The student must be assessed under the IDEA in all areas of suspected disability. Other Health Impairment or “OHI” is one of the areas of eligible disabilities under the IDEA.
A student with Other Health Impairment (OHI) is one who has been determined to meet the criteria for OHI due to chronic or acute health problems. OHI means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. The term “limited alertness” includes a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment. Health problems include, but are not limited to: asthma, attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette’s Disorder.
To assess for OHI, the District or Campus Assessment Personnel will comply with the general evaluation procedures. See [EVALUATION PROCEDURES]. In addition, a student’s eligibility for an other OHI must include identification or confirmation of student’s chronic or acute health problem provided by a licensed physician.
A referral for an OHI evaluation may be indicated when the District and/or the parent of the student suspects the student is exhibiting health problems characteristic of an OHI that adversely affects the student’s educational performance.
The evaluation will include information about how the health condition affects the student’s educational performance. An OHI form completed by a licensed physician, that identifies or confirms the student’s chronic or acute health problem is required before an ARD Committee can determine that a student is eligible as a student with OHI. If the student has a physician, the Campus or District Assessment Personnel may request that the student’s physician complete the OHI form. The Campus or District Assessment Personnel must request that the parent sign a Consent for Release of Information so that the Assessment Personnel may communicate with the student’s physician to complete the OHI form and provide any clarifying information to the ARD Committee. If the parent refuses to sign the release and/or the student does not have a regular physician, the District or Campus Assessment Personnel must arrange for the student to be evaluated by a District-provided physician.
The list of health conditions listed above is not an exhaustive list. A diagnosis of a medical or health condition alone does not determine eligibility for special education services. Not every student with a medical or health condition will meet the eligibility criteria as a student under the OHI category. The medical or health condition must adversely affect the student’s educational performance, and, by reason of the health condition, the student needs special education (specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of the student) or related services.
The members of the evaluation team for an OHI evaluation include, at a minimum, a Licensed Physician and the School Nurse or other District medical professional that can explain the educational implications of the health problem. Should the student have a suspected need for a related service(s), an evaluator in that area will also be a member of the evaluation team. However, it is critical that all evaluators understand the different diagnoses of health problems that may constitute Other Health Impairments and how they manifest in the school setting to ensure a valid evaluation. If a student has been identified with ADHD as the health problem by the Licensed Physician, a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology and/or other qualified personnel should also be included as part of the multidisciplinary team to assess the educational implications and/or social, emotional, or behavior supports needed for the student, based on the evaluation.
When District or Campus Assessment Personnel conduct a reevaluation of a student who has been identified as a student with OHI, an updated OHI form should be obtained from the student’s doctor, especially if the student’s health problem has changed or has manifested itself in different ways. If the student continues to have a health condition, but it no longer affects the student’s educational performance, the student will no longer qualify as a student with a disability under the IDEA.
If the student does not meet the eligibility criteria for OHI, 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.
Upon completion of the OHI evaluation, each member of the evaluation team should sign the FIE. If the student is eligible for special education as a student with an Other Health Impairment, 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). 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
Assessment Plan
Consent to Release Confidential Information
OHI Form and/or Physician Information
FIE
Disability Report: Orthopedic Impairment
ARD/IEP
Documentation for the state in TSDS, PEIMS, and SPP
[DISTRICT FORMS]
OSEP Letter to Williams (May 14, 1994) - U.S. Department of Education
OSEP Letter to Anonymous (Jan. 13, 2010) - U.S. Department of Education
Other Health Impairment - SPEDTEX
34 CFR Part 300.8(c)(9), 300.304(c)(4); 19 TAC 89.1040(b)-(c), 89.1050(a)(5)