TN 3 (03-05)

Citations:20 CFR 416.913, 416.924a(a), 416.928

A. Policy

1. General

The policy guidance in DI 22505.001 about what constitutes evidence, acceptable medical sources, and other sources of evidence, among other things, applies to title XVI childhood disability claims.

2. Provide Assistance

Every reasonable effort should be made to provide assistance to the child, his or her parents, guardians, or other person acting on the child's behalf, in order to document the case record as to the child's medical history and functioning. In some cases, this will require working with the child, his or her parents, extended family, child welfare agencies and others to obtain the needed medical and other evidence. See DI 25205.020 regarding certain special efforts and modifications (to the adult failure issue policies and procedures) that are required in children’s cases.

3. Child Unable To Describe Symptoms (from Section 416.928)

If a child is unable to adequately describe his or her symptom(s), accept as a statement of the symptoms the description given by the person who is most familiar with the child, such as a parent, other relative, or guardian. Of course, the child's statements alone (or those of another person) are not enough to establish that there is a medically determinable impairment. See DI 25205.005.

4. Discrepancies Between Test Results and Child’s Usual Functioning

Whenever possible, a medical source's findings should reflect consideration of information about a child’s usual functioning from parents or other individuals who know the child. Any discrepancy between formal test results and information about the child's usual functioning should be noted and the case record documented as to the resolution of the discrepancy.