Anna Kisting, M.S. Director, Disability Support & Success Maryville University

Understanding psychiatric disabilities Common experiences in the classroom Accommodating mental illness What can you do? Our Discussion Today

Disturbances in thinking, feeling, relating, and functional behaviors Diminished capacity to cope with the demands of daily life Usually “invisible” Stems from multiple factors What is mental illness?

Stigma Abounds Talking about Mental Health

Mood Disorders e.g., Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Anxiety Disorders e.g., Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD Personality Disorders e.g., Borderline Personality Disorder Under the Umbrella of Psychiatric Disability

Heightened anxieties, fears, suspicions, or blaming others Confused or disorganized thinking; strange or grandiose ideas Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things Extreme highs or lows in mood Denial of obvious problems and a strong resistance to offers of help Common Experiences (

Drowsiness or sleepiness due to medication usage Limited ability to tolerate noise Difficulty sustaining concentration Problems interacting with others Fear of authority figures What does this look like in the classroom? (Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 1997)

Difficulty understanding and correctly interpreting criticism or poor grades Difficulty managing assignments, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines Difficulty coping with unexpected changes in coursework, such as changes in the assignments, due dates or instructors Severe test anxiety What does this look like in the classroom? (Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 1997)

Removal of barriers, not a guarantee of success Focus on access, not convenience Common accommodations Extended time on tests Limited distraction testing space Recording lecture Attendance leniency* Alternatives to public speaking* Academic Accommodations

Be proactive about connecting to students Set clear boundaries and expectations Address multimodal learning Discuss concerns/questions with your institution’s disability services provider What can instructors do?

Anna Kisting