Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that causes inattentiveness and hyperactivity. ADHD is not among the conditions listed under the mental health problems described in the Social Security Administration’s listing of impairments for adults. It is not typical that an adult would be considered disabled on the basis of ADHD or ADHD alone. However, the symptoms of ADHD can be considered together with other mental health issues to contribute to limitations of function such as difficulty with concentration. For instance, if a person suffers from both depression and ADHD, the interruptions to concentration caused by both conditions can be considered as compounding each other. A treating psychiatrist would need to acknowledge that is the case. Also, it is possible that if a person has ADHD that is severe enough their condition could be considered as meeting or equaling the listing for another mental health condition.

ADHD is listed under the SSA’s listing of impairments for children. Parents can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD if the parents are financially qualified. SSI is a means based program, which means a family must have low income and low resources in order to be qualified. However, the child must be suffering from ADHD to a certain degree of severity for the child to be considered disabled. The child must suffer from severe inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that results in at least two of the following: cognitive or communicative functions, social functioning, personal functioning, or concentration, persistence, or pace. This limitations must be supported by ample medical documentation and school records. It is most important that the documentation include reports from the teacher that the child suffers from the symptoms listed above to a severe degree. It is unusual for a child to be considered disabled on the basis of ADHD without ample documentation of the severity of the child’s condition.

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