No matter what category you apply under, turn in every document that shows your diagnosis or condition, how severe it is, how it affects your functioning, and what treatment you need because of it. Documents may include:

• Psychological evaluations that show your condition and diagnosis
• Results of adaptive skills (daily living skills) testing
• Medical records, school records, your work history, Social Security records, and other documents that show your diagnosis
• Other documents that describe you and your skills, like your work or learning skills, or the way you do things at home
• Letters from family members and neighbors that describe you.

School records can help if the school district has done its own psychological evaluations. Individual Education Programs (IEPs) show your disability-related school needs. Remember that school evaluations may not be as detailed as other psychological evaluations. Schools use different standards to determine needs. They test for certain reasons besides getting a diagnosis. Schools may not use the same tests as an independent psychologist who is trying to find your overall diagnosis or condition.

The regional center may ask you to sign releases so they can gather your records from other agencies. Sign them, but we recommend you collect documents and give copies of useful information to the regional center. Do not depend on the regional center to gather these documents for you.