DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES:

·         The documentation must be comprehensive and must discuss current problems associated with the diagnosis. The documentation of psychological disabilities provided to DS must be within six (6) months prior to the student's request for accommodation(s).

·         Mental Health Professionals conducting assessments, rendering diagnoses of specific psychological disabilities, and making recommendations for appropriate accommodation(s) must be licensed by the state in which they practice (i.e., psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, medical doctor, privileged licensed professional counselors).

·         The documentation must identify a diagnosis of a psychological disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fourth Edition, (DSM-TR).

·         The documentation must discuss functional limitations caused by the disability in an academic environment in which the student is requesting accommodation(s).

·         The documentation should recommend accommodation(s) to compensate for the identified functional limitations.

·         If the disability is managed by medication, the documentation should list current medication, dosages, and existing side effects.

ACCOMMODATIONS ARE DECIDED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AND MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:              

·           Priority registration

·           Extended time on examinations

·           Examinations in a quiet, distraction-reduced environment

·           Consideration for absences

·           Frequent breaks

·           Writing directly on the test, without a scantron

·           Note taker

WHEN TO CONTACT DS:

·         To register for services.

·         To request additional services.

·         When unable to work out DS approved accommodations with faculty.

·         When accommodations do not seem to be helping or the psychological condition has worsened.

·         When there is a problem. Be honest with the DS staff and faculty. We cannot be of assistance if we do not know a problem exists.

NEW STUDENTS:

Students should attend orientation to familiarize themselves with LSU's policies and procedures. 

Note: Students with disabilities have a right to review their files. This can be arranged by scheduling an appointment with an DS staff member. DS does not provide copies of documentation. Upon receipt of student documentation, DS will scan documentation to create an electronic student file. The original hard copy of the documentation will then be destroyed. Upon registration, students will be encouraged to maintain a copy of the documentation. Original copies of documentation should be obtained from the originator of the documentation.  DS will retain an electronic copy of all information within a student’s file for five (5) years. Once the student is considered inactive for five years, the file may be deleted. When a student with a disability requests accommodations, he/she should understand that some disability-related information may be provided on a need-to-know basis to University personnel in order to ensure that the student will receive appropriate accommodations. In most instances, University personnel need to know only what accommodations the student must be provided and that the student has been through the disability documentation review process with DS. Otherwise, University personnel do not have access to information regarding a student’s disability.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISABILITIES REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS FORM

WEBSITES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness - Mental Health Support, Education and Advocacy

Internet Mental Health

American Psychiatric Association

American Psychological Association

National Institute of Mental Health

Schizophrenia.com

Balezon Center for Mental Health Law

Baton Rouge Crisis and Intervention Center

Mental Health Rehabilitation Services