Attention Deficit Disorder

Students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder who are seeking accommodations from SUNY Oswego on the basis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are to submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that evaluation reports are appropriate to document eligibility for services.

1. A qualified professional must conduct the evaluation. The following professionals would generally be considered qualified to evaluate and diagnose ADHD provided they have comprehensive training in the differential diagnosis of ADHD, and direct experience with an adolescent or adult ADHD population:  clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and other relevantly trained medical doctors.  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, typed, dated, signed, and otherwise legible.

2. Testing must be current.  In most cases, this means within the past three years.  Since assessment constitutes the basis for determining reasonable accommodations, it is in the student’s best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation to serve as the basis for decision-making about a student’s need for accommodations in a college environment.
         
Documentation must be comprehensive, to include:

• A. Evidence of early impairment. 
• B. Evidence of current impairment including evidence of impulsive/hyperactive or inattentive behaviors that significantly impair functioning in two or more settings.
• C. Evidence that evaluator ruled out alternative diagnoses or explanations.
• D. Relevant testing.  Neuropsychological or psychoeducational assessment. 
• E. Identification of DSM-IV criteria indicative of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. 
• F. Documentation and a specific diagnosis.
• G. An interpretative summary.
• H. Rationale for each accommodation recommended by the evaluator.

**These guidelines are not meant to be used exclusively or as a replacement for direct communication with the Office of Accessibility Resource Services regarding the individual nature of a disability. While submitted documentation meeting the above guidelines may be acceptable to SUNY Oswego, it is important to be aware that they may/may not meet the documentation guidelines required in other academic or testing organizations (e.g. special certifications, board examinations, standardized test for admission to graduate schools, law schools, etc.)

All documentation is confidential and should be sent to: 

Dr. Starr L. Wheeler, Coordinator
Disability Support Services
SUNY Oswego
155 Marano Campus Center
Oswego, NY 13126