Psychological Assessment Services

The UCC offers psychological assessment services intended to support students who are currently experiencing academic or mental health challenges that are impairing their ability to successfully engage in the academic environment. Assessment and testing are specialty services with limited capacity. If an evaluation at the UCC is indicated, students will be scheduled as availability permits, provided they have at least one semester of enrollment at VU remaining. Please be aware that the UCC no longer offers autism evaluations.

How do I get a referral for an assessment at the UCC?

For students with an established UCC provider, please discuss a referral with your provider. Students who wish to self-refer must first contact Student Care Coordination (SCC) to facilitate the referral.

What to expect from UCC Assessment Services:

UCC clinicians diagnose neurodevelopmental disorders using evidence-based protocols and following DSM5 criteria. Having symptoms or traits of these disorders does not necessarily mean that the person’s presentation will meet the diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis. While a diagnosis is not required for a person to identify as neurodivergent, a formal diagnosis is needed to access certain treatments (e.g., stimulant medication) and accommodations.

What kind of information is collected?

For adults, a proper diagnostic evaluation typically requires several steps: an interview with the individual, symptom rating scales completed by the individual and by an informant (peer, partner, or friend as well as parent/guardian) who is familiar with the individual’s current and/or childhood behavior and symptom presentation. In some cases, review of early school records and/or conversations with other people in the individual’s life will be needed.

Will I be able to get academic accommodations?

While the documentation from UCC diagnostic evaluations is sufficient for requesting accommodations at Vanderbilt, UCC documentation may or may not be sufficient to secure accommodations on standardized testing outside Vanderbilt (e.g., GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT or state/national licensing examinations). Because outside agencies often require a test battery that is significantly more comprehensive than is required for diagnosis, the UCC is unable to provide this level of evaluation and documentation.

Are there other supports available to address ADHD/Executive Functioning concerns?

The Center for Student Wellbeing offers a weekly group to address issues related to executive functioning, learning, and attention problems. The UCC offers ongoing medication management of ADHD. If you have a previous diagnosis of ADHD, please review the UCC medication management services webpage for additional information about required documentation for management of stimulant medication.

This page was last updated September 2025