Opinion ID: 2978672
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Adaptive-skills limitations

Text: The adaptive skills prong evaluates a claimant’s effectiveness in areas such as social skills, communication skills, and daily-living skills. Heller v. Doe, 509 U.S. 312, 329 (1993) (quoting Am. Psychiatric Ass’n, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 28-29 (3d rev. ed. 1987) (“DSM-III”)). To determine the definition of mental retardation under the SSA, it is appropriate to consult leading professional organizations’ definitions. See 67 Fed. Reg. 20022 (2002). The American Psychiatric Association defines adaptive-skills limitations as “[c]oncurrent deficits or impairments . . . in at least two of the following areas: communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health, and safety.” DSM-IV-TR at 49. No part of the record indicates that Hayes has adaptive-skills limitations. To the contrary, the record shows that Hayes’s adaptive skills are not deficient. She cares for herself and her husband; cooks meals, does laundry, and shops; manages her finances; and takes public transportation. All of these daily living skills indicate that, even with further testing, she would not be able to establish this necessary prong. Thus, it was not an abuse of discretion for the ALJ to deny her request for consultative intelligence testing.