What to document for Intellectual Disability
Organize disability evidence for testing, school records, adaptive functioning, and support needs.
| Evidence area | What makes the record more useful |
|---|---|
| Testing | Keep dated testing results and the provider interpretation, not only a reference to the test. |
| School Records | Put school records in date order and identify what question the record helps answer. |
| Adaptive Functioning | Connect adaptive functioning to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
| Support Needs | Connect support needs to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
How Intellectual Disability 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 Intellectual Disability
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 testing records cover the period SSA is reviewing?
- Do the records explain school records with enough detail to show frequency or severity?
- How does support needs affect the claimant's past job duties or reliable attendance?
- What recent record has not yet been added to the disability file?