Thirteen Disability Categories Under IDEA

Study Notes

Thirteen Disability Categories Under IDEA

Autism

Definition: A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction.
Characteristics:
- Includes repetitive behaviors or interests.
- May have varying degrees of severity.
- Onset typically before age three.
Supports: Tailored interventions focusing on communication, social skills, and behavioral issues.

Deafness

Definition: A hearing impairment that is so severe that the child cannot process linguistic information through hearing.
Characteristics:
- Considered a complete inability to hear.
- Affects educational performance, requiring specialized instruction.
Supports: Utilization of sign language, hearing aids, and other adaptive technologies.

Hearing Impairment

Definition: A partial loss of hearing that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.
Characteristics:
- Varies in degree from mild to profound.
- Can be congenital or acquired.
Supports: Use of hearing aids, speech therapy, auditory training, and classroom accommodations.

Emotional Disturbance

Definition: A condition exhibiting one or more specified characteristics over a long period that adversely affects educational performance.
Characteristics:
- Includes difficulties in relationships, inappropriate behaviors, unhappiness, and physical symptoms of fear.
- May manifest in mood disorders or anxiety disorders.
Supports: Behavioral interventions, counseling, and social skills training to promote emotional regulation and social interaction.

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

Definition: A disorder that affects one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using spoken or written language.
Characteristics:
- Includes difficulties with reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), and math (dyscalculia).
- Typically identified through a pattern of strengths and weaknesses relative to age and ability.
Supports: Individualized education programs (IEPs), specialized instruction, and accommodations such as extended time on tests.

Autism

A developmental disability characterized by significant challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and may involve repetitive behaviors or interests.
Can vary in severity but typically manifests before age three.
Interventions focus on communication, social skills, and managing challenging behaviors.

Deafness

A hearing impairment so severe that the child cannot understand language through hearing.
It signifies a total inability to hear and significantly affects educational performance requiring specialized instruction.
Supports include sign language, hearing aids, and other assistive technologies.

Hearing Impairment

Partial loss of hearing that negatively affects a child's learning.
Can range from mild to profound and may be present at birth or acquired later.
Requires hearing aids, speech therapy, auditory training, and classroom modifications to aid learning.

Emotional Disturbance

A condition affecting a child's educational performance that demonstrates one or more characteristics over a long period.
Characteristics include difficulties in relationships, inappropriate behaviors, persistent unhappiness, and physical manifestations of anxiety.
May involve mood disorders or anxiety disorders.
Supports include behavioral interventions, counseling, and social skills training to promote emotional regulation and social interaction.

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

A disorder impacting one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using written or spoken language.
Includes difficulties with reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), and mathematics (dyscalculia).
Identified by a pattern of strengths and weaknesses compared to a child's age and abilities.
Requires individualized education programs (IEPs), specialized instruction, and accommodations like extended time on tests.

Description

This quiz explores the thirteen disability categories defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), focusing on their definitions, characteristics, and support strategies. It covers disabilities such as Autism, Deafness, and Hearing Impairment, providing insights into their educational implications.