KEVIN W. POWERS, Ph.D. CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC SUCCESS PSYCHOLOGIST CENTER FOR HEALTH AND COUNSELING Student Assessment & The ADA

Counseling Services’ Task Recognize the presence of a disorder Recognize the presence of a disability Recognize the need for, and identify appropriate accommodations

Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder The presence of a disorder is indentified by the presence of symptoms, duration of symptoms, and experience of impairment in life functioning Diagnostic criteria are standardized in the DSM- IV-TR (the standard diagnostic system used in the field of psychology)

Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder Examples of Diagnoses Associated with Hidden Disabilities include: o Reading Disorder o Math Disorder o Disorder of Written Expression o Learning Disorder, NOS o ADHD o Anxiety Disorders o Developmental Disorders

Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder Counseling Services Evaluation o Standard evaluation for hidden disability includes both clinical interviews and formal assessments to assess the presence, nature, and severity of symptoms

Recognizing the Presence of a Disorder Counseling Services Evaluation, cont. o Students are screened for several areas of personal and academic functioning to rule out alternative explanations for difficulties o Not all referrals are diagnosed with disability

Recognizing the Presence of a Disability Changes resulting from the ADAAA have resulted in more inclusive criteria for identifying those with a disability Diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient. The presence of a disability must also be demonstrated Consistent hx of diagnosis and/or accommodations should be considered

Recognizing the Presence of a Disability Of note for Counseling Services evaluation is the removal of treatment measures in determining whether someone has a disability Grades are not the standard representation of whether a disability exists or not

Recognize the Need for Appropriate Accommodations Less documentation required for licensure and certification testing that previously needed Consideration of clinical and field based components of learning

Counseling Services Information Center for Health and Counseling 1034 Harper Center (402)