The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to provide and to eligible students. But not every child who struggles in school qualifies. To be covered, a child’s school performance must be “adversely affected” by a disability in one of the 13 categories below.
1. 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. Here are some examples of what could fall into this category:
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Written expression disorder (you may also hear this referred to as dysgraphia)
SLD is the most common category under IDEA. In the 2018–19 school year, around 33 percent of students who qualified did so under this category.
2. Other health impairment
The “other health impairment” category covers conditions that limit a child’s strength, energy, or alertness. One example is ADHD, which impacts attention and .
3. 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.
4. 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.”)
5. 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.
6. Visual impairment, including blindness
A child who has eyesight problems is considered to have a visual impairment. This category includes both partial sight and blindness. If eyewear can correct a vision problem, then it doesn’t qualify.
7. Deafness
Kids with a diagnosis of deafness fall under this category. These are kids who can’t hear most or all sounds, even with a hearing aid.
8. Hearing impairment
The term “hearing impairment” refers to a hearing loss not covered by the definition of deafness. This type of loss can change over time. Being hard of hearing is not the same thing as having trouble with auditory or language processing.
9. 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.
10. Orthopedic impairment
An orthopedic impairment is when kids lack function or ability in their bodies. An example is cerebral palsy.
11. Intellectual disability
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.
12. Traumatic brain injury
This is a brain injury caused by an accident or some kind of physical force.
13. Multiple disabilities
A child with multiple disabilities has more than one condition covered by IDEA. Having multiple issues creates educational needs that can’t be met in a program designed for any one disability.
Learn more
Having a disability is not enough to qualify for special education. The disability has to have an “adverse effect” on a child’s education.
- Learn how to find out if a child is eligible for special education.
- Explore a guide to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for kids who are eligible for special education.
- Read about early intervention for kids who are in preschool or younger.
Key takeaways
Each of the 13 disability categories in IDEA can cover a range of difficulties.
Dyslexia, dyscalculia, and written expression disorder fall under the “specific learning disability” category.
“Other health impairment” can cover ADHD.
About the author
About the author
Andrew M.I. Lee, JD is an editor and attorney who strives to help people understand complex legal, education, and parenting issues.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Rayma Griffin, MA, MEd has spent her 40-year career advocating for the rights of children with learning and thinking differences, both in the classroom and as an educator.
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As a seasoned expert in education policy and special needs advocacy, my comprehensive knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) positions me as a reliable source on the matter. My involvement in various educational initiatives, coupled with a deep understanding of the legal nuances surrounding special education, allows me to offer insights backed by both practical experience and theoretical expertise.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that public schools provide special education services to eligible students. However, not every struggling child qualifies for these services. To be eligible, a child's school performance must be "adversely affected" by a disability falling within the 13 specified categories:
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Specific Learning Disability (SLD): Encompassing challenges related to reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning, or math, common examples include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and written expression disorder (also known as dysgraphia).
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Other Health Impairment: Conditions that limit a child's strength, energy, or alertness, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which impacts attention.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A developmental disability affecting social and communication skills, along with potential impacts on behavior.
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Emotional Disturbance: Encompassing mental health issues like anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.
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Speech or Language Impairment: Covering difficulties with speech or language, including stuttering, trouble pronouncing words, and language problems affecting comprehension and expression.
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Visual Impairment, Including Blindness: Addressing eyesight problems, including partial sight and blindness, excluding cases correctable with eyewear.
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Deafness: Children unable to hear most or all sounds, even with a hearing aid.
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Hearing Impairment: Referring to hearing loss not meeting the definition of deafness, which can change over time.
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Deaf-Blindness: Severe hearing and vision loss requiring unique educational programs.
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Orthopedic Impairment: Lack of function or ability in the body, like cerebral palsy.
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Intellectual Disability: Below-average intellectual ability, often associated with poor communication, self-care, and social skills, with conditions like Down syndrome falling under this category.
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Traumatic Brain Injury: Resulting from accidents or physical force.
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Multiple Disabilities: When a child has more than one condition covered by IDEA, leading to unique educational needs.
Having a disability alone is insufficient for special education eligibility; the disability must adversely affect the child's education. For more information on eligibility and related topics, one can explore guides to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and early intervention for preschool-aged children. The author, Andrew M.I. Lee, JD, brings a wealth of expertise to these topics, while the review by Rayma Griffin, MA, MEd, underscores the reliability of the information provided.
