Maladies of the mind can often be as serious or life-crippling as any physical injury, but often, these mental difficulties or disorders can be diagnosed and managed with today’s medical knowledge and assistance programs. Neuropsychological conditions vary, and some of the more recognized ones often have testing, diagnoses, medication, therapy, and other accommodations available for patients who have them. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and autism are some of the most common conditions to meet these criteria. Academia and workplaces can often work with them, and the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is no different. LSAT accommodations may be available for individuals who need them.

Cognitive Assessment and Prevalence

More people with mental conditions or disorders exist than some may realize, and these conditions are not always as debilitating as some may think. An estimate puts the total American adult population with dyslexia at 40 million, but only about two million are even aware of their condition. ADHD is also a common condition; an estimated 6.4 million Americans under age 17 have been diagnosed, and among them, boys are three times more likely to receive this diagnosis, with 13.2% of boys having the diagnosis to 5.6% of girls. In adults, ADHD may also present anxiety disorders in up to 50% of patients.

Autism is another common condition, and one that is not always accurately understood. The rate of diagnoses has recently grown for this condition, with a government survey showing that 1 in 45 children, ages three to 17, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. Often, the symptoms present themselves by age two, and as with ADHD, boys are about three times more likely to have a diagnosis than girls. Autism is in fact a spectrum, and patients may be higher functioning (need minimal assistance) or lower functioning (need more assistance and may be totally dependent on others). Social difficulties, narrow and intense interests, repetitive motor behavior, sensory issues, and anger issues can all be symptomatic of autism, although higher functioning patients may be more capable of hiding their symptoms from others. As a whole, LSAT accommodations can be made for patients of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

Getting Help

Professional testing and diagnoses are helpful for identifying and managing these conditions, and a proper diagnosis can give a patient access to accommodations in the workplace or academia, or even daily life. Specialized rehab services may be available, anything from educational assistance (such as funding) or aid in finding employment or housing can be offered for diagnoses patients. Autism testing can be done for someone of any age who showed symptoms, from a toddler to an older adult or anyone in between. Neuropsychological evaluation can also be done for someone presenting ADHD symptoms such as aggression, impulsivity, a short attention span, difficulty focusing, or mood swings. LSAT accommodations could possibly be made for such a patient as well, and adult ADD testing (attention deficit disorder) can help anyone 18 or over manage their conditions while trying to get into law school. Accommodations could vary, anything from taking a test alone in a room to softer lighting and strict climate control. Patients with autism may be greatly stressed by a roomful of people and the collective noises of pens or pencils being used, or may say or do socially inappropriate things without realizing it and thus disrupt the testing process. ADHD or ADD accommodations could also place the student in a room alone so the other test takers do not distract him or her, and any potential outbursts from the student will not disrupt others.