Understanding Special Education: 13 Eligibility Criteria

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 13 specific categories determine eligibility for special education services. These categories identify students who need individualized education programs (IEPs) to support their unique learning needs. "Every student in Special Education is different." - says Ilana Stoll, the Founder and CEO of Comprehensive Education Advocates of California. She added, "The planned educational program needs to be very specific and individualized. 

To find out your child's eligibility for special education, let’s explore these categories:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A developmental disability affecting communication and social interaction, typically evident before age three. 
   

2. Deaf-Blindness: Simultaneous hearing and visual impairments cause severe communication and developmental challenges. 

3. Deafness: Severe hearing impairments that hinder the processing of linguistic information, affecting educational performance. 

4. Developmental Delay: For children aged 3-9, covering delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social, or adaptive development. Early intervention is crucial. 

5. Emotional Disturbance: Long-term behavioral or emotional issues impacting learning, including relationship difficulties and pervasive unhappiness. #MentalHealth #EmotionalSupport

6. Hearing Impairment: Hearing impairments affect educational performance but are not classified as deafness.

7. Intellectual Disability: Significantly below-average intellectual functioning with adaptive behavior deficits. 

8. Multiple Disabilities: Simultaneous impairments, like intellectual disability and blindness, create complex educational needs. 

9. Orthopedic Impairment: Severe orthopedic conditions affecting educational performance due to congenital anomalies, diseases, or other causes. 

10. Other Health Impairment (OHI): Health issues such as asthma, ADHD, diabetes, or epilepsy that limit strength and alertness, impacting educational performance. 

11. Specific Learning Disability (SLD): Disorders in basic psychological processes affecting language and mathematical skills, including dyslexia and dyscalculia. 

12. Speech or Language Impairment: Disorders like stuttering or impaired articulation affect educational performance. 

13. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Brain injuries from external forces result in functional disabilities and educational challenges. 

Students must be assessed and found eligible under one of these categories to receive special education services. These services are essential for addressing unique challenges and promoting academic success. 

If you need help determining whether your child qualifies for Special Education or are seeking help with your child's growth, don't hesitate to book a consultation on the Comprehensive Education Advocates of California site here.