For APD to begin the eligibility process, please submit diagnosis documentation along with the application. Please note that the Quick Guide: Applying for APD Services is a reference only and not an exhaustive list. If necessary, APD may request additional information or documentation in order to complete your application.

Developmental Disability Diagnosis

Documentation

Licensed Professionals

Applicants applying under intellectual disability

Must provide one or more of each of the following to support a diagnosis. Please provide all testing and documentation you have available:

  • Diagnostic testing
  • Adaptive testing
  • Collateral documents

Diagnostic Testing Examples:
Standardized tests may be submitted as proof of an intellectual disability. The following are presumptively accepted standardized tests of intelligence to establish eligibility for an intellectual disability. The applicant must demonstrate that any test not presumptively accepted by the Agency is valid.

  • Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test (all ages)
  • Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (under 6 years of age)
  • Differential Ability Scales – Preschool Edition (under 6 years of age)
  • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) (children up to 15 years, 11 months)
  • Differential Ability Scales (children up to 15 years, 11 months)
  • Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
  • Test of Nonverbal Intelligence
  • Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence
  • Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT)
  • Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised

Adaptive Testing Examples:

  • Vineland
  • Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS)
  • AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scale
  • Adaptive Behavior Evaluation Scale (ABES)
  • Skills of Independent Behavior - Revised

Collateral Documentation Examples:

  • School records, such as Individualized Education Plans and achievement testing
  • Medical or therapeutic documentation of intellectual disability

In all cases, assessments or evaluations for eligibility should be obtained from appropriately licensed professionals with experience and training in the instruments and population for whom eligibility is to be determined.

For adaptive testing:
The performance measures for this category of adaptive functioning deficits must be validated by the professional judgment of a psychologist who is experienced in working with people who have retardation, who has specific training and validation in the assessment instrument that is used, and who is one of the following:

  • A Florida-licensed psychologist
  • A Florida-licensed school psychologist
  • A certified school psychologist

Back