IDEA Disability Category  >  Speech or Language Impairment Speech or Language Impairment This category covers difficulties with speech or language. A common example is stuttering. Other examples are trouble pronouncing words or making sounds with the voice. It also covers language problems that make it hard for kids to understand words or express themselves. Federal […]

IDEA Disability Category  >  Emotional Disturbance Emotional Disturbance Various mental health issues can fall under the “emotional disturbance” category. They may include anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. (Some of these may also be covered under “other health impairment.”) Federal Definition of Emotional Distrubance (i) Emotional disturbance means a condition exhibiting one or […]

IDEA Disability Category  > Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ASD is a developmental disability. It involves a wide range of symptoms, but it mainly affects a child’s social and communication skills. It can also impact behavior. Federal Definition of ASD (i) Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social […]

IDEA Disability Category > Other Health Impairments IDEA Disability Category > Other Health Impairments IDEA Disability Category > Other Health Impairments Other Health Impairments The “other health impairment” category covers conditions that limit a child’s strength, energy, or alertness. One example is ADHD, which impacts attention and executive function. Other Health Impairments The “other health impairment” […]

IDEA Disability Category > Specific Learning Disability Specific Learning Disability (SLD) The “specific learning disability” (SLD) category covers a specific group of learning challenges. These conditions affect a child’s ability to read, write, listen, speak, reason, or do math. Federal Definition of SLD The term “specific learning disability” means a disorder in 1 or more […]

IDEA Disability Category   >   Specific Learning Disability Specific Learning Disability (SLD) The “specific learning disability” (SLD) category covers a specific group of learning challenges. These conditions affect a child’s ability to read, write, listen, speak, reason, or do math. IDEA Disability Category   >   Specific Learning Disability IDEA Disability Category   >   Specific Learning Disability Federal Definition […]

Traumatic Brain Injury This is a brain injury caused by an accident or some kind of physical force. Federal Definition of TBI (12) Traumatic brain injury means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a […]

Intellectual Disability (ID) Kids with this type of disability have below-average intellectual ability. They may also have poor communication, self-care, and social skills. Down syndrome is one example of a condition that involves an intellectual disability. Federal Definition of ID (6) Intellectual disability means significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive […]

Orthopedic Impairment (OI) An orthopedic impairment is when kids lack function or ability in their bodies. An example is cerebral palsy. https://youtu.be/QsX_zrCMPEchttps://youtu.be/kfLMfL-Rbl0?si=gt98Q4_5B7ZA8l_7 Federal Definition of OI (8) Orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., […]

Deaf-Blindness Kids with a diagnosis of deaf-blindness have both severe hearing and vision loss. Their communication and other needs are so unique that programs for just the deaf or blind can’t meet them. Federal Definition of DB (2) Deaf-blindness means concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other […]