[Miswimmy1]

My therapist told me that if i wanted accommodations on the SAT or in college, I would have to be officially diagnosed. She diagnosed me with OCD and ADHD and i have been on medication for a while now. I thought that was official? She is a PHD. What does "officially" mean?

[Perna]

You have to be approved by the SAT, through your school, etc.: SAT Testing - SSD - SAT With Testing Accomodations

I know that my son is served in school through special education as a student with Other Health Impairment (OHI) as diagnosed with ADHD. He has received services and educational accommodations for ADHD (as well as several other impairments throughout his schooling. Because he has current diagnostic testing and congruent educational accommodations in school, he will qualify for testing accommodations on SAT and ACT, as well as accommodations when he enters college. I believe current 504 accommodations also can meet those qualifications.

Generally, there must be record of current educational accommodations to qualify or testing accommodations, but I don't know the ins and outs of those rules. I would expect you can find information about this through your school's testing coordinator or counselor. You might try searching through the College Board website for information also.

[wotchermuggle]

During college, you should be able to go to your school's counselling services and register with disability services. They would help you with getting extra time/moving exams to a quiet location, etc. type of stuff.

[ultramar]

I think that although technically psychologists can diagnose (because they do have to put a diagnosis on the paperwork to be reimbursed by insurance) it is not considered 'official' unless and until it is done by a psychiatrist.

I believe the most thorough evaluation is the neuropsychological evaluation, which are conducted by experts in administering these tests. It takes several hours. This would make it official (and as I say, probably from a regular psychiatrist as well).

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Actually, it has to be documented that you have a disability and that you need accommodations. Just because you have a diagnosis, it does not mean it affects your work or your school.
Not all diagnoses are disabilities! ADHD is, but you have to be tested to see how it affects you, personally.

Since you are in high school, your school might be able to do the testing, otherwise it costs per hour and is usually done at an educational testing facility, with a variety of different professionals.
Can cost several hundred dollars per hour.

This is a good article that mentions ADHD and the types of individuals who conduct the tests to determine if you have a disability.

Learning Disabilities: Types of Disorders and Getting Help

[Syra]

I would go to the school counselor or social worker. That's one of the things they are there for (supposedly, hopefluly). We got testing accommodations for our son based on testing by the school - probably a psychologist, maybe an educational psychologist. Definitely not a psychiatrist. They can figure out what paperwork is needed and who is acceptable to do what. Good luck.

[sunrise]

I got accommodations by having my psychiatric nurse practitioner fill out a form the college provided to document that I had ADHD and what sorts of accommodations would help me. She had to choose from a list that included things like a quiet room for the test, additional time to take tests, etc. It was an efficient process and just required one form from her and I think she sent in some of my test results too. She charges only about $150 per hour so for me it wasn't as expensive as some have said. I did see her regularly for meds, though, so we had an ongoing relationship. If it is your therapist who has diagnosed you and given you the tests, then probably she could do the paperwork for your school. When my therapist suspected I might have ADHD, he wouldn't diagnose it, though, but sent me to the psychiatric nurse practitioner. I think some therapists don't have the training to make an ADHD diagnosis, so you can probably just ask yours if she is qualified to do the paperwork for you. If not, she can probably refer you to someone who can help. What about the person who prescribes your medication? Could he/she do the "official" paperwork for you?