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College Home / Center for Disability Services (CDS) / For Faculty, Staff, and Advisors / Students with Psychological Disabilities

The number of students identifying with a psychological disability is increasing on college campuses.  Some individuals arrive at college with a pre-diagnosed disability while others are identified for the first time with a psychological disability due to the typical age of onset occurring during the college years.

Suggested classroom practices

• Provide a syllabus with clear explanations of tasks and specific due dates.
• Try to be creative/flexible in requiring or assigning group work.
• Discuss inappropriate classroom and interactive behavior with the student in a private and respectful manner, delineating if necessary the limits of acceptable conduct.
• Be open to suggestions from the students about how to best accommodate their needs.

Possible recommended academic accommodations

• Extended time for tests and /or assignments or projects; students may need extended time for a variety of reasons concerning their condition or medication.
• Ability to make up work due to medical absence; students may be absent due to treatment sessions or hospitalization.

For more information

• College of Charleston Counseling Center