DDS Evaluation for Guardianship in Connecticut

When a Connecticut family files for guardianship of an adult with an intellectual disability, the probate court does not rely on the family's testimony alone to determine capacity. The court orders the Department of Developmental Services to send a professional or assessment team to evaluate the individual and submit a formal report. This DDS evaluation — documented on Form PC-770A — is the clinical foundation the judge uses to decide whether guardianship is warranted and how broad the guardian's authority should be.

Understanding what the evaluation covers, how it works, and what the IQ threshold means helps families prepare for a process that often feels opaque.

The IQ Threshold: Why It Matters

Connecticut maintains a strict statutory distinction between guardianship and conservatorship, and the dividing line is cognitive profile.

Guardianship under C.G.S. Sections 45a-670 through 45a-684 is reserved exclusively for adults who meet the state's definition of intellectual disability: a documented IQ of 69 or below alongside significant deficits in adaptive behavior, with both conditions originating before age eighteen. This is codified in C.G.S. Section 1-1g.

Conservatorship under C.G.S. Sections 45a-644 through 45a-663 applies to adults whose impairments do not meet the intellectual disability definition — including adults with autism spectrum profiles who have an IQ of 70 or above, traumatic brain injuries, psychiatric conditions, or other cognitive impairments.

This distinction determines which form you file (PC-700 for guardianship versus PC-300 for conservatorship), which evaluation the court orders (DDS assessment versus physician's evaluation), and which ongoing reporting requirements apply.

If your child has an IQ score near the boundary — in the high 60s or low 70s — the distinction can feel arbitrary. But it has real procedural consequences. The guardianship track uses a free DDS evaluation. The conservatorship track requires a private physician's evaluation at the family's expense; the professional fee varies.

What Triggers the DDS Evaluation

The family does not arrange the DDS evaluation. Here is the sequence:

1. The family files Form PC-700 (Application for Guardianship of Person with Intellectual Disability) with the local probate court
2. The probate court reviews the petition and accepts it for processing
3. The court issues an order directing DDS to evaluate the respondent
4. DDS assigns a professional or assessment team to conduct the evaluation
5. The evaluation must be completed and Form PC-770A submitted to the court within 45 days of the court's order

The 45-day window is statutory. If DDS cannot complete the evaluation within this period — due to scheduling difficulties, the respondent's unavailability, or other logistics — the court may grant an extension, but families should contact DDS proactively if the timeline seems tight.

What the Evaluation Covers

The DDS evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of the individual's functional capabilities and limitations. The assessor examines the respondent across multiple domains to provide the probate judge with a clinical picture of where the individual can make decisions independently and where they need support.

Cognitive functioning. The evaluation reviews existing cognitive testing (IQ scores, neuropsychological evaluations) and assesses the individual's current intellectual functioning. This confirms whether the individual meets the statutory definition of intellectual disability.

Adaptive behavior. Adaptive behavior refers to the practical skills needed for daily living — communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure, and work. Deficits in these areas, combined with the IQ criterion, establish the intellectual disability diagnosis.

Decision-making capacity by domain. This is the section most relevant to the scope of the guardianship order. The assessor evaluates whether the individual can make informed decisions in specific areas:

• Medical decisions — Can they understand treatment options, consent to procedures, communicate symptoms?
• Residential choices — Can they choose where to live, evaluate living arrangements, maintain safe housing?
• Financial management — Can they handle money, understand transactions, avoid exploitation?
• Educational and vocational choices — Can they make informed decisions about programs, employment, and services?
• Social and personal relationships — Can they make safe choices about who to interact with?

Existing supports and alternatives. The assessor should document what support systems are currently in place — family involvement, SDM arrangements, service providers, case management — and whether those systems are meeting the individual's needs without court intervention.

How the Evaluation Shapes the Court Order

The PC-770A report directly influences whether the judge issues a limited or plenary guardianship order. This is why the domain-by-domain assessment matters so much.

If the DDS evaluation shows that the individual lacks capacity in medical decision-making but can make safe residential and social choices, the judge has a clinical basis for issuing a limited guardianship covering only medical decisions. If the evaluation shows total incapacity across all domains, it supports a plenary order.

Families should understand that the DDS evaluation is not just a yes-or-no determination. A nuanced, detailed report gives the judge the information needed to tailor the order precisely. A vague or cursory evaluation makes it harder for the judge to limit the order appropriately.

How to Prepare Your Child

The DDS assessor will likely meet with your adult child in person, either at your home, at a DDS office, or at the individual's school or day program. The assessment typically involves:

• A structured interview with the individual
• Observation of daily living skills
• Review of existing clinical documentation (IEP records, psychological evaluations, medical history)
• Interviews with family members and service providers who know the individual well

To prepare:

Gather documentation in advance. Compile the most recent psychological evaluation (including IQ testing), adaptive behavior assessments, IEP documents, medical records, and any reports from service providers. Having these ready for the DDS assessor streamlines the process.

Brief the assessor on the individual's communication style. If your child communicates through augmentative devices, sign language, picture systems, or nonstandard verbal communication, let the assessor know before the evaluation session. The quality of the assessment depends on the assessor's ability to communicate effectively with the individual.

Prepare the individual for the visit. A calm, familiar explanation of who is coming and why can reduce anxiety. The assessment is not a test to pass or fail — it is a conversation and observation designed to understand the individual's strengths and needs.

Be honest about both capabilities and limitations. The instinct to present your child's abilities in the best light is natural, but an overly optimistic presentation can undermine the guardianship petition. Conversely, underrepresenting capabilities can lead to a broader order than necessary. Describe the individual's actual daily functioning as accurately as possible.

If the Evaluation Does Not Support Guardianship

It is possible for the DDS evaluation to identify less restrictive supports rather than support the requested guardianship. The DDS report is evidence; the probate judge makes the legal determination about whether court-ordered guardianship is necessary and what scope, if any, is appropriate.

The DDS Evaluation Is Free

Unlike the conservatorship track — where the physician's evaluation (Form PC-370) is a private professional fee — the DDS evaluation for guardianship is covered under state agency assessment mandates. There is no cost to the family for the PC-770A evaluation itself.

Combined with the availability of fee waivers (Form PC-184) for the $250 court filing fee, the guardianship track can be pursued at minimal cost by families who qualify as indigent.

The Connecticut Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes a pre-evaluation preparation checklist, a domain-by-domain capability worksheet that helps families organize their observations before the DDS assessor's visit, and guidance on interpreting the PC-770A report to advocate for the appropriate scope of guardianship at the hearing.

See more Connecticut guides →