January 2001

"How do you work with students who have psychological disabilities?"
Share an anecdote or tip.

An upcoming issue of the journal FACCCTS will explore this topic.

Your responses will be posted here as received, and may be used in other FACCC publications.

Please e-mail responses to Communications Director Katherine Martinez, k7martinez@aol.com, by Jan. 31 (use the subject "January Question").

Answers received: 

• Your answer could be here

• kkraemer@santarosa.edu (Kraemer Kathleen)—All students with disabilities, including psychological, are authorized for support services through the statewide Disabled Students Programs and Services Departments on all community college campuses. Faculty should contact DSPS Counselors and/or DSPS Psychological Disability Specialists for consultation regarding specific academic accommodations and teaching and learning strategies.

The question of how one works with students with psychological disabilities is an incredibly broad question. One could ask, how do you work with students with learning disabilities, or how do you work with students with visual impairments? There are some general guidelines to be sure, and it is important to remember that each student has different learning and accommodation needs. Since, in our culture, individuals with psychological disabilities are often stigmatized more often than individuals with physical disabilities, it is important to be aware of one's own knowledge base, be aware of attitudinal factors in the classroom, and make good use of the disability specialist on your campus.

Kathleen Kraemer, Santa Rosa Junior College, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401

• nmann@slonet.org (Nancy Jean Mann)—Our disabled student services department is very good. If a student's psychological disability is obvious or the student confides in me I IMMEDIATELY contact them as well as our psychological counselors. I then work with the student via the "experts."

• luntcc@earthlink.net (Lunt, Charles)—Respond with great patience, care and much human kindness.............[It works!]

• tlbrink@crafton.sbccd.cc.ca.us (T.L. Brink, professor of psychology, Crafton Hills College)—

  First
  I start out with the assumption that every student has some psychological problems. If a student does well in my class, and manifests no particular difficulty, I assume that there are coping well with their disorders.

  Second
  I invite all students to see me in the office to discuss the course individually with them. I mention that they can take quizzes and tests in the Disabled Student Center and get additional tutoring there. Many will then admit a specific learning disability.

  Third
  I tell students that conditions such as depression are extremely widespread and may affect a third of college students, and to see me for an appropriate referral. I maintain a database of local counseling referrals and self-help groups and distribute that to students.

  Fourth
  Each semester I have at least a couple of students with severe disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar) and emphasize the need to stay on medication, even when feeling fine. Perhaps I have been lucky, but in 26 years of teaching, no disruptive incidents in class.

• boyodublin@mediaone.net James Kenny—With one exception, you treat them with the same respect and dignity that you afford all of your students: you give them more.

Question of the Month Archives

Do you have suggestions for future questions?
E-mail FACCC Communications Director Katherine Martinez with "Question Idea" in the subject line.

Copyright: Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, 926 J Street, Suite 211, Sacramento, CA 95814-2790  (916) 447-8555  Fax (916) 447-0726   faccc@aol.com  www.faccc.org