ADHD documentation for students requesting accommodations at the postsecondary level: Update on standards and diagnostic concerns.
OBJECTIVE
To update primary health care providers on the guidelines and standards for documentation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the postsecondary level.


METHODS
We synthesized information from consultations with other experts at postsecondary disability offices and from relevant research in this area (specifically, PsycLIT, PsychINFO, and MEDLINE databases were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses from January 1990 to June 2009). Most evidence included was level III.


RESULTS
Symptoms of ADHD can occur for many reasons, and primary health care providers need to be cautious when making this diagnosis in young adults. Diagnosis alone is not sufficient to guarantee academic accommodations. Documentation of a disability presented to postsecondary-level service providers must address all aspects of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, criteria for diagnosis of ADHD, and must also clearly demonstrate how recommended academic accommodations were objectively determined.


CONCLUSIONS
Students with ADHD require comprehensive documentation of their disabilities to obtain accommodations at the postsecondary level. Implementing the guidelines proposed here would improve access to appropriate services and supports for young adults with ADHD, reduce the risk of misdiagnosis of other psychological causes, and minimize the opportunity for students to obtain stimulant medications for illicit use.
Harrison
Allyson G
AG
Department of Clinical Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6. harrisna@queensu.ca
Rosenblum
Yontanan
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002568:Certification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data