The Office for Students with Disabilities provides services to students with diagnosed psychiatric disabilities. To determine eligibility for services and appropriate accommodations, this office requires current and comprehensive documentation of this disability from the diagnosing psychiatrist, psychologist or other appropriate professional. The appropriate personnel in the Office for Students with Disabilities will review all materials submitted by off/on campus healthcare professionals to assist in determining appropriate accommodations.

General Documentation requirements for Psychiatric Disorders include the following:

A. Currency of Documentation - Documentation must be current (within the past 3 years) by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or other appropriately licensed practitioner. The name and professional credentials of the evaluator should be indicated and provided on appropriate letterhead of that individual and/or practice.

B. DSM-IV Diagnosis - A complete DSM-IV diagnosis must be provided with an accompanying description of the specific symptoms the student experiences. This diagnosis should be based upon a comprehensive clinical interview and/or psychological testing (when testing is clinically appropriate). A comprehensive clinical interview meets mental health service provider standards of care in length (50 min.) and focus (complete developmental, family, psychiatric, medical history; mental status exam).

C. Impact on Academic Functioning - A complete description of the impact on academic functioning of the student's psychiatric symptoms must be provided. Descriptions of impact upon study skills; classroom behavior, test taking and organizing research would be examples of academic functioning.

D. Recommendation for Academic Accommodations (Optional) Recommendations for academic accommodations must be based upon both B and C above. Diagnostic information and its impact upon student functioning must be related to the academic accommodations, which are recommended.

In addition, the documentation should provide responses to the following list of questions (Note: The student is encouraged to give this list of questions to the clinician providing the documentation):

1. Does the student have a diagnosable mental disorder? If so, what is the specific Multi-Axis DSM IV classification? Please code in 5 axes.
2. What were the assessment or evaluation procedures used to make the diagnosis?
3. Is there historical data that is pertinent to the disability?
4. What are the major symptoms of the disorder currently manifested by the student, including level of severity?
5. If medications are currently prescribed, are there any substantial side effects for this individual?
6. What are the current functional limitations imposed by this disorder?
7. What is the current prognosis? When did you last see this individual?

Documentation must also meet the general documentation requirements.

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See Accommodation Procedures.

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Students have the right to choose not to provide documentation of a disability. However, UT Arlington is under no obligation to provide accommodations if students do not identify themselves. If a student discloses a disabling condition to a faculty or staff member, faculty and staff have been asked to refer the student to the appropriate office on campus for verification of disability and determination of appropriate accommodations.

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Typical accommodations for these disabilities are usually provided through our Adaptive Resource Center. They usually consist of but are not limited to longer time for tests (up to double time), and a quiet, reduced-distraction environment. These are issued on an individual basis and must be justified by documentation.

For more information on types of accommodations or suggestions for instructors see the Accommodations FAQ page or the Faculty Guide.

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