specific diagnosis that conforms to DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th Edition). A criteria for Autism,
Asperger's Syndrome, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise
Specified.
Current functional limitations on major life activities
resulting from the Autism spectrum disorder to include, but not be
limited to: communication or language skills, social interaction,
restricted, repetitive and/or stereotyped patterns of behavior and
activities, sensory functioning and sensitivity to environmental
conditions, and motor planning. Evidence to support the function
limitations this statement may include aptitude testing, standardized
tests of language skills, clinical and teacher observations, and
standardized scales of symptoms related to autism. Recommendations
for accommodations related to function and their rationale should
be stated and any other strategies or services that may benefit the
individual in a higher education environment.
Last Modified:
January 12, 2007
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