Disability and Accessibility Services
Mental Health Diagnoses

In order to apply for academic accommodations and/or services, Skidmore students with accessibility needs based on one or more psychiatric diagnosis are asked to provide appropriate documentation to the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities. Since not all students with psychiatric diagnoses need accommodations at the college level, the information provided should demonstrate that the diagnosed condition will have a significant, negative impact on the student's functioning in the college setting unless accommodations and/or services are given to improve educational access.

Following are the two pieces of documentation requested:

Report of a psychological testing evaluation, dated within the past three years: If available, this report should be sent even if it does not meet all of the requirements for testing documentation detailed in the Documentation and Process for Academic Accommodations/Services: Non-visible cognitive factors.

Written letters from currently involved mental health professionals: Letters should be sent by all professionals currently involved in the student's treatment. These professionals must be licensed or certified by the state where they are practicing and qualified to diagnose and/or treat individuals with the student's diagnoses. At least one must be the student's current psychotherapist. For those students currently taking medication, a letter from the prescribing medical doctor is also required.

Please copy the following information and give it to the mental health professionals who will write letters for the student.

Each letter needs to:

• indicate when the professional started working with the student and how often sessions have occurred, on average, over the past six months
  
• state the student's diagnoses and indicate when they were given
  
• describe the student's current functioning with respect to specific symptoms and how severe they are
  
• list current medications (name, daily dose, and starting dates) and/or any other current treatments or medical devices used, along with a statement about how helpful each of these is to the student
  
• refer to specific aspects of current functioning and symptom severity when stating recommendations for accommodations/services in the college setting
  
• give an estimated prognosis
  
• make recommendations regarding mental health treatment for the student during the first year of college
  
• include any other information that you believe would be of use to the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities in guiding this student be successful in college.
  

Mail the letters, the application for accommodations, and any other documentation requested to:

Coordinator for Students with Disabilities
Office of Student Academic Services
Starbuck Center, 102E
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-1632