Starting college or university is a big change. Maybe you live with ADHD, anxiety, depression or another mental health condition. The pace and pressure can make it hard to show what you really know. Academic accommodations can help level the playing field. In Ontario, colleges and universities have a legal duty to accommodate students with disabilities, including mental health disabilities and ADHD. This guide explains how to register, what documents you need and which accommodations are common. It also covers how OSAP can help with costs.
This is general information, not legal advice. Each school has its own process, so check with your school's accessibility office for details.
What are academic accommodations?
Accommodations are changes to how you learn or are tested. They remove barriers linked to a disability. They don't lower the standards of your program. You still learn the same material and meet the same essential requirements.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) says the Ontario Human Rights Code protects students with disabilities in education. That includes colleges and universities, public and private. The OHRC also notes that human rights law recognizes ADHD as a disability that needs accommodation. Mental health conditions are covered too.
Register with your school's accessibility office
Every Ontario college and university has an office that arranges accommodations. It may be called Accessibility Services, Accessible Learning or Student Accessibility Services.
Here's how it usually works:
Contact the office early. Many schools let you register before classes start. Exam accommodations often need to be set up weeks before the exam.
Fill out the intake form. This is usually online.
Send your documents. More on this below.
Meet with an advisor. You'll talk about how your condition affects your studies and agree on a plan.
Share your letter with instructors. The office usually sends a letter that lists your accommodations, not your diagnosis.
You can register at any point in the year. If your needs change, you can ask to update your plan.
The documents you'll need
Schools generally want documentation from a regulated health professional. What matters most is not the label but how your condition affects your learning.
Diagnosis vs functional limitations. A diagnosis names the condition. Functional limitations describe its effects. Examples are trouble focusing for long periods, slow processing under time pressure or panic symptoms in crowded rooms. Accommodations are based on functional limitations.
Privacy. The OHRC says schools should focus on your needs and limitations, not on a specific diagnosis. In many cases, the accessibility office does not need diagnosis details. Your instructors usually see only the accommodations, not your medical information.
A good document often includes:
That you have a disability and that it is ongoing, or how long it's expected to last
Your functional limitations in an academic setting
Suggested accommodations linked to those limitations
Many schools have their own form for your health professional to fill out. Ask the office for it.
Common accommodations for ADHD and mental health
Your plan will fit your needs. Common accommodations include:
Extra time on tests and exams. Often time and a half, but it varies.
A quiet or low-distraction room for writing exams.
Note-taking support, such as a peer note-taker, lecture recordings or note-taking software.
A reduced course load, so you can study part-time and still progress.
Deadline flexibility, for times when symptoms flare up.
Breaks during exams.
Assistive technology, such as text-to-speech or planning tools.
Tips for using your accommodations
Having a plan is a great start. Using it well takes a bit of practice.
Book exams early. Many schools need you to book accommodated exams by a set date each term. Put those dates in your calendar.
Talk to instructors early. You don't have to explain your diagnosis. A short chat about how the accommodations will work in their course is enough.
Keep copies. Save your accommodation letter and any emails.
Check in each term. If something isn't working, tell your advisor. Plans can change.
If your request is denied or not followed
Accommodation is a shared process. The school, your instructors and you all have a part. If a request is refused, or an instructor doesn't follow your plan, start with your accessibility advisor. Most schools also have an appeal or complaint process. The OHRC says schools must take accommodation requests seriously and respond in a timely way. If you can't resolve it, you may want legal advice.
Interim accommodations while you wait
Getting a full assessment can take time. Many schools offer interim or temporary accommodations while you gather documents. You may need a short note or proof that an assessment is booked. Ask your accessibility office what they accept. Don't wait until you're struggling to reach out.
Should you register if you're not sure you need it?
Many students wait until they're already behind. That's common, but it can make the term harder. Registering doesn't mean you have to use every accommodation. It just means support is ready if you need it.
Some students worry that registering will show up on a transcript or affect future jobs. Accommodations are usually not noted on your transcript, but check your school's policy. Your accessibility file is usually kept separate from your academic record. Ask your school's office how they protect your information if you have concerns.
How an ADHD or psychoeducational assessment helps
A psychoeducational or ADHD assessment looks at attention, learning, memory and other skills. The report can describe your functional limitations and suggest accommodations. That's exactly the kind of information schools and OSAP look for.
We offer ADHD assessments. Our Ottawa office assesses children 6 and up, teens and adults. Learn more about our adult ADHD assessment in Ottawa and what to expect from an adult ADHD assessment in Ontario.
OSAP disability verification and funding
If you're applying for OSAP, you can self-identify as a student with a disability. To be verified, you'll need the OSAP Disability Verification Form. You fill out Section A. Section B is completed by a physician or other regulated health care professional whose scope of practice includes diagnosing. You then upload it through your OSAP account.
At our clinic, our psychologists and nurse practitioners complete the OSAP Disability Verification Form.
Once your disability is verified, you may be able to:
Get full-time OSAP with a reduced load. You may qualify for full-time OSAP while taking 40% or more of a full course load. This applies to a permanent or a persistent or prolonged disability.
Apply for the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment, Students with Disabilities. One application covers both. They help pay for disability-related education costs, such as tutors, note-takers and assistive technology. In some cases, assessment costs may be considered.
Deadlines apply, so check the current year's form on the OSAP website.
Support while you study
School stress can make ADHD and mental health symptoms harder to manage. Therapy can help you build routines, handle anxiety and keep going when things pile up. See how our ADHD counselling can help.
You can see us in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge or Ottawa, or by secure video from anywhere in Ontario.
Cost, billing and your first step
Therapy sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers. Coverage depends on your plan, so check with your insurer before you start.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. Let them know if you're looking for an assessment, help with forms or therapy, and they'll help you find a good fit.
If you're in crisis: if you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
Policy on accessible education for students with disabilities, Ontario Human Rights Commission
OSAP for under-represented learners: students with disabilities, Government of Ontario
OSAP forms, OSAP