In general, documentation should be written by a medical professional. Documentation must include comprehensive information on the diagnosis (including the DSM 5 or ICD-10 code), associated severity of the diagnosis, and the specific impact and resulting functional limitations of the diagnosis in the academic, housing, or dining environment. Common sources of documentation are health care providers, psychologists, and diagnosticians.
Suggested Documentation Elements:
1. Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by the qualified evaluator providing the documentation.
2. Contains information on the diagnosed condition(s), including the DSM 5/ICD 10 codes
3. Details the severity of the diagnosis, relevant symptoms, and associated impact in the academic and/or living environment
4. If appropriate, discusses treatment, expected progression, and medication side-effects.
5. Discusses current or past accommodations. It may discuss recommended accommodations.
*The Goldman Center requires that students complete their request for accommodations AND provide current documentation before scheduling a meeting with the student. However, we are aware of potential barriers that exist in seeking current documentation necessary to move forward with your request, and we work with each student on a one-on-one level to navigate this process and discuss potential solutions and resources. If you have concerns about the documentation requirement, please feel free to contact the Goldman Center for further information and assistance.
Download the Goldman Center Fillable Provider Packet
See our full Documentation Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions about Documentation:
Why does the Goldman Center Require documentation?
In short, thorough and current medical documentation helps us determine the most appropriate support for you at Tulane University. Medical documentation from a provider specialized in your care can provide critical context about functional information necessary to make disability-related determinations. Through our interactive process, we place value on both your personal narrative and care provider's perspective.
Is my 504/IEP Plan from high school sufficient for consideration?
Generally speaking, no; broadly speaking, it depends.
High school accommodation/learning plans are developed under laws and philosophies which guarantee student success. At Tulane, we must consider access through the removal of disability-related barriers, so there is not a guaranteed 1:1 transition of these plans at Tulane.
Some high school plans detail the medical evaluation which informed the 504 Plan/IEP. The more specific documentation to provide the Goldman Center is your most current evaluation by a qualified evaluator, such as the one that informed your most recent high school learning plan.
Is my provider obligated to utilize the Goldman Center Provider Form?
The Goldman Center Provider Form is there for your convenience, but providers can use our Documentation Guidelines to know what information we need to have in order to support requests for accommodations. At minimum, your provider should be sure to include information about diagnosis, impairment, and accommodation recommendations in the environment.
My documentation recommends a specific accommodation. Is this guarantee of approval?
We ask evaluators and providers for suggestions about accommodations, but ultimately, the Goldman Center makes determinations about accommodation reasonability in the Tulane University environment. Recommendations from your providers are informative for our process and consultation, but not a guarantee. This is because there may be alternative means of support (campus resources or a different accommodation) specific to Tulane that is more appropriate for your request for accommodation.
We know it can be challenging to acquire current medical documentation and encourage you to provide whatever you do have in order for us to consider your request for accommodations. Through a consultation with a member of our team, we can discuss what information we specifically need that is missing in your request; we may be able to discuss appropriate resources to support you as you acquire the necessary documentation.
As a Tulane student, you also have access to campus resources who can provide the missing/relevant documentation about your health condition impacting you:
Campus Health | For graduate and professional students
Counseling and Psychiatric Services
In the event a campus resource is not right for you, such the need for a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation, we also have Referrals for Local Evaluators or help for finding an off-campus provider. If you need immediate support, the Office of Case Management & Victim Support Services is always available as a resource and may be able to refer you to local resources for your concern.
