TN 23 (09-20)

DI 22510.047 Pediatric Consultative Examination (CE) Report Content Guidelines for Neurological Disorders

Use the following guidelines to provide the minimum content in a CE report for a child disability case. Each Disability Determination Service (DDS) will notify medical sources of any additional requirements.

A. General guidelines for the CE report content for pediatric neurological disorders

The CE report content guidelines in this section are in addition to the general pediatric CE report content guidelines in DI 22510.035. For additional CE policy in a child’s case, also see DI 25205.015.

B. Report content specific to pediatric neurological disorders

The CE provider will use the specific requirements below to complete the CE report for a neurological disorder.

1. Current medical history

The CE provider will describe and discuss, as appropriate:

  1. a. 

    Use of assistive devices(s) or brace(s) being used, when they are used, and who prescribed their use;

  2. b. 

    Complete description of seizures including type and severity, aura, behavior prior to seizure, diurnal or nocturnal, frequency per month during the past year, duration of episodes, postictal phenomena, and date of last three seizures;

  3. c. 

    Cognitive impairment;

  4. d. 

    For children under age 6, a history of developmental milestones;

  5. e. 

    Motor weakness;

  6. f. 

    Sensory aberrations;

  7. g. 

    Problems with speech;

  8. h. 

    Problems with swallowing;

  9. i. 

    Problems with voiding and defecation; and

  10. j. 

    Headaches including known triggers, frequency, length and response to treatment.

2. Physical examination

The CE provider will describe and discuss, as appropriate:

  1. a. 

    Hand dominance;

  2. b. 

    Cranial nerve evaluation, including the ability to fix and follow for vision;

  3. c. 

    Motor strength and how tested, reflexes, muscle bulk, and tone;

  4. d. 

    For children who cannot participate in muscle strength testing, record observations of abilities such as rolling over, sitting, pulling, and standing;

  5. e. 

    Abnormal movements;

  6. f. 

    Gait and fine motor coordination;

  7. g. 

    Sensation and how tested;

  8. h. 

    Assistive device(s) or brace(s) brought to examination with description and opinion regarding its medical necessity;

  9. i. 

    Mental status examination: details about the mental status examination, as appropriate based on child's age; and

  10. j. 

    Speech functioning, including:

    1. 1. 

      Intelligibility and fluency;

    2. 2. 

      Aphasia;

    3. 3. 

      Dysarthria;

    4. 4. 

      Stuttering; and

    5. 5. 

      Involuntary vocalizations.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0422510047
DI 22510.047 - Pediatric Consultative Examination (CE) Report Content Guidelines for Neurological Disorders - 10/06/2016
Batch run: 09/25/2020
Rev:10/06/2016