# data[].attributes.body
Banaszak, B. (2022). Emotional disturbance | definition, prevalence & symptoms - study.com. What is Emotional Disturbance? https://study.com/academy/lesson/emotional-disturbance-definition-symptoms.html

Heimduo. (2020, September 25). What are the examples of intellectual disability? https://heimduo.org/what-are-the-examples-of-intellectual-disability/

Lee, A. M. I. (2023, October 5). Idea disability categories. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/conditions-covered-under-idea

professional, C. C. medical. (2023, August). Hearing loss. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17673-hearing-loss

Westerkamp, H. (2011, April 5). Teaching strategies for students with Communication Disorders. BrightHub Education. https://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-speech-disorders/113025-strategies-used-to-teach-students-with-speech-impairments/

Ideal, P. (2013). Disability categories. Project IDEAL. https://www.projectidealonline.org/v/disability-categories/

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At a glance

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to provide special education services to eligible students.

IDEA covers 13 disability categories.

Not every student who struggles in school qualifies.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to provide special education and related services 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:

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 executive function.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Having a disability is not enough to qualify for special education. The disability has to have an "adverse effect" on a child's education.

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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See a list of the 13 IDEA disability categories. Find out which disabilities can qualify kids for special education.

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Definition: Partially or completely blind/ having eyesight problems. Does not qualify if eyewear can correct the vision problem.
Characteristics:

Glaucoma

Retinopathy of prematurity

Cataracts

Retinal detachment

Macular degeneration

Diabetic retinopathy

Cortical visual impairment

Infection and trauma.
Examples:

Amblyopia- "lazy eye"

Strabismus- eyes looking in different directions

Prevalence: low-  12.2 per 1,000
3 Teaching Strategies:

Using larger texted books

Explaining visuals with great detail

Use bright-colored objects for contrast

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Links updated, April 2017
Table of Contents

Julian's Story

When Julian was almost two years old, he developed this adorable habit of closing one eye when he looked at you. It almost seemed as if he were winking. The possibility that Julian had a visual impairment didn't initially occur to his parents, but when Julian's left eye started crossing inward toward his nose...

Off they went to the eye doctor, who confirmed that, yes, Julian had a visual impairment-, often called "lazy eye." As the most common cause of vision problems in children, amblyopia is the medical term used when vision in one eye is reduced because that eye and the brain are not working together properly. ( 1) Julian was also very farsighted, especially in the eye he'd taken to closing.

Soon Julian had a brand-new pair of durable glasses suited to his active two-year-old self. The eye doctor also put an eyepatch over Julian's better eye, so that he would have to use the weaker eye and strengthen its communication with the brain. Otherwise, the eye doctor said, the brain would begin to ignore the images sent by the weaker eye, resulting in permanent vision problems in that eye.

Julian took good care of his glasses, but he didn't take well to the patch, unfortunately. He ripped it off every time his parents put it on...and back on... and back on again. So today his eye still turns inward if he doesn't wear his glasses.

Visual Impairments in Children

Vision is one of our five senses. Being able to see gives us tremendous access to learning about the world around us-people's faces and the subtleties of expression, what different things look like and how big they are, and the physical environments where we live and move, including approaching hazards.

When a child has a visual impairment, it is cause for immediate attention. That's because so much learning typically occurs visually. When vision loss goes undetected, children are delayed in developing a wide range of skills. While they can do virtually all the activities and tasks that sighted children take for granted, children who are visually impaired often need to learn to do them in a different way or using different tools or materials. ( 2) Central to their learning will be touching, listening, smelling, tasting, moving, and using whatever vision they have. ( 3) The assistance of parents, family members, friends, caregivers, and educators can be indispensable in that process. More will be said about this in a moment.

Types of Visual Impairment

Not all visual impairments are the same, although the umbrella term "visual impairment" may be used to describe generally the consequence of an eye condition or disorder.

The eye has different parts that work together to create our ability to see. When a part of the eye doesn't work right or communicate well with the brain, vision is impaired.

To understand the particular visual impairment a child has, it's helpful to understand the anatomy of the eye and the functions of its different parts. Rather than go into those details here, in this general fact sheet, we're pleased to refer you to the experts for easy-to-understand explanations and diagrams of the visual system.

National Eye Institute |
Visit the Institute online for a diagram of the eye, what different parts are called, and what aspect of vision each part is responsible for.
https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/eyediagram

Most of us are familiar with visual impairments such as near-sightedness and far-sightedness. Less familiar visual impairments include:

strabismus, where the eyes look in different directions and do not focus simultaneously on a single point;

congenital cataracts, where the lens of the eye is cloudy;

retinopathy of prematurity, which may occur in premature babies when the light-sensitive retina hasn't developed sufficiently before birth;

retinitis pigmentosa, a rare inherited disease that slowly destroys the retina;

coloboma, where a portion of the structure of the eye is missing;

optic nerve hypoplasia, which is caused by underdeveloped fibers in the optic nerve and which affects depth perception, sensitivity to light, and acuity of vision; and

cortical visual impairment (CVI), which is caused by damage to the part of the brain related to vision, not to the eyes themselves.

There are also numerous other eye conditions that can cause visual impairment. For a more comprehensive glossary of conditions, here are two resource pages you'll find helpful:

Because there are many different causes of visual impairment, the degree of impairment a child experiences can range from mild to severe (up to, and including, blindness). The degree of impairment will depend on:

the particular eye condition a child has;

what aspect of the visual system is affected (e.g., ability to detect light, shape, or color; ability to see things at a distance, up close, or peripherally); and

how much correction is possible through glasses, contacts, medicine, or surgery.

The term "blindness" does not necessarily mean that a child cannot see anything at all. A child who is considered legally blind may very well be able to see light, shapes, colors, and objects (albeit indistinctly). Having such residual vision can be a valuable asset for the child in learning, movement, and life.

Signs of a Visual Impairment

It's very important to diagnose and address visual impairment in children as soon as possible. Some vision screening may occur at birth, especially if the baby is born prematurely or there's a family history of vision problems, but baby wellness visits as early as six months should also include basic vision screening to ensure that a little one's eyes are developing and functioning as might be expected.

That said, common signs that a child may have a visual impairment include the following.

Eyes that don't move together when following an object or a face

Crossed eyes, eyes that turn out or in, eyes that flutter from side to side or up and down, or eyes that do not seem to focus

Eyes that bulge, dance, or bounce in rapid rhythmic movements

Pupils that are unequal in size or that appear white instead of black

Repeated shutting or covering of one eye (as noticed with Julian)

Unusual degree of clumsiness, such as frequent bumping into things or knocking things over

Frequent squinting, blinking, eye-rubbing, or face crunching, especially when there's no bright light present

Sitting too close to the TV or holding toys and books too close to the face

Avoiding tasks and activities that require good vision ( 4)

If any of these symptoms are present, parents will want to have their child's eyes professionally examined. Early detection and treatment are very important to the child's development.

How Common are Visual Impairments?

Very common, especially as we grow older. But there are many causes of visual impairments that have nothing to do with the aging process, and children certainly can be-and are-affected. In the U.S., there are approximately:

455,462 children with vision difficulty (the term "vision difficulty" refers only to children who have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses and those who are blind.) (5)

42,000 children with a severe vision impairment (unable to see words and letters in ordinary newsprint) (6)

61,739 children in educational settings who are legally blind (7)

Each year States must report to the U.S. Department of Education how many children with visual impairments received special education and related services in our schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the nation's special education law. Data for the school year 2015-16 indicate that the following numbers of children were served in the U.S. and its outlying areas:

2,799 children (ages 3-5) with visual impairment (8)

24,944 children (ages 6-21) with visual impairment (9)

Understanding How Children with Visual Impairments Learn

Children with visual impairments can certainly learn and do learn well, but they lack the easy access to visual learning that sighted children have. The enormous amount of learning that takes place via vision must now be achieved using other senses and methods.

are a primary information-gathering tool for children with visual impairments. So are the senses of smell, touch, taste, and hearing. Until the child holds the "thing" to be learned and explores its dimensions-let us say, a stuffed animal, a dog, a salt shaker, or a CD player -he or she cannot grasp its details. That is why sensory learning is so powerful for children with visual impairment and why they need to have as many opportunities as possible to experience objects directly and sensorially.

Families, friends, and others can support sensorial learning in many ways.

"Mmmm. Do you smell dinner?" appeals to the child's sense of smell.

"Listen to that bird singing outside" calls to the child's hearing. You might also say, "That's a robin," which gives the child a name for the bird that sings the song he or she is hearing.

"Your clothes are so soft today" speaks to the child's sense of touch and helps the child build a picture of the "whole" from the many details. ( 10)

Being able to see enables us to capture the "whole" of an object immediately. This isn't so for children with a visual impairment. They cannot see the "whole," they have to work from the details up to build an understanding of the whole.

The Help Available under IDEA

If you suspect (or know) that your child has a visual impairment, you'll be pleased to know there's a lot of help available under IDEA-beginning with a free evaluation of your child. IDEA requires that all children suspected of having a disability be evaluated without cost to their parents to determine if they do have a disability and, because of the disability, need special services under IDEA. Those special services are:

Early intervention | A system of services to support infants and toddlers with disabilities (before their 3rd birthday) and their families.

Special education and related services | Services available through the public school system for school-aged children, including preschoolers (ages 3-21).

Visual impairment, including blindness, is one of the disabilities specifically mentioned and defined in IDEA. If a child meets the definition of visual impairment in IDEA as well as the State's criteria (if any), then he or she is eligible to receive early intervention services or special education and related services under IDEA (depending on his or her age).

To identify the EI program in your neighborhood
Ask your child's pediatrician for a referral. You can also call the local hospital's maternity ward or pediatric ward, and ask for the contact information of the local early intervention program.

Accessing special education and related services
If your child is between 3 and 21 years of age, we recommend that you get in touch with your local public school system. Calling the public school in your neighborhood is an excellent place to start. The school should be able to tell you the next steps to having your child evaluated free of charge. If found eligible, your child can begin receiving services specially designed to address his or her educational needs and other needs associated with the disability.

Developing a written plan of services
In both cases-in early intervention for a baby or toddler with a visual impairment and in special education for a school-aged child, parents work together with program professionals to develop a plan of services the child will receive based on his or her needs. In early intervention, that plan is called theIFSP (individualized family service plan). In special education, the plan is called the IEP (individualized education program). Parents are part of the team that develops their child's IFSP or IEP.

There's a lot to know about early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities and about special education and related services for school-aged children. Find out more about these crucial services for eligible children with visual impairments, beginning at:

How IDEA Defines Visual Impairment

IDEA provides the nation with definitions of many disabilities that can make children eligible for special education and related services in schools. Visual impairment is one such disability the law defines-as follows:
Visual impairment including blindness...
...means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness. [§300.8(c)(13)]

Working with the Medical Community

If you have a child with a visual impairment, you'll probably find yourself dealing with a variety of eye care professionals who become involved to diagnose and address your child's specific disability or eye condition. Wondering who these professionals might be, what qualifications they should have, and what kind of expertise they can bring to your child's care?

Family Connect is an excellent source of this information. Family Connect is an online, multimedia community created by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI). We suggest you download (or read online) Family Connect's toolkit called Working with Medical Professionals. The toolkit is available online in English and Spanish, at:
http://www.familyconnect.org/info/after-the-diagnosis/working-with-medical-professionals/13

Need a glossary? |Becoming familiar with medical terminology relating to the visual system may also prove helpful, especially when talking to medical professionals and reading about your child's impairment. If you're baffled by the terms you hear, visit the Glossary of Eye Terminology, which lists common terms that eye doctors use when discussing symptoms, tests, treatments, surgery, diseases and conditions, and the anatomy of the eye. The glossary's online at: http://www.eyeglossary.net/

Adapting the Environment

Making adaptations to the environment where a child with a visual impairment lives, works, or plays makes evident sense, but it may be difficult for families, daycare providers, or school personnel to decide what kinds of adaptations are necessary to ensure the child's safety while also encouraging his or her ability to do things independently.

Two resources you can consult, depending on your role in the child's life, are:

Family Connect | Adapting Your Home
http://www.familyconnect.org/info/browse-by-age/infants-and-toddlers/parenting-and-family-life-iandt/adapting-your-home/1235

IRIS Center | Offers a professional development module for teachers called Accommodations to the Physical Environment: Setting up a Classroom for Students with Visual Disabilities.
https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/v01-clearview/

Educational Considerations

Children with visual impairments need to learn the same subjects and academic skills as their sighted peers, although they will probably do so in adapted ways. They must also learn an expanded set of skills that are distinctly vision-related, including learning how to:

move about safely and independently, which is known as orientation and mobility (O&M);

use assistive technologies designed for children with visual impairments;

use what residual vision they have effectively and efficiently; and

read and write in Braille, if determined appropriate by the IEP team of the child after a thorough evaluation. (11)

These are just some of the skills that need to be discussed by the student's IEP team and included in the IEP, if the team decides that's appropriate. Each of the above skill areas-and more-can be addressed under the umbrella of special education and related services for a child with a visual impairment.

Tips for Teachers

-Learn as much as you can about the student's specific visual impairment. What aspects of vision are affected, and how does that affect the student's ability to move about the classroom, see the board, or read a textbook? Parents (and the student!) can be an excellent source of this information.

- Learn about the many instructional and classroom accommodations that truly help students with visual impairments learn. We've listed a few in the resource section. Strongly support the student by making sure that needed accommodations are provided for classwork, homework, and testing. These will help the student learn successfully.

-If you are not part of the student's IEP team, ask for a copy of his or her IEP. The student's educational goals will be listed there, as well as the services and classroom accommodations he or she is to receive.

- Consult with others (e.g., special educators, the O&M specialist) who can help you identify strategies for teaching and supporting this student, ways to adapt the curriculum, and how to address the student's IEP goals in your classroom.

-Find out if your state or school district has materials or resources available to help educators address the learning needs of children with visual impairments. It's amazing how many do!

-Communicate with the student's parents. Regularly share information about how the student is doing at school and at home.

Tips for Parents

- Learn as much as you can about your child's specific visual impairment. The more you know, the more you can help yourself and your child.

-Understand that your child is receiving small bits of information at a time, not all at once through vision. Help your child explore new things with his or her senses and build up a concept of the "whole." For example, your child might need to be shown a banana, help you peel it, feel the banana without its skin, have a bite of it, and then help you mash it in her bowl to understand the qualities of bananas and that bananas can be eaten in different ways. ( 12)

- Encourage curiosity and explore new things and places often with your child. Give lots of opportunity to touch and investigate objects, ask questions, and hear explanations of what something is, where it comes from, and so on.

-Learn how to adapt your home, given the range and degree of your child's visual impairment. Help your son or daughter explore the house and learn to navigate it safely.

-Encourage your child's independence by letting him or her do things, rather than you doing them. Teach how to do a chore by using hands-on guidance, give lots of practice opportunities with feedback. Now, your child knows the skill, too.

- Work with the early interventionists or school staff (depending on your child's age) to build a solid individualized plan of services and supports that address your child's unique developmental and educational needs.

- Talk to other parents of children who have visual impairments similar to your child's. They can be a great source of support and insight in the challenges and joys of raising a child with vision problems. Many of the organizations we've listed in the Resources section have state or local chapters you can contact. You can also visit Parent to Parent, which specializes in teaming new parents up with veteran parents of children with similar disabilities. P2P is online at: http://www.p2pusa.org/p2pusa/sitepages/p2p-home.aspx

- Keep in touch with the professionals working with your child. Offer support. Demonstrate any assistive technology your child uses and provide any information teachers will need. Find out how you can augment your child's learning at home.

Resources of More Information

In alphabetical order, here's a starter list of organizations providing info on visual impairments, including blindness. Explore the sites below and the wealth of material they offer to families, services providers, and educators. We also include helpful resources and accessible materials for those with visual impairments.
Organizations to Consult
American Council of the Blind
800.424.8666 | http://www.acb.org

American Foundation for the Blind
Find services in your state at the link below.
http://www.afb.org/directory.aspx

American Printing House for the Blind
800.223.1839 | http://www.aph.org/

Family Connect
http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.asp (English)
http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.asp?lang=esp (Spanish)

Foundation Fighting Blindness
800.683.5555 | 800.683.5551 (TTY)
Find your local chapter | http://www.blindness.org/local-chapters
http://www.blindness.org/ (English)
http://www.blindness.org/en-espanol (Spanish)

Lighthouse Guild
800.284.4422 | http://www.lighthouseguild.org/

National Braille Association
http://www.nationalbraille.org/

National Braille Press
888.965.8965 | http://www.nbp.org

National Federation of the Blind
http://www.nfb.org/

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/nls/

National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
http://www.nei.nih.gov/ (English)
https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/espanol (Spanish)

Prevent Blindness America
800.331.2020 | http://www.preventblindness.org
Accessible Materials Other Helpful Resources
Are You the Parent of a Blind Child?
http://www.acb.org/node/392

AEM Navigator
The AEM Navigator is an interactive tool that facilitates the process of decision-making around accessible instructional materials for an individual student.
http://aem.cast.org/navigating/aem-navigator.html#.WOPpYzvyuUk

References

1 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2015, September). Common eye disorders: Amblyopia. Atlanta, GA: Author. Online at:
https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/index.html

2 | American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Accommodations and modifications at a glance: Educational accommodations for students who are blind or visually impaired. Retrieved April 4, 2017 from the Family Connect website:
http://www.familyconnect.org/info/education/know-your-rights/accommodations-and-modifications-at-a-glance/235

3 | American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). What's different about the way visually impaired children learn? Retrieved April 4, 2017 from the Family Connect website: http://www.familyconnect.org/info/browse-by-age/infants-and-toddlers/education-iandt/whats-different-about-the-way-visually-impaired-children-learn/1235

4 | American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Preschool vision: 2 to 5 years of age. St. Louis, MO: Author. Online at: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/good-vision-throughout-life/childrens-vision/preschool-vision-2-to-5-years-of-age?sso=y

5 | American Foundation for the Blind. (2017, January). Children and youth with vision loss. New York: Author. Online at: http://www.afb.org/info/blindness-statistics/children-and-youth/children-and-youth-with-vision-loss/235

6 | Lighthouse International. (n.d.). Prevalence of visual impairment. No longer available online.

7 | American Foundation for the Blind. (2017, January). Children and youth with vision loss. New York: Author. Online at: http://www.afb.org/info/blindness-statistics/children-and-youth/children-and-youth-with-vision-loss/235

8 | U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. (2016, July). Table 1-2. Number of children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B, by disability category and state: 2015-2016. Online at: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/osepidea/618-data/static-tables/2015-2016/part-b/child-count-and-educational-environment/1516-bchildcountandedenvironment-2.xlsx

9 | U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. (2016, July). Table 1-3. Number of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, by disability category and state:2015-2016. Online at: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/osepidea/618-data/static-tables/2015-2016/part-b/child-count-and-educational-environment/1516-bchildcountandedenvironment-3.xlsx

10 | American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Promoting your baby's growth and development. Retrieved April 4, 2017 from the Family Connect website: http://www.familyconnect.org/info/browse-by-age/infants-and-toddlers/growth-and-development-iandt/promoting-your-babys-growth-and-development/1235

11 | American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). The expanded core curriculum. Retrieved April 4, 2017 from the Family Connect website:
http://www.familyconnect.org/info/education/know-your-rights/expanded-core-curriculum/235

12 | American Foundation for the Blind. (2011). What's different about the way visually impaired children learn? Retrieved April 4, 2017 from the Family Connect website:
http://www.familyconnect.org/info/browse-by-age/infants-and-toddlers/education-iandt/whats-different-about-the-way-visually-impaired-children-learn/1235

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Links updated, April 2017 Table of Contents When Julian was almost two years old, he developed this adorable habit of closing one eye when he looked at you. It almost seemed as if he were winking. The possibility that Julian had a visual impairment didn't initially occur to his parents, but when Julian's left eye started crossing inward toward his nose...

# data[].attributes.body
Definition: Lack of function or ability in the body including impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, disease, and other causes.
Characteristics:

Spastic (very tight muscles occurring in one or more muscle groups that result in stiff, uncoordinated movements)

Athetoid (movements are contorted, abnormal, and purposeless)

Ataxic (poor balance and equilibrium in addition to uncoordinated voluntary movement)

Mixed

Examples:

Cerebral palsy

Poliomyelitis

Bone tuberculosis

Cerebral palsy

Amputations

Fractures or burns that cause contractures
Prevalence: Low- 1.1%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Keep items within reach

For writing difficulties try using tape recorders instead

Use table-type desks

# data[].attributes.body
Definition: Conditions that limit a child’s strength, energy, vitality, or alertness due to chronic health problems.
Characteristics:

Fatigue

Mobility issues

Issues involving attention

Coordination difficulties

Muscle weakness

Frequent absences or lateness to school

Stamina

Inability to concentrate for long periods of time

Examples:

Attention deficit disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Diabetes

Epilepsy

Cardiac conditions

Leukemia

Sickle cell anemia

Prevalence: Low- 7.6%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Allow extra time for these students to shift from one activity or environment to the next

Clearly define your goal

Keep these schedules as consistent as possible

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Other Health Impairment  - The IDEA's Special Education Categories

# data[].attributes.body
Definition: below-average intellectual ability. They may also have poor communication, self-care, and social skills.
Characteristics:

Limitations in intellectual functioning - memory recall, task and skill generalization

Limitations in adaptive behavior- difficulties with conceptual skills, social skills, and practical skills.
Examples:

Autism

Asperger Syndrome

Down syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Fragile X syndrome

Heller’s Syndrome

Prevalence: Both high and low incidence-9.6%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Use clear simplified (non-belittling) language

Ask their thoughts and allow them to answer

Speak clearly not loudly

# data[].attributes.body
Definition: A communication disorder that adversely affects a child's ability to talk, understand, read, and write.
Characteristics:

Articulation disorders

Fluency disorders

Voice disorders

Examples:

Apraxia

Stuttering and Cluttering

Dysarthria

Lisping

Muteness

Spasmodic Dysphonia

Aphasia

Speech delay
Prevalence: high- 20%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Providing scribes

Allowing more time for a student to complete activities, assignments, and tests

Modifying activities- written activities instead of oral

# data[].attributes.body
Definition: A disorder with one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding spoken or written
Characteristics:

Academic problems

Disorders of attention

Poor motor abilities

Psychological process deficits and information

Examples:

Dyslexia

Dyscalculia

Dysgraphia

Prevalence: high -47.4% of all children receiving special education services

3 Teaching Strategies:

Dividing large groups of information into smaller chunks

Use written cues such as highlighting target words

Use audiobooks or text-to-speech software

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Definition: ASD is a developmental disability that affects a child’s social skills, communication skills, and behavior.
Characteristics:

Seeking attention/avoiding attention

Not making any eye contact

Lack pragmatic language

Difficulty with personal hygiene

Social disconnect

Examples:

Asperger's syndrome

Pervasive developmental disorder

Childhood disintegrative disorder

Prevalence: Both high and low incidence- 10 per 10,000
3 Teaching Strategies:

Using assistive technology with written or verbal labels

Use instructional goals in the daily routines of the student

Design classroom and instructional materials to contain visual supports and cues

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Autism Spectrum Disorder - Overview, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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Definition: An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance but that is not included under the definition of deafness.
Characteristics:

not participating in cooperative play or learning activities

not startled by loud noise

asking people to repeat themselves

trouble following a conversation

saying "huh" a lot

Examples:

Conductive hearing loss- something keeps sound from passing through your outer ear or your middle ear

Sensorineural hearing loss- when something damages your inner ear over time

Mixed hearing loss- a mix of conductive and sensorineural

Prevalence: Low- 1.2%

3 Teaching Strategies:

Use a sound-amplifying device (microphone)

Allow preferential seating with a direct view of your face and mouth

Use visuals and hands-on activities

Don't speak while facing away from students

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Definition: a brain injury caused by an accident or some kind of physical force.
Characteristics:
Impairments in...

cognition

language

memory

attention

reasoning

judgment

speech

Examples:
Problems with...

Behavioral/Emotional Symptoms

Social Skills Development

Cognitive Symptoms

Medical/Neurological Symptoms

Prevalence: Low- 5% to 8%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Provide repetition and consistency

Demonstrate new tasks, state instructions, and provide examples to illustrate ideas and concepts

Avoid figurative language

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Definition: Having more than one condition covered by IDEA.
Characteristics:
Defifits in...

Intellectual functioning

Adaptive skills

Motor skills

Sensory functioning

Communication skills

Examples:

Intellectual disabilities

Orthopedic impairment

Prevalence: low- 2.2%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Set timelines for each educational objective

Virtual Assistant

Peer tutoring that is reciprocal

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Definition: Long-term conditions that have a serious negative impact on a child's educational performance and experience.
Characteristics:

Responding to a situation with inappropriate behavior or emotion- example) long term unhappiness

Difficulty time maintaining personal relationships with others

Mental illness

Examples:

anxiety disorder

schizophrenia

bipolar disorder

obsessive-compulsive disorder

depression

Prevalence: high- 7.7%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Mental health services- example) Guidance Counselor

Allowing students to choose between classroom tasks

Word processing software to edit and revise work

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Definition: Both severe hearing and vision loss. Communication and other needs are so unique that programs for just the deaf or blind can’t meet them.
Characteristics:

Multiple Congenital Anomalies- example) fetal alcohol syndrome

Head injury/ trauma

Examples:
Deaf and Blind
Prevalence: Low-  0.03%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Fingerspelling

Touch cues

Braille translation software: converts print into Braille and Braille into print

Optical character reader: converts printed text into files that can be translated into audible speech

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Definition: Inability to hear most or all sounds, even with a hearing aid.
Characteristics:

Having a degree of language delay

Difficulty following verbal directions

Difficulty with oral expression

Examples:

Deafness

Prevalence: Low- 20.8%
3 Teaching Strategies:

Captioned or interpreted videos

Use of sign language

Written handouts and visual aids