Housing Accommodations for College Student with Anxiety/Misophoni
My daughter struggles with anxiety, migraines, and misophonia, (sensitivity/hatred of sounds) and it causes her to spiral downward when she can't be in a dark, quiet space. She was admitted to UC Berkeley and so we are worried about how she will do sharing a room. Does anyone have advice about navigating this? Also, advice for where to get a doctor or professional to give her an accommodation?
Mar 30, 2024
Parent Replies
Her own doctor should be able to provide a letter based on her diagnosis so that you can make a request for housing accommodations. It sounds like she might do best in a single, if they are offered. Otherwise, is is possible for her to live at home and just commune to campus if you are close enough? Honestly, there is a LOT of noise, even in a single, in many dorms, so her sensitivity might be a real issue. I'd contact housing ASAP - good luck to her!
UC Berkeley has a good Disability Services office. Contact them as soon as possible. My son's pediatrician had an ulcerative colitis patient that got into a dorm at Cal that is very close to campus in a single that had a bathroom. If you have colitis you sometimes need quick access to a bathroom. My son got in touch with disability services when he started college (not Cal), and one time he did need to use the 504 that he had in place, because of a flare up. You can also contact DREDF (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund) who can tell you what might be the best way to proceed. Good luck.