BASIC (01-01)

A. Policy - general

We will evaluate the effects of your treatment to determine its effect on your functioning in your particular case.

B. Policy - effects of medications

We will consider the effects of medication on your symptoms, signs, laboratory findings, and functioning. Although medications may control the most obvious manifestations of your impairment(s), they may or may not affect the functional limitations imposed by your impairment(s). If your symptoms or signs are reduced by medications, we will consider:

1. Any of your functional limitations that may nevertheless persist, even if there is improvement from the medications;

2. Whether your medications create any side effects that cause or contribute to your functional limitations;

3. The frequency of your need for medication;

4. Changes in your medication or the way your medication is prescribed; and

5. Any evidence over time of how medication helps or does not help you to function compared to other children your age who do not have impairments.

C. Policy - other treatment

We will also consider the level and frequency of treatment other than medications that you get for your impairment(s). You may need frequent and ongoing therapy from one or more medical sources to maintain or improve your functional status. (Examples of therapy include occupational, physical, or speech and language therapy, nursing or home health services, psychotherapy, or psychosocial counseling.) Frequent therapy, although intended to improve your functioning in some ways, may also interfere with your functioning in other ways. Therefore, we will consider the frequency of any therapy you must have, and how long you have received or will need it. We will also consider whether the therapy interferes with your participation in activities typical of other children your age who do not have impairments, such as attending school or classes and socializing with your peers. If you must frequently interrupt your activities at school or at home for therapy, we will consider whether these interruptions interfere with your functioning. We will also consider the length and frequency of your hospitalizations.

D. Policy - treatment and intervention, in general

With treatment or intervention, you may not only have your symptoms or signs reduced, but may also maintain, return to, or achieve a level of functioning that is not disabling. Treatment or intervention may prevent, eliminate, or reduce functional limitations.