What to document for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Organize disability evidence for communication, social functioning, routines, support needs, and work adaptation.
| Evidence area | What makes the record more useful |
|---|---|
| Communication | Connect communication to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
| Social Functioning | Connect social functioning to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
| Routines | Document routines with dates, source records, and a short explanation of why it matters to the current disability issue. |
| Support Needs | Connect support needs to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
| Work Adaptation | Connect work adaptation to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
How Autism Spectrum Disorder affects work function
Describe function in concrete terms that match this condition and the person's actual work history. Useful records may address reliability, pace, attendance, safety, physical tolerance, communication, concentration, or adaptation depending on the symptoms documented in the file.
- Use examples from treatment records and daily activity rather than a diagnosis label alone.
- Identify how often a limitation occurs and how long recovery takes.
- Separate limitations caused by this condition from other impairments when the records allow it.
- Explain treatment gaps, side effects, or inconsistent findings instead of ignoring them.
SSA medical sources for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Listing of Impairments is one part of disability evaluation. A claim can also turn on the combined medical record, residual functional capacity, past work, and other steps in Social Security's evaluation process.
Questions before an appeal or hearing
- Which communication records cover the period SSA is reviewing?
- Do the records explain social functioning with enough detail to show frequency or severity?
- How does work adaptation affect the claimant's past job duties or reliable attendance?
- What recent record has not yet been added to the disability file?