Documentation Guidelines for Psychiatric/Psychological Disabilities

Psychiatric and psychological disabilities include but are not limited to: Depressive Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorders, and Dissociative Disorders. A diagnosis by a licensed mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or a neurologist) is required and must include the diagnostician’s license number.

Documentation must include:

• A clear statement of the disability, including the DSM-IV diagnosis and a summary of present symptoms.  This diagnosis should be based upon a comprehensive clinical interview including psychological testing (when such testing is clinically appropriate).
• A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis and a summary of evaluation results, including standardized or percentile scores.
• Medical information relating to the student’s needs to include the impact of medication on the student’s ability to meet the demands of postsecondary education.
• Suggestions of reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate at the postsecondary level.  These recommendations must be supported by the diagnosis.