Documentation Guidelines

Required Documentation for a Learning Disability

These documentation requirements, based on the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) guidelines, are used to determine eligibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. An IEP, SOP or 504 Plan is insufficient documentation.

• Credentials of the evaluators. Professionals conducting assessments and diagnosing specific learning disabilities must be qualified to do so and have no personal relationship with the individual being evaluated. Trained, experienced, certified licensed psychologists, learning disability specialists, neuropsychologists, therapists, etc. are considered qualified to evaluate in this diagnostic area. Reports should be on a letterhead with name, address, phone number and professional credentials of each evaluator and the date(s) of the evaluation.
• A clear statement of the learning disability must be included in the report. (AHEAD) Quality documentation  describes how the condition was diagnosed, functional impact, and progression of the condition. 
• Description of diagnostic methodology. (AHEAD) Quality documentation includes a description of the diagnostic criteria, evaluation methods, procedures, tests and dates of administration, as well as a clinical narrative, observation, and specific results.  It must be age normed with standard scores, percentiles, grade level, etc. The evaluation must include a minimum of one measure of aptitude and measures of achievement in reading, math and written language. Suggestions are listed below.
  
  • Aptitude:
    • WAIS
    • Woodcock Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability
  • Achievement:
    • The WRAT is not acceptable as a sole measure of achievement.
  • Reading
    • Woodcock Johnson Tests or Reading Achievement
    • Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT)
  • Mathematics
    • Woodcock Johnson: Tests of Math Achievement
    • WIAT
  • Written Language
    • Woodcock Johnson: Tests of Written Language
    • WIAT
    • Tests of Written Language (TOWL)

Most current versions should be used.

• Current Functional Limitations. (AHEAD)  documentation is thorough enough to demonstrate whether and how a major life activity is substantially limited by providing a clear sense of the severity, frequency and pervasiveness of the condition(s).  The report needs to include:
  • Evidence of the impact
  • Current functioning
  • Analysis of the data supporting the diagnosis
• Accessibility Services is responsible for determining reasonable accommodations at the post-secondary level with the student/faculty. The evaluator may include recommendations for accommodations; however, the college is not obligated to provide them solely because they are included in a report.