Skip to content
SSAHelper.org

Social Security disability for neurodevelopmental disorder: Blue Book listing 112.11

Listing 112.11 is the SSA Blue Book criteria SSA uses for neurodevelopmental disorder childhood disability claims. Meeting it at step 3 of the disability evaluation approves the claim without further analysis of past work or other jobs in the national economy. This page covers what SSA looks for, the medical evidence the criteria require, and what happens if your records don't quite match.

Listing code

112.11

Children (Part B)

Body system

112.00

Mental disorders (children)

Subsections

0

No lettered criteria

Step in evaluation

3 of 5

Listing match approves the claim

SSA listing text and criteria

Neurodevelopmental disorders (see 112.00B9 ), for children age 3 to attainment of age 18, satisfied by A and B: Medical documentation of the requirements of paragraph 1, 2, or 3: One or both of the following: Frequent distractibility, difficulty sustaining attention, and difficulty organizing tasks; or Hyperactive and impulsive behavior (for example, difficulty remaining seated, talking excessively, difficulty waiting, appearing restless, or behaving as if being "driven by a motor"). Significant difficulties learning and using academic skills; or Recurrent motor movement or vocalization. AND Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 112.00F ): Understand, remember, or apply information (see 112.00E1 ). Interact with others (see 112.00E2 ). Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (see 112.00E3 ). Adapt or manage oneself (see 112.00E4 ).

This listing has no lettered subsections. The diagnosis itself, supported by the medical evidence described in the body-system overview, is what SSA evaluates.

Source: SSA Blue Book listing 112.11. Last synced 2026-05-04.

Where claims under 112.11 usually fail

One failure mode is stopping after symptoms like frequent distractibility, difficulty sustaining attention, or difficulty organizing tasks, without proving the "extreme" and "marked" limitations in the required mental functioning areas. Another is treating hyperactive and impulsive behavior as sufficient by itself, without documenting the qualifying mental functioning limitations in understand, remember, apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, maintain pace; or adapt, manage oneself. A third problem is focusing on learning difficulties or recurrent motor movement or vocalization without showing the required level of limitation across the mental functioning areas. A fourth issue is mixing the age group up with listings that are not for ages 3 through 18, since 112.11 is for children in that age range.

Medical evidence that strengthens this claim

Medical documentation needs to support the requirements of paragraph 1, 2, or 3 and the mental functioning limits in the four areas referenced in the criteria: understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt, manage oneself. The symptom side of the criteria includes frequent distractibility, difficulty sustaining attention, and difficulty organizing tasks, or hyperactive and impulsive behavior examples like difficulty remaining seated, talking excessively, difficulty waiting, appearing restless, or behaving as if driven by a motor. The learning side can include significant difficulties learning and using academic skills, and the movement-vocalization side can include recurrent motor movement or vocalization.

What happens if your records do not meet this listing

Missing listing 112.11 does not always end the claim. SSA can still approve using the child's overall functional limits, by assessing the child's residual functional capacity (how the child functions despite symptoms) and considering how that affects functioning in day-to-day activities. Step 4 and Step 5 approaches then focus on whether the child's overall limitations result in functioning level that meets the disability standard, even if the exact listing criteria are not matched.

Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition

For SSDI, work is generally not performed at a level that would qualify as substantial gainful activity before approval, and the application process evaluates whether the child meets disability standards. If approved under listing 112.11, ongoing eligibility is tied to SSA's usual rules after a favorable decision, including the trial work period and the extended period of eligibility for those who continue working. The listing's core functional hurdle is an extreme limitation of one mental functioning area, or a marked limitation of two areas, tied to understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; or adapt, manage oneself.

Listing 112.11 FAQ

Questions that come up repeatedly for neurodevelopmental disorders disability claims.