A student must be assessed in all areas of suspected disability. A student may be identified under the IDEA as a student with multiple disabilities. In meeting the criteria for multiple disabilities, a student with multiple disabilities is one who has a combination of impairments that causes such severe educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for one of the impairments occurring at the same time, and who meets all of the following conditions:
The disabilities are expected to continue indefinitely; and
The disabilities severely impair the student's performance in two or more of the following areas:
Psychomotor skills;
Self-care skills;
Communication;
Social and emotional development; or
Cognition.
Multiple disabilities means does not include deaf-blindness. See [DEAF-BLINDNESS].
A student who has more than one disability, but who does not meet the criteria above must not be classified or reported as having multiple disabilities.
The District or Campus Assessment Personnel will comply with all requirements set out in state and federal law when conducting an evaluation to determine if a student meets eligibility criteria for multiple disabilities. See [EVALUATION PROCEDURES]. In addition, the group of qualified professionals that collects or reviews evaluation data in connection with the determination of the student’s disability based on multiple disabilities impairment must include the members required in two or more of the applicable specific eligibility evaluation procedures. See [EVALUATION].
In determining if a student qualifies as a student with multiple disabilities, it is important to know which individual disabilities are involved, how severe each disability is, and how each disability can affect learning and daily living. The District or Campus Assessment Personnel will also consider how the combination of disabilities affects the student’s learning and functioning. A key part to the eligibility criteria for multiple disabilities is that the combination of disabilities causes the student to have severe educational needs. A referral for a multiple disability evaluation may be indicated when the Campus Personnel and/or the parent of the student suspects the student is exhibiting characteristics of more than one disability the combination of which severely affects the student’s educational performance.
If the student does not meet the eligibility criteria for multiple disabilities, or any other eligibility criteria under the IDEA, or does not need special education or related services due to his/her disability, Campus Personnel should refer the student to the Campus or District Personnel responsible for compliance with Section 504 to determine whether the student is eligible for accommodations or services as a student with a disability under Section 504.
The District will conduct all necessary initial evaluations and reevaluations to identify this disability condition in accordance with state and federal laws. See [EVALUATION PROCEDURES].
Upon determination of the student’s eligibility in the area of Multiple Disabilities, each member of the evaluation team shall sign the FIE. If the student is eligible for special education as a student with Multiple Disabilities, a Disability Report in this area will be completed.
The District will maintain documentation requirements of compliance associated with Texas Student Data System (TSDS), Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS), and State Performance Plan (SPP). In regard to MD, the Special Education Administrator shall ensure that the correct coding is verified for TSDS/PEIMS for all students identified with Multiple Disabilities. District staff will provide training, with follow up, to ensure the documentation required is in place and compliant. District staff will provide training, with follow up, to ensure the documentation required is in place and compliant.
Notice of Evaluation
Consent for Evaluation
Referral Information
FIE
Disability Report: Intellectual Disability
ARD/IEP
Documentation for the state in TSDS, PEIMS, and SPP
Multiple Disabilities - SPEDTEX
34 CFR Part 300.8(c), 300.304(c)(4); 19 TAC. 89.1040(b)–(c), 89.1050