Special Education
There are 14 categories of special education as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In order to qualify for special education, the IEP team must determine that a child has one of the following:There are 14 disability categories under IDEA.The categories are:
In order for the IEP team to QUALIFY a child for services, they must be found to have one of the 14 categories of special education and it must adversely affect their educational performance.
WHAT IS THE GOAL of SPECIAL EDUCATION?
Special education is a broad term used to by the law to describe specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of a child who has a disability. These services are provided by the public school system and are free of charge. Services can include instruction in the classroom, at home, in hospitals and institutions. Learning disabilities cover a wide spectrum of disorders ranging from mild to severe. They can include mental, physical, behavioral and emotional disabilities.
Special education makes it possible for your child to achieve academic success in the least restrictive environment despite their disability. The federal law governing the system is called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA. IDEA entitles all children with learning disabilities to a free appropriate education (FAPE). Examples of "appropriate" programs include:
A specific program or class for your child.
Access to specialists.
Modifications in the educational program such as curriculum and teaching methods.
There are hundreds of unfamiliar terms and acronyms in the IEP process. When you have time, I encourage you to review the terms and definitions appendix.
HOW TO GET STARTED?
If your child is struggling in school, having social or behavioral problems, or if you suspect they have one of the 14 categories of special education, you can request an evaluation. Some school districts request that you meet with your school's student study team (SST) before conducting an evaluation. If your child does not qualify for services under IDEA, they may qualify for modifications under Section 504 of the American Disabilities Act of 1973.
There are 14 categories of special education as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In order to qualify for special education, the IEP team must determine that a child has one of the following:There are 14 disability categories under IDEA.The categories are:
- Autism
- Deaf-Blindness
- Deafness
- Developmental Delay
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment Including Blindness
In order for the IEP team to QUALIFY a child for services, they must be found to have one of the 14 categories of special education and it must adversely affect their educational performance.
WHAT IS THE GOAL of SPECIAL EDUCATION?
Special education is a broad term used to by the law to describe specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of a child who has a disability. These services are provided by the public school system and are free of charge. Services can include instruction in the classroom, at home, in hospitals and institutions. Learning disabilities cover a wide spectrum of disorders ranging from mild to severe. They can include mental, physical, behavioral and emotional disabilities.
Special education makes it possible for your child to achieve academic success in the least restrictive environment despite their disability. The federal law governing the system is called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA. IDEA entitles all children with learning disabilities to a free appropriate education (FAPE). Examples of "appropriate" programs include:
A specific program or class for your child.
Access to specialists.
Modifications in the educational program such as curriculum and teaching methods.
There are hundreds of unfamiliar terms and acronyms in the IEP process. When you have time, I encourage you to review the terms and definitions appendix.
HOW TO GET STARTED?
If your child is struggling in school, having social or behavioral problems, or if you suspect they have one of the 14 categories of special education, you can request an evaluation. Some school districts request that you meet with your school's student study team (SST) before conducting an evaluation. If your child does not qualify for services under IDEA, they may qualify for modifications under Section 504 of the American Disabilities Act of 1973.