Counseling Center

AAS Documentation Requirements:

Your disability and Required Documentation

In order to fully evaluate a student's request for academic accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, documentation of the student's disability is required. The documentation must be on letterhead and must be from a qualified diagnostician.

Documentation is confidential and will not be released or discussed without the student's permission.

If the student needs, or expects to need, an accommodation not supported by their documentation, the student should discuss further evaluation with Dr. Coleen Speed, Accessibility Accommodation Services.

Information explaining the required documentation for various disabilities can be found by clicking on each of the following links.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Require Documentation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Grambling State University is committed to ensuring that qualified students with documented disabilities receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Academic accommodations and support services are provided to ensure equal access to educational opportunities to GSU students with disabilities. The mandate to provide reasonable academic accommodations does not extend to adjustments that would "fundamentally alter" the nature of the course, course components or course requirements.

In order to fully evaluate a student's request for academic accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, documentation of the student's disability is required. Eligibility for accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendment Act (ADAA) are based on the existence of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity affecting one's ability to fully participate in academic and/or campus life. The documentation must include evidence of both a disorder and indicate relevant functional limitations to a major life activity such as reading, writing, walking, seeing, and caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, eating, speaking, breathing, hearing, learning, concentrating, thinking, and communicating. Accommodations are provided in response to the functional limitations of a disability as they clearly intersect with academic demands and designed to provide equal access. Documentation is needed to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

The Required Information to be provided by the Certifying Professional must be on official letterhead and signed and dated by the certifying professional. The letter should include the following information:

1. Applicant's name and date of birth.
2. State and date the applicant's current diagnosis (es) as per the Diagnostic and
   Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5 or previous version).
3. Please attach a clinical summary or a psychoeducational evaluation that
   supports the stated diagnosis. These materials must include: evidence of early
   impairment, a diagnostic interview, assessment tools and test data that support
   the ADHD diagnosis and the date when the last evaluation was conducted.

The report must describe the extent to which the symptoms of the stated diagnosis would negatively impact the academic performance for which accommodations are being requested,
For assistance with this process, call the Student Counseling and Resource Center at 318-274-3277 or email speedc@gram.edu

Documentation can be submitted to:

Dr. Coleen Speed, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Resource Center
GSU BOX 4306
GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA  71245
EMAIL:  SPEEDC@GRAM.EDU

• Learning Disability

Requirements for Learning Disability

Grambling State University is committed to ensuring that qualified students with documented disabilities receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations, Academic accommodations and support services are provided to ensure equal access to educational opportunities to GSU students with disabilities, The mandate to provide reasonable academic accommodations does not extend to adjustments that would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the course, course components or course requirements.

In order to fully evaluate a student’s request for academic accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, documentation of the student’s disability is required. Eligibility for accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendment Act (ADAA) are based on the existence of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity affecting one’s ability to fully participate in academic and/or campus life. The documentation must .include evidence of both a disorder and indicate relevant functional limitations to a major life activity such as reading, writing, walking, seeing, and caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, eating, speaking, breathing, hearing, learning, concentrating, thinking, and communicating. Accommodations are provided in response to the functional limitations of a disability as they clearly intersect with academic demands and designed to provide equal access, Documentation is needed to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Students with learning disabilities requesting accommodations must provide current and comprehensive documentation from a licensed clinical professional who has relevant experience in differential diagnosis (i,e., licensed clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, or licensed clinical counselor). This type of documentation not only validates the presence of a disability, but is useful in providing information to support educational planning and anticipate future accommodation needs. The provided documentation must be on official letterhead and signed and dated by the certifying professional. A description of preferred documentation is listed below.

• A comprehensive psycho-educational test battery, which means intelligence/ability testing and educational/achievement testing are recommended. A full diagnostic report, including all standard test scores as well as subtest scores and the evaluator's narrative, are recommended. If you are providing information from a public school, include the most recent Comprehensive Evaluation (i.e. Multifactored Evaluation) and Individual Educational Program (IEP) and the original eligibility evaluation as well as any other MFE's that include the results of a psycho-educational test battery. These documents alone may or may not provide adequate information to document the learning disability.
• A diagnosis made by (a) qualified professional(s) i.e., licensed school psychologist, licensed psychologist, learning disabilities/educational specialist is suggested. The learning disability diagnosis must be clearly stated. References to academic weaknesses and learning differences alone may not substantiate a learning disability diagnosis'.
•  Assessments normed for adults are preferred. What this means is that your assessments should not be assessments for children, but rather tests that are designed for adults, i.e. WAIS-III rather than W1SC-III.
• A diagnosis of a learning disability and type(s) of learning disability(ies), which should be supported by test data and a description of current functional limitations are important, Psycho-educational, testing completed within the last three years provides a better assessment of current functional limitations. •
• Suggestions for appropriate accommodations are helpful. It is important that these suggestions are based upon functional limitations. If it is not evident why an accommodation is suggested by assessing test scores and resulting functional limitations, then a rationale for the accommodations is necessary. •
• Along with the above information, transfer students are encouraged to provide written verification from the previously attended school, which includes the dates served and the accommodations used.

For assistance with this process, call the Student Counseling and Resource Center at 318-274-3277 or email speedc@gram.edu

Documentation can be submitted to:

Dr. Coleen Speed, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Resource Center
GSU BOX 4306
GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA  71245
EMAIL:  SPEEDC@GRAM.EDU

• Physical Disability

Requirements for Physical Disability

Grambling State University is committed to ensuring that qualified students with documented disabilities receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Academic accommodations and support services are provided to ensure equal access to educational opportunities to GSU students with disabilities. The mandate to provide reasonable academic accommodations does not extend to adjustments that would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the course, course components or course requirements.

In order to fully evaluate a student’s request for academic accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, documentation of the student’s disability is required. Eligibility for accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendment Act (ADAA) are based on the existence of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity affecting one’s ability to fully participate in academic and/or campus life. The documentation must include evidence of both a disorder and indicate relevant functional limitations to a major life activity such as reading, writing, walking, seeing, and caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, eating, speaking, breathing, hearing, learning, concentrating, thinking, and communicating. Accommodations are provided in response to the functional limitations of a disability as they clearly intersect with academic demands and designed to provide equal access. Documentation is needed to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Students requesting accommodations on the basis of a Physical Disability must provide an appropriate diagnostic evaluation administered by trained and qualified (i.e., certified and/or licensed) professionals (e.g., medical doctors, ophthalmologists, psychologists, audiologists). The Required Information must be on official letterhead stating the applicant’s name and date of birth and must be signed and dated by the certifying professional.

The diagnostic report must include:

1. Clear disability diagnosis, including a clinical history that establishes the age of the student at the initial date of diagnosis, last contact with the student, and any secondary conditions that might be present
2. Procedures used to diagnose the disability.
3. Description of any medical and/or behavioral symptoms associated with the disability.
4. Discussion of medications, dosage, frequency, and any adverse side effects attributable to their use.
5. Clear statement specifying functional limitations (i.e., substantial limitations to one or more major life activities and degree of severity) due to the disability and/or medications for which the student may require accommodations.
6. Recommendations for accommodations, including a rationale for the recommended accommodation.

For assistance with this process, call the Student Counseling and Resource Center at 318-274-3277 or email speedc@gram.edu

Documentation can be submitted to:

Dr. Coleen Speed, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Resource Center
GSU BOX 4306
GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA  71245
EMAIL:  SPEEDC@GRAM.EDU

• Psychological Disability

Requirements for Psychological Disability

Grambling State University is committed to ensuring that qualified students with documented disabilities receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Academic accommodations and support services are provided to ensure equal access to educational opportunities to GSU students with disabilities. The mandate to provide reasonable academic accommodations does not extend to adjustments that would ‘'fundamentally alter'5 the nature of the course, course components or course requirements.

 In order to fully evaluate a student’s request for academic accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, documentation of the student’s disability is required. Eligibility for accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendment Act (ADAA) are based on the existence of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity affecting one’s ability to fully participate in academic and/or campus life. The documentation must include evidence of both a disorder and indicate relevant functional limitations to a major life activity such as reading, writing, walking, seeing, and caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, eating, speaking, breathing, hearing, learning, concentrating, thinking, and communicating. Accommodations are provided in response to the functional limitations of a disability as they clearly intersect with academic demands and designed to provide equal access. Documentation is needed to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Students requesting accommodations on the basis of mental health disability must provide current documentation from a licensed clinical professional who has relevant experience in differential diagnosis and the full range of mental disorders (i.e., licensed clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed clinical social worker). Please note that this office WILL NOT accept documentation provided by a member of the student's family.

The Required Information to be provided by the Certifying Professional must be on official letterhead and signed by the certifying professional. The letter should include the following information:

1. Applicant’s name and date of birth.
2. State and date the applicant's current diagnosis (es) as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5).
3. Indicate the nature, frequency, and severity of the symptoms upon which the diagnosis was based. Please note that a diagnosis without explicit listing of current symptoms is not sufficient.
4. How long have you treated this applicant? Please include tire date of the last appointment. If applicable, list the prescribed medications and dosages.
5. Indicate how the current behaviors, medication, and the presenting symptoms may negatively impact the applicant's academic functioning.
6. GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ACCESSILITY ACCOMMODATION SERVICES |
7. GSU BOX 4306 Grambling, Louisiana  71270 P 318-274-3277 | F 318-274-3114 | speedc@gram.edu
8. Based on the diagnosis, suggest how the specific effects of the disability may be reasonably accommodated and how the effects of the disability are mitigated by the recommended accommodations.
9. If available, please attach a clinical summary or a psychological evaluation.

For assistance with this process, call the Student Counseling and Resource Center at 318-274-3277 or email speedc@gram.edu

Documentation can be submitted to:

Dr. Coleen Speed, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Resource Center
GSU BOX 4306
GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA  71245
EMAIL:  SPEEDC@GRAM.EDU

• Sensory Disability

Requirements for Sensory Disability

Grambling State University is committed to ensuring that qualified students with documented disabilities receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Academic accommodations and support services are provided to ensure equal access to educational opportunities to GSU students with disabilities. The mandate to provide reasonable academic accommodations does not extend to adjustments that would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the course, course components or course requirements.

In order to fully evaluate a student’s request for academic accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, documentation of the student’s disability is required. Eligibility for accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendment Act (ADAA) are based on the existence of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity affecting one’s ability to hilly participate in academic and/or campus life. The documentation must include evidence of both a disorder and indicate relevant functional limitations to a major life activity such as reading, writing, walking, seeing, and caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, eating, speaking, breathing, hearing, learning, concentrating, thinking, and communicating. Accommodations are provided in response to the functional limitations of a disability as they clearly intersect with academic demands and designed to provide equal access. Documentation is needed to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Students requesting accommodations on the basis of a Sensory disability must provide an appropriate diagnostic evaluation administered by trained and qualified (i.e., certified and/or licensed) professionals (e.g., medical doctors, ophthalmologists, psychologists, neuropsychologists, audiologists). The Required Information must be on official letterhead stating the applicant’s name and date of birth and must be signed and dated by the certifying professional.

The diagnostic report must include:

1. Clear disability diagnosis, including a clinical history that establishes the age of the student al the initial date of diagnosis, last contact with, the student, and any secondary conditions that might be present.
2. Procedures used to diagnose the disability.
3. Description of any medical and/or behavioral symptoms associated with the disability.
4. Discussion of medications, dosage, frequency, and any adverse side effects attributable to their use.
5. Clear statement specifying functional limitations (i.e., substantial limitations to one or more major life activities and degree of severity) due to the disability and/or medications for which the student may require accommodations.
6. Recommendations for accommodations, including rationale.

For assistance with this process, call the Student Counseling and Resource Center at 318-274-3277 or email speedc@gram.edu

Documentation can be submitted to:

Dr. Coleen Speed, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Resource Center
GSU BOX 4306
GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA  71245
EMAIL:  SPEEDC@GRAM.EDU

• Medical Disability

Requirement Medical Disability

• Traumatic Brain Injury

Requirement Traumatic Brain Injury

Grambling State University is committed to ensuring that qualified students with documented disabilities receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Academic accommodations and support services are provided to ensure equal access to educational opportunities to GSU students with disabilities, The mandate to provide reasonable academic accommodations does not extend to adjustments that would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the course, course components or course requirements.

In order to fully evaluate a student’s request for academic accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, documentation of the student’s disability is required. Eligibility for accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendment Act (ADAA) are based on the existence of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity affecting one’s ability to fully participate in academic and/or campus life.

The documentation must include evidence of both a disorder and indicate relevant functional limitations to a major life activity such as reading, writing, walking, seeing, and caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, eating, speaking, breathing, hearing, learning, concentrating, thinking, and communicating, Accommodations are provided in response to the functional limitations of a disability as they clearly intersect with academic demands and designed to provide equal access. Documentation is needed to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students requesting accommodations on the basis of a Traumatic Brain Injury must provide an appropriate diagnostic evaluation administered by trained and qualified (i.e., certified and/or licensed) professionals (e.g., medical doctors, psychologists, neuropsychologists,).

The Required Information must be on official letterhead stating the applicant’s name and date of birth and must be signed and dated by the certifying professional.

The diagnostic report must include:

1. Clear disability diagnosis, including a clinical history that establishes the age of the student at the initial date of diagnosis, last contact with the student, and any secondary conditions that might be present.
2. Procedures used to diagnose the disability.
3. Description of any medical and/or behavioral symptoms associated with the disability.
4. Discussion of medications, dosage, frequency, and any adverse side effects attributable to their use.
5. Clear statement specifying functional limitations (i.e., substantial limitations to one or more major life activities and degree of severity) due to the disability and/or medications for which the student may require accommodations,
6. Recommendations for accommodations, including rationale for recommended accommodation.

For assistance with this process, call the Student Counseling and Resource Center at 318-274-3277 or email speedc@gram.edu

Documentation can be submitted to:

Dr. Coleen Speed, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Resource Center
GSU BOX 4306
GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA  71245
EMAIL:  SPEEDC@GRAM.EDU