Traumatic Brain Injury
Disability Documentation
(Trauma to the brain resulting from cerebral vascular accidents, tumors, or other medical conditions)
Students requesting accommodations on the basis of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or brain insult must provide documentation by a neuropsychologist. The documentation must include:
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Thorough neuropsychological evaluation, including assessment of the areas of attention, visuoperception/visual reasoning, language, academic skills, memory/learning, executive function, sensory, motor, and emotional status. Data should include subtest scores and percentiles.
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Evidence of current impairment. A history of the individual’s presenting symptoms and evidence of behaviors that significantly impair functioning.
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A diagnostic interview. The interview must contain self-report and third-party information pertaining to developmental history, family history, learning or psychological difficulties, relevant medical history, and a thorough academic history.
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Evidence of alternative diagnoses or explanations ruled out. The documentation must investigate and discuss the possibility of dual diagnoses and alternative or coexisting mood, learning, behavioral, and/or personality disorders that may confound the diagnosis.
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A specific psychological diagnosis as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – IV (DSM-IV).
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A clinical summary which:
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(a) indicates the substantial limitations to major life activities posed by the disability,
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(b) describes the extent to which these limitations would impact the academic context for which accommodations are being requested,
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(c) suggests how the specific effects of the disability may be accommodated, and
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(d) states how the effects of the disability are mediated by the recommended accommodations.
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Additional Supporting Materials
Additional supporting materials may include the following:
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Records of accommodations/services provided to you at any previous academic settings (e.g., IEP, Section 504 plan, college service plan, etc.).
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Record of accommodations provided for any national standardized exams (e.g., ACT, SAT, GRE, LSAT, etc.).