Policy on Documentation of Learning Disabilities

In order to receive appropriate academic support services in the classroom, the student must have a clearly diagnosed and documented learning disability. It is the student's responsibility to secure documentation. The University of Alaska Southeast is not responsible for provision of diagnostic services to prospective or currently enrolled students. Recent and appropriate documentation, which addresses the student’s current level of functioning, is required. Documentation should be from a school psychologist, clinical or educational psychologist, neuropsychologist, or other qualified professional who diagnosed the learning disability.

The documentation should include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. A measure of Aptitude
   A measure of intellectual assessment (e.g., Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised [WAIS-R]; Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery - Revised: Tests of Cognitive Ability; Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test;
   Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale [4th ed.])
2. A measure of Information Processing
   A measure of information processing (e.g., Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery - Revised: Tests of Cognitive Ability; Detroit Tests of Learning Aptitude-3 [DTLA-3]; Detroit Tests of Learning Aptitude - Adult [DTLA-A]; information from subtests on WAIS-R)
3. A measure of Academic Achievement
   A measure of academic achievement (e.g., Scholastic Abilities Test for Adults [SATA]; Stanford Test of Academic Skills; Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery - Revised: Tests of Achievement; Wechsler Individual Achievement Test [WIAT]; or specific achievement tests such as: Nelson-Denny Reading Skills Test; Stanford Diagnostic Mathematics Test; Test of Written Language - 3 [TOWL-3]; Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests - Revised)
4. Specific diagnosis.
5. Description of assessment procedures, evaluation instruments, and a narrative summary, including all test scores, which support the diagnosis.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Documentation

Many people suspect they have some type of learning disability and may wish to be tested. As stated above, UAS is not responsible for providing diagnostic testing; however, DSS can provide names of qualified professionals who conduct appropriate testing. Screening tests: Screening tests, such as Slingerland and Scotopic Sensitivity screenings, are not accepted by DSS as documentation of a learning disability. While these screening tools may indicate a person has some learning difficulties and needs further testing, screening tests are not considered documentation of a learning disability.