The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires public schools to provide special education and related services to eligible students. However, not all children who struggle in school qualify for special education services. To be covered, a child's school performance must be “negatively affected” by a disability in one of the 13 categories defined by IDEA. These 13 categories of special education are: Other Health Problems, Emotional Disorder, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Delay, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deafness, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, Multiple Disabilities and Orthopedic Impairment.
The category of “other health problems” includes conditions that limit a child's strength, energy or alertness. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one example of this type of disability. Mental health problems such as anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression can be included in the category of “emotional disorder”. An acquired brain injury caused by external physical force can also be included in the category of “traumatic brain injury”.
This type of injury results in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial deterioration which adversely affects the child's educational performance. Having multiple problems creates educational needs that cannot be met in a program designed for a single disability. This is why the category of “multiple disabilities” exists. A hearing impairment so severe that the child has problems processing linguistic information through hearing can be included in the category of “hearing impairment”.
Similarly, deterioration of vision that adversely affects the child's educational performance can be included in the category of “visual impairment”.Special education makes it possible for your child to achieve academic success in the least restrictive environment despite their disability. If your child is struggling in school, has social or behavioral problems or if you suspect they have one of the 13 categories of special education, you can request an evaluation. If your child is attending private school, special education law is only mandatory for public K-12 institutions. Special education is a broad term used by public K-12 school districts and the law (IDEA) to describe specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of a child who has been identified as a child with a specific learning disability.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures special education and related services for those children with disabilities who meet the requirements of appropriate and free public education throughout the country.
