Need provider to write letter for ADA housing accommodation (OCD)
Our student has mild OCD, but no official diagnosis (I have also worked through OCD and recognize it). They are headed to college and concerned about sharing space as many of the behaviors relate to sleep. We are looking for a provider that can write a letter of accommodation for college housing in order to request a single room. They don't currently have a therapist (had one many years ago who no longer practices). If you've been in a similar situation and can provide a name we'd be grateful. TIA
Feb 8, 2025
Parent Replies
You could definitely do a full assessment but that is costly and time consuming (my kid has had these). On the other hand I believe that a physician such as you child’s primary care doctor could write this for OCD. Make an appointment for a consult with their doctor and along with them describe why you believe they have OCD. List symptoms, when they started and how they impact them. Given this the doctor should be able to follow through with the request
Our girl also has mild OCD but is much younger. Her general practitioner/ pediatrician offered to write a note for school if we needed any accommodations. If you haven’t asked your doctor, could be a good place to start.
Your child would need an official diagnosis in order for a healthcare provider to write such a letter.
Hello,
I highly recommend that you go to Kaiser (or whatever health provider you have) and get your student an OCD diagnosis. With Kaiser it is free and relatively easy to do - you call up Psychiatry in the Dept of Behavioral Health, and request an assessment. It can be done in a few hours (different from hiring a neuropsych which is very expensive and time consuming, and I think is what another person is referring to below). Diagnosis is a very important step which will really help when they need other support in the future at college. OCD tends to get worse when stress and life changes enter the picture. Better to help them get on the right track now before they are out of the house and have to navigate this on their own.
My child has had mod to severe OCD and we have taken classes, been to years of therapy, and always been counseled NOT to accommodate the OCD, since that eventually makes it grow worse. It is much better to learn the tools to work through the OCD. I have learned that OCD is the only psychiatric disorder which is fully treatable and people are able to go into recovery from it (though it can never be cured). If they get a diagnosis and help now, your student will be able to receive therapy to stop those bedtime behaviors instead of letting them control his or her college roommate experience - and potentially other experiences as well.