Guidelines For Documentation Of Psychiatric Disabilities

The term “psychiatric disabilities” covers a wide range of conditions that may include (but is not limited to) chronic conditions such as bipolar illness, major depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders.

If students plan to request accommodations, they must identify themselves to the coordinator/counselor for Student Disability Services and provide professional medical documentation of the disability.

Appropriate documentation will include:

• A signed and dated current report on the stationery of a professional qualified to make the diagnosis. A professionally verified disability is a condition that is certified by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or other appropriate professional trained in the differential diagnosis of psychological disorders.
• Clear evidence of a significant impact on academic functioning relevant to requested accommodations.
• DSM-V criteria presented for the diagnosis of the particular condition, including the DSM-V diagnostic code.
• Dates of treatment and whether student is currently working with a counselor.

The coordinator/counselor for Student Disability Services will review the documentation and meet with the student to plan for appropriate academic accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be noted in a letter from the Office of Student Disability Services, which will be given by the student to his/her faculty members. Treatment history will remain confidential.

The student will be expected to follow department and college policies and academic regulations required of all students.