Learning Disorder

Learning Disorders may be a qualifying condition for children under the age of 18 for receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). He or she must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability for children, and his or her income and resources must fall within the eligibility limits.

In the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security manual (also known as the Blue Book), The Social Security Administration classifies the following learning disorders as Mental Disorders:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

He or she must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability for children, and his or her income and resources must fall within the eligibility limits.

ADHD is manifested by developmentally inappropriate degrees of inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. When evaluating individual cases, the SSA looks for medically documented findings of all three of the following:

• Marked inattention
• Marked impulsiveness
• Marked hyperactivity

Autism:

He or she must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability for children, and his or her income and resources must fall within the eligibility limits.

Autistic Disorder and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders is a qualitative deficit in the development of reciprocal social interaction, in the development of verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and in imaginative activity.

When evaluating individual Autism cases, the SSA looks for medically documented findings of all three of the following:

• Qualitative deficits in the development of reciprocal social interaction
• Qualitative deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication and in imaginative activity
• Markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interests

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):

He or she must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability for children, and his or her income and resources must fall within the eligibility limits.

When evaluating individual Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) cases, the SSA evaluates if the impairment results in “marked and severe functional limitations.” They focus first on the child’s activities and evaluate how appropriately, effectively, and independently the child functions compared to children of the same age who do not have impairments. They consider what activities the child cannot do, has difficulty doing, needs help doing, or is restricted from doing because of the impairment.

The SSA then evaluates the effects of a child’s impairment(s) by rating the degree to which the impairment(s) limits functioning in six “domains.” Domains are broad areas of functioning intended to capture all of what a child can or cannot do. They use the following six domains:

• Acquiring and using information
• Attending and completing tasks
• Interacting and relating with others
• Moving about and manipulating objects
• Caring for yourself
• Health and physical well-being

At the Law Offices of Harold W. Conick & Associates Ltd., we are experienced in handling children’s social security disability claims related to learning disorders. We understand what the SSA is looking for when evaluating claims, and are here to be your tough advocates regardless of the level of your appeal. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today at 800-608-8881.