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Students with Neurological ImpairmentsNeurology refers to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Neurological disorders are common range from problems like tension headaches to serious and debilitating problems like brain tumors, sleep disorders, strokes, serious seizure disorders, spinal cord paralysis and muscular dystrophy. The vast majority of disorders involve the nervous system and are neurological. However, since their manifestations and treatments are so diverse, neurological disorders have been divided into numerous sub-groups with their own specialized teams of physicians and therapists. Examples are epilepsy neurologists and neurogenetic neurologists who specialize in seizures and genetic disorders respectively, physiatrists who specialize in rehabilitation and neurodevelopmental pediatricians who care for children with learning and developmental problems. Neurological disorders can be caused by many different factors, including (but not limited to): inherited genetic abnormalities, problems in the immune system, injury to the brain or nervous system, or diabetes. There are a variety of neurological disorders that may affect a student's academic functioning while in college. Depending on the severity and functional limitations caused by the impairment, the student may be eligible for services through the Office for Disability Services, ODS. In order for a neurological disorder to be considered a disability, the student must demonstrate through documentation that their condition meets the definition of a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990. According to these laws, the definition of a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. ODS requires specific information from both the student and the student's provider to determine if the student's condition is considered a disability under these laws and if the student is eligible to receive academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and/or services. Students requesting services for a neurological disorder through ODS should refer to the following links in this web site:
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