Review ArticlePractice

ADHD documentation for students requesting accommodations at the postsecondary level

Update on standards and diagnostic concerns

Allyson G. Harrison and Yontanan Rosenblum
Canadian Family Physician August 2010; 56 (8) 761-765;

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To update primary health care providers on the guidelines and standards for documentation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the postsecondary level.

QUALITY OF EVIDENCE 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.

MAIN MESSAGE 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.

CONCLUSION 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.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed childhood behavioural disorder. The core symptoms include inappropriate levels of attention, concentration, activity, and distractibility.1 It is estimated that between 3% and 10% of children are affected by this disorder, but that less than half of these individuals will go on to demonstrate clinically significant symptoms of ADHD in adulthood.2 Despite the fact that ADHD symptoms become less debilitating with age, research estimates that about 20% of the disabled college student population is diagnosed with ADHD,3 and postsecondary institutions have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of students presenting to disability services offices (DSOs) with a diagnosis of ADHD from their family physicians.4 This might reflect the fact that family physicians are now increasingly faced with adult patients coming to their offices with questions about the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. However, in such instances there are no accompanying test data to objectively demonstrate that the students are substantially impaired in performing academic tasks, or that medications fail to effectively alleviate academic impairments. This causes difficulties for DSO staff charged with providing academic accommodations to these students, as it is not clear in which areas and to what extent ADHD is affecting learning. Indeed, there is no single typical accommodation profile for those diagnosed with ADHD, and so DSO staff cannot use a diagnosis alone to determine appropriate accommodations. Further, accommodations must mitigate an impairment but not provide an unfair advantage to the individual relative to others at the postsecondary level. The following is a review of the challenges facing clinicians, physicians, and disability service providers when determining which, if any, accommodations should be provided to students diagnosed with ADHD at the postsecondary level.

Quality of evidence

We synthesized information from consultations with other experts at postsecondary DSOs 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, using key words including ADHD, hyperactivity, adults, accommodation, diagnosis, and post-secondary education. Most evidence included was level III.

Diagnostic criteria and challenges

Confirmation of symptoms

In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the student must first demonstrate at least 6 of 9 symptoms of inattention or 6 of 9 symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, (DSM-IV).5 However, some research has suggested that in the adult population this criterion is overly restrictive and relies on child-centric symptoms.6 At minimum, in addition to confirming that the patient met the diagnostic criteria in childhood, the adult student must currently demonstrate at least 5 symptoms in 1 of the aforementioned areas.7 The presence of these symptoms alone, however, is not sufficient for diagnosis, as research has shown that a large proportion of students8 and adults9 report experiencing at least 5 ADHD symptoms on a regular basis. While clinicians or medical doctors employ self-report scales to measure the frequency and severity of symptoms, this alone is not sufficient for a diagnosis.2

Impairment

The second criterion necessary for adult diagnosis of ADHD is that these symptoms must substantially impair the person’s ability to function in more than 1 main life area (ie, not just in school). Symptoms must also be shown to occur more frequently than is typical for others of the same age.10 Distinguishing between normal and abnormal behaviour is extremely difficult when evaluating adolescents and young adults (eg, differentiating between developmentally normal and abnormal levels of procrastination, disorganization, distractibility, and academic underachievement, and school problems secondary to poor attendance or low self-esteem).11 It is therefore important that the evaluator conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine whether the intensity and frequency of reported symptoms is abnormal relative to the peer group in question, and whether these behavioural problems substantially impair the person in performing main life functions.

Furthermore, there has been much recent controversy about the “average-person standard” as a benchmark for determining the presence of cognitive disabilities in postsecondary education.12,13 This requires that an individual be substantially impaired “relative to the average person” in the population, as opposed to being impaired relative to other above-average abilities possessed by the individual himself or herself (eg, above-average intelligence but only average reading skills), or relative to those with whom the individual is being compared educationally (eg, performing less well than other medical students as opposed to all individuals in the population).12,13 In other words, the question is whether documentation must demonstrate the existence of attention impairments relative to the average person in the general population, to a person’s own general intellectual ability, or to peers at the same educational level. This becomes an issue insofar as DSOs at the postsecondary level are mandated to provide accommodations to those who have impairments that interfere substantially with their ability to perform main life functions.7–9

In Canada, no guidelines currently exist to assist professionals in determining at what point an impairment becomes disabling to an individual and how the term impairment should be used. In the United States, courts have ruled in support of both the average-person standard and the educational-peer standard for high-stakes postsecondary testing.14,15 Currently, most DSOs in Canada will provide some services for students based on comparisons with educational-appropriate peers or intrapersonal comparisons, but they prefer documentation that meets the average-person standard. If documentation does not meet this standard, fewer services will typically be provided.

Long-standing nature of symptoms

As noted above, the third criterion for diagnosis is that the disorder has been long-standing, such that the student also met diagnostic criteria in childhood. Currently, DSM-IV criteria require that the symptoms be present before age 7, but other researchers have suggested that inattentive symptoms might not be evident until later in childhood.7,16 At the very least, there must be evidence to clearly demonstrate that the symptoms existed before age 12, that they have been long-standing (ie, that they have been present consistently and chronically), and that they caused impairments in childhood functioning.

Exclusion clause

The final criterion for diagnosis, and one that is often overlooked, is that other causes for the reported symptoms must be objectively ruled out.5,17–19 Many psychiatric disorders include inattention as a common symptom, and so inattentiveness, in and of itself, is nonspecific. Inattention and concentration problems are very common in the general student population,8 and also in those who have suffered from abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder.20 Additionally, many other psychiatric disorders tend to co-occur with ADHD, and it is often the effects of these secondary disorders, rather than ADHD itself, that require more substantial academic accommodation and other supports. Frequently, ADHD is comorbid with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, and substance abuse disorders. The rate of comorbidity ranges between 20% and 50% and typically increases in adulthood, making diagnosis of ADHD even more difficult.21,22 In all cases, the diagnostician must determine which disorder is the primary cause of impairment. It is therefore critical to perform a comprehensive assessment to ensure that symptoms of inattention are in fact due to ADHD rather than another disorder. Physicians who are unfamiliar with making mental health diagnoses should consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is trained in diagnosing such disorders to assist with differential diagnosis.

Recency of documentation

Although not listed among the DSM-IV criteria, postsecondary DSOs require that disability documentation reflect the current functioning of the student. The symptoms of ADHD change and frequently become less debilitating as the person ages.23,24 Therefore, it is also necessary for students who come with a diagnosis from childhood to demonstrate that the symptoms continue to cause impairments that disable them in their current academic and other life functions.10 Consequently, documentation to demonstrate the need for academic accommodations and supports must be no more than 5 years old if conducted before the age of 18. This recent information should more accurately reflect the student’s current level of functioning and the current effects of the impairments on academic achievement. After age 18, research has not clearly demonstrated that any substantial neurological changes in cognitive or information processing occur, and therefore testing conducted after age 18 likely remain valid.25–28

Symptom exaggeration or feigning

An issue causing growing concern in the postsecondary sector is the possibility that students might feign or exaggerate symptoms of ADHD for personal gain. Recent research29–35 suggests that students might be motivated to feign ADHD in order to receive academic accommodations or other types of secondary gain such as tax benefits, access to government-funded programs and services, or even having their student loan repayments waived. Furthermore, students might be motivated to receive extra time on high-stakes testing, with the belief that this will improve their scores and give them a competitive edge over fellow students when applying to graduate school or other specialized programs.36

Another reason that students might be motivated to feign symptoms of ADHD is to access stimulant medication for illicit purposes,29,31,37 as stimulants can be ground up and inhaled or injected to produce a cocaine-like high. Recent studies show how easy it is to fake symptoms of ADHD, especially when filling out self-report checklists,32,38,39 a concern for physicians who rely exclusively on self-reports when making this diagnosis. Family physicians must therefore be aware that some students might be motivated to obtain a diagnosis of ADHD for reasons of secondary gain, and should educate themselves about ways to identify such exaggeration when it occurs. Physicians might wish to consider including multiple symptom validity measures when assessing for ADHD, as these might help identify those individuals exaggerating or feigning symptoms of this disorder.40

What is needed by postsecondary disability service providers?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not necessarily a disability; rather, it is a disorder or syndrome.41 Hence, meeting the criteria for a disorder does not necessarily imply a disability in the legal sense, and as such might not qualify a student for accommodations at the post-secondary level. Additionally, the manner in which a student demonstrates symptoms of ADHD and the circumstances under which the symptoms occur often differ among individuals,2 so there is no typical accommodation profile to deal with this condition. Furthermore, family physicians should know that simply diagnosing a student with ADHD does not, in and of itself, mean the student will receive academic accommodation. It simply confirms the presence of a disorder, which might or might not be disabling.

Owing to the inconsistencies in ADHD documentation provided by students requesting accommodations at the postsecondary level, the Consortium on ADHD Documentation collaborated with various respected professionals in order to develop Guidelines for Documentation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents and Adults.42 These guidelines outline components to be included within ADHD documentation to allow service providers to be certain that accommodations are warranted based upon the level of impairment. Since their development, the consortium’s guidelines are being used by a growing number of institutions and national testing agencies in the United States.43

Canadian disability service providers can only provide academic accommodations to students at the postsecondary level if presented with documentation supporting a formal diagnosis of a disability.44 As noted above, in order to advocate for academic accommodations, this documentation should reflect the current level of functioning of the student and verify the extent to which the disorder currently impairs academic and other main life functions. This normally requires the administration of objective tests, along with corroborating reports from multiple sources (eg, parents, teachers, significant others). If another disability is responsible for the academic impairment in question, it is important that accommodations be specifically designed to address the most pertinent causes for the observed difficulties. Documentation should also note the degree to which symptoms are causing impairment, so that suitable accommodations can be provided (eg, how much extra time is required). Finally, if stimulant medication is already being taken, it is important to document how academic functioning is still impaired while taking this medication.

Who can diagnose?

Family physicians are able to diagnose adult ADHD using all of the criteria outlined in the DSM-IV.5 However, as noted above, a diagnosis alone is not sufficient to identify what accommodations would be reasonable or equitable for a student at the postsecondary level. Disability services offices require evidence that identifies the actual level of impairment experienced secondary to a diagnosed disability. Family physicians typically do not administer any objective, standardized tests of function to document the degree to which ADHD is impairing academic achievement, or evaluate the extent to which medication has improved attention or school-work. Many physicians use response to medication as a means of supporting ADHD diagnosis; however, stimulant medication has been shown to improve working memory and attention in healthy subjects as well as impaired individuals.45 Hence, even with a medical diagnosis of ADHD from a family physician, the DSO still does not know how the condition affects the student at school, which accommodations to provide (if any), or the types of technology that might help to address any cognitive impairments caused by ADHD. Ideally, accommodations should be tailored to the needs of the individual student.46 This can only be accomplished if sufficient documentation is provided to indicate specific areas of functioning that are being affected, along with the causes of impairment. Faraone et al47 found that primary care physicians were more likely than psychiatrists to seek outside consultation before making a diagnosis of ADHD in adults; however, only 15% of these individuals made referrals to other professionals for testing.

Registered psychological service providers (practitioners with doctoral or master’s degrees, depending on provincial guidelines) have specific tests to evaluate how the disorder is impairing academic functioning relative to what would be expected based on intelligence; if previously prescribed medication improves ability to process information and pay attention (using standardized tests); whether other psychological conditions or disorders might better explain the reported symptoms; if symptom exaggeration or feigning is occurring; and if academic accommodations are warranted on the basis of obtained test scores. Psychometric testing of this sort is typically necessary to allow students with ADHD full access to disability services. Many students arrive at university or college with only brief physicians’ notes as documentation of ADHD. With such minimal documentation, disability service providers are able to justify only limited, interim services.

Recommendations

Family physicians can now access Web-based support and information to aid in diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD (eg, Canadian Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Resource Alliance guidelines,48 ADHD consortium resources42). It is important for primary health care providers to be aware of the pitfalls in diagnosis of adult ADHD and to recognize that diagnosis alone does not guarantee accommodations at the postsecondary level. Owing to variation in the way that ADHD can affect students’ performance, reports from qualified specialists are required to provide definitive information on which to base accommodations. Based on the complexity of ADHD diagnosis, as well as the types of information that disability service providers require in order to implement appropriate accommodations for students diagnosed with ADHD, it is advised that physicians refer students who wish to receive accommodations to psychological service providers within their communities. In Ontario, provincially funded assessment centres, such as the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre and the Northern Ontario Assessment and Resource Centre, are available to assist such students by providing comprehensive assessments that include neuropsychological tests to help identify specific cognitive processes responsible for reported impairments. Furthermore, the fee for such assessments is geared to income, assuring that all students can obtain appropriate investigation of their symptoms. In other provinces, staff at the DSOs will be able to advise students about the best ways to access appropriate assessment services in the community and whether bursaries or other subsidies are available to offset the cost of such testing. By providing evidence for the cognitive underpinnings of specific impairments, disability documentation will properly inform service providers about which accommodations are reasonable and necessary, and will help determine to what degree these accommodations should be implemented.

Notes

EDITOR’S KEY POINTS

  • Despite the fact that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms become less debilitating with age, research estimates that about 20% of disabled college students are diagnosed with ADHD, and postsecondary institutions have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of students presenting to disability services offices with a diagnosis of ADHD from their family physicians.

  • This article reviews the challenges facing clinicians, physicians, and disability services staff when determining which, if any, accommodations should be provided at the postsecondary level to students diagnosed with ADHD.

  • It is important for primary health care providers to be aware of the pitfalls in diagnosis of adult ADHD, and to recognize that diagnosis alone does not guarantee accommodations at the postsecondary level.

POINTS DE REPÈRE DU RÉDACTEUR

  • En dépit du fait que le trouble d’hyperactivité avec déficit de l’attention (THADA) devient moins incapacitant avec l’âge, les recherches donnent à croire qu’environ 20 % des étudiants de niveau collégial ayant une incapacité ont reçu un diagnostic de THADA, et les établissements postsecondaires ont vu une hausse dramatique des étudiants qui se présentent aux bureaux des services aux personnes ayant une incapacité avec un diagnostic du THADA posé par leur médecin de famille.

  • Dans cet article, on présente les défis que rencontrent les cliniciens, les médecins et le personnel des services aux personnes déficientes quand ils doivent déterminer les accommodements à accorder ou refuser aux étudiants du niveau postsecondaire ayant un diagnostic du THADA.

  • Il importe que les professionnels des soins de santé primaires connaissent les pièges que pose un diagnostic du THADA chez l’adulte et reconnaissent qu’un diagnostic à lui seul ne garantit pas l’octroi d’accommodements au niveau postsecondaire.

Footnotes

  • This article has been peer reviewed.

  • Cet article a fait l’objet d’une révision par des pairs.

  • Contributors

    Both authors contributed to the literature search and to preparing the article.

  • Competing interests

    None declared

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ADHD documentation for students requesting accommodations at the postsecondary level
Allyson G. Harrison, Yontanan Rosenblum
Canadian Family Physician Aug 2010, 56 (8) 761-765;
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