Symptoms You Can Document for Your ADHD Disability Benefits Claim
The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a list of health impairments that can qualify for disability benefits. Their list also gives details of the kinds of medical evidence you need to submit for each condition.
The SSA addresses attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in its listing for “neurodevelopmental disorders.”
These are examples of symptoms they will consider:
- Visual perception problems
- Memory problems
- Impulse control difficulty
- High sensitivity to frustration
- Poor control of movement
- Poor verbal control
- Difficulty organizing various aspects of life
- Learning deficits
- Recurring accidents with injury
- Social skill deficits
To demonstrate that the degree of your symptoms is serious enough to get disability benefits, you’ll need to submit documents from psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, social workers and other care providers you’ve seen.
This evidence includes reports that come out of your mental health care:
- Examinations
- Testing
- Interviews
- Psychological rating
- Measures of your functioning
- Observations of your speech and movement
- Medical imaging
- Laboratory tests
- Medications you take
- Effects of your medications
- Detailed descriptions of your therapy program
- How your mental health has changed over time
- How long your symptoms can be expected to last
- Statements from people who know you
Compiling all of this information is a lot of work. But the work doesn’t have to be all on you.
Social Security Disability lawyers know what kinds of information you need for a successful disability benefits claim for ADHD and, and how to present that information to Social Security.
Having a disability attorney lightens the burden on you, and you pay no fee for a disability attorney until you win benefits.
You can start with a free initial evaluation from the Oregon disability lawyers at Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor.
Another Path to Disability for ADHD: Your Everyday Functioning
Even though Social Security maintains a list as a guide to many health conditions that count for disability benefits, you’re not required to have one of those conditions to get benefits.
And you can have multiple physical or mental health conditions, not just a certain one.
The true qualification is how your health limitations including ADHD and any others—in any combination—limit your ability to function well enough to hold a job.
Social Security uses a measure called “residual functional capacity” or RFC to decide what you can and can’t do. Your RFC is the most you can do despite your health problems.
For mental conditions, Social Security looks at how your health care providers assess you on these kinds of areas:
- Understanding instructions
- Remembering information
- Carrying out instructions
- Ability to concentrate
- Working well with coworkers
- Working well with supervisors
- Handling pressure in a work settings
- Physical stamina
RFC can also consider physical abilities measured by medical doctors like standing, walking, sitting for long periods, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, crouching and more.
Your strategy for getting disability for ADHD could include showing how your ADHD combines with other health problems and that your residual functional capacity demonstrates you can’t work.
Your disability lawyer can help you build your best argument for benefits that improve your life.
Disability income lets you to get on better footing while you manage your ADHD.
We’re with You Every Step of the Way
Whether you’re trying to determine if you’re qualified for disability benefits, you need help filing your application, or you received a denial notice and want another chance, our law firm helps from the beginning and stays by your side.
Have a Question about Disability Benefits?
Your health is bad. You can’t work. Your financial stability is threatened. So your head is swimming with questions. How will you get by? How does Social Security Disability work? We’ve gathered answers. See them here:
Disability FAQs »
Hear from a Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor Client
“(My lawyer) did a great job getting my case ready, and the court settled in my favor. I highly recommend Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor.”
