The Art Institute of Seattle Policy Regarding Documentation of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) 

Students who are seeking accommodations from the Art Institute of Seattle on the basis of a diagnosis of AD/HD are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility. Documentation of AD/HD consists of the provision of professional testing and evaluation and a written report that addresses specific academic needs of the student. The cost and responsibility for providing this professional evaluation shall be borne by the student.

The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that the evaluation and report are appropriate for documenting eligibility. Documentation presented to the Disability Services Director will remain in a private confidential file in the DirectorÕs office. The Director is available to consult with diagnosticians regarding these guidelines.

The report should:

1. Be prepared by a professional (e.g. licensed psychologist, psychiatrist or physician) qualified to diagnose AD/HD. Experience in evaluation of adults with AD/HD is essential.
   
2. Be comprehensive. The use of a single test and/or informal screening instruments is not acceptable for the purpose of diagnosis. Written reports should be consistent with the diagnostic criteria found in the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) or DSM-IV-TR (Text Revision). A battery of psychological tests and behavior rating scales, a thorough social and educational history and interviews with the student and family are essential. Current research states that paper and pencil tests that are commonly used to diagnose learning disabilities are not definitive for diagnosing AD/HD, but they do serve to alert the examiner to possible concomitant disabilities.
   
3. The report should be on professional letterhead, signed by the individual making the diagnosis, and include the following information:
   
   
   • How long the diagnostician has treated the student and the date of last contact;
   • Instruments, procedures and data sources used to diagnose;
   • Current symptoms that satisfy the DSM-IV or DSM-IV-TR criteria and the approximate date of onset;
   • DSM-IV or DSM-IV-TR diagnosis;
   • Treatment being used (e.g. medication, counseling, etc.);
   • How this disorder impacts the student in the postsecondary environment; and
   • Diagnostician's name, title, license number, addresses and phone number.
   
   
4. Be current. In most cases, this means within the past three years and the assessment was completed when the individual was an adult (age 18). Since assessment constitutes the basis for determining reasonable accommodations, it is in a studentÕs best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation to serve as the basis for decision-making about a student's need for accommodations in an academically competitive environment.
   
5. Present clear and specific evidence, which identifies the individual's present level of functioning and how the student's education may be impacted.
   
6. Provide sufficient data to support the particular academic adjustment(s) requested. The documentation should demonstrate the individual has a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Requests which are not supported by proper documentation may not be approved.

If you have further questions, please contact:
Karen Ehnat, Director of Disability Services
1.206.239.2308 / Toll free 1.800.275.2471 ext. 2308 kehnat@aii.edu