Documentation Guidelines for Traumatic Brain Injury
Muhlenberg College students with diagnosed disabilities are eligible for protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) (revised in 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended). The ADA Amendments Act 2008 retains the definition of a "disability" as (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; (b) a record of such an impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment.
Students requesting accommodations, auxiliary aids, and/or services based on a diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), are required to submit documentation from an appropriately qualified professional who verifies the presence of a condition that rises to the level of a disability and confirms the need for reasonable accommodations based on the diagnosed condition. The professional conducting the assessment must be considered qualified to evaluate and diagnose TBI. TBI involves the disruption of normal brain function as a result of exposure to an external physical force. Due to the complexity of TBI, the documentation must be current (within six months of entering college) to establish current functional limitations.
Students requesting accommodations based on a qualifying diagnosis must submit current, detailed documentation from an appropriately qualified or licensed healthcare professional who is:
- qualified to diagnosis the condition and is currently or recently associated with the student in a healthcare professional/patient relationship
- familiar with the challenges and functional limitations of the condition and possible impact on access to the college environment
- an impartial evaluator or diagnostician who is not a family member nor in a dual relationship with the student
- qualified to verify the presence of a condition that rises to the level of a disability and confirms the need for reasonable accommodations based on the diagnosed condition.
The Evaluation must include:
- submission on professional letterhead with the date of the evaluation/report, signature, title, and professional credentials
- a summary of assessment procedures, standardized assessment measures, and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis
- the history of presenting symptoms (date and cause of injury) and present conditions, including the frequency, intensity, and duration in various settings and activities
- evidence that TBI symptoms currently meet the DSM-5 or ICD criteria (International Classification of Diseases), including type, severity, current impairments, effects of medications, and current treatment approaches
- results of neuropsychological or psychoeducational assessments, if applicable
- information regarding the significant impact the diagnosed condition will have on a major life function, including those expected for post-secondary experience
- recommended accommodations clearly linked to the evaluative information with a discussion and rationale for each accommodation.
