Understanding
What is Meant by
Other Health Impairment

What is Other Health Impairment?

Other Health Impairment (OHI) is one of the eligibility categories listed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under IDEA, a student who has “other health impairment” may be eligible for special education and related services to support the student and address his/her educational, developmental, and functional needs resulting from their disability.

OHI means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment due to a chronic or acute health problem, including but not limited to asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, leukemia, kidney disease, sickle cell anemia or Tourette syndrome. 

As a result of the child’s Other Health Impairment, as described above, the child is prevented from receiving reasonable educational benefit from general education without additional supports and services.