What you have to prove
Medical documentation of one or more of the listed neurodevelopmental criteria (frequent distractibility, difficulty maintaining attention, recurrent motor movement, significant difficulties learning and using academic skills), AND Paragraph B functional limitations.
Medical evidence SSA expects
Psychiatric evaluations, school IEP/504 records, neuropsychological testing, and teacher/employer observations.
Common misconceptions
ADHD alone in adults rarely qualifies — SSA looks for broader functional impairment. Severe Tourette's or profound learning disorders combined with other impairments qualify more readily.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.