Unfortunately, no. Beyond the diagnosis or prescriptions, SAS needs to know how the student is directly impacted by the disability or side effects of medications in academic areas. Therefore, SAS highly recommends that doctors/licensed counselors complete the SAS Clinical Assessment form. By using the preferred form, the doctor is directed to report on all disability-related impacts in a structured way where they are less likely to leave out required details.
Students can ask their doctor to write a note (instead of using the Clinical Assessment form) but most likely the note will not address all required factors. Below are the requirements for a handwritten note from a provider:
An *appropriate diagnostician can provide a disability diagnosis with a description of the condition, measures to arrive at the diagnosis, prognosis, expected duration, how this condition affects you, recommendations for accommodations, and the side effects of prescribed medication if applicable.
*An appropriate licensed diagnostician or qualified clinician, can be a primary physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, licensed mental health professional, etc. The diagnostician must (1) have an established patient relationship with the student, (2) have provided treatment for the condition, and (3) be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.