Disability Resource Center

Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD is developmental disability; it covers a wide range of symptoms but mainly affects a child's social and communication skills.  Behavior can also be impacted.  

Deafness

Kids who can’t hear most or all sounds, even with a hearing aid. 

Deaf-Blindness

Kids with a diagnosis of deaf-blindness have both severe hearing and vision loss. Their communication and other needs are so unique that programs for just the deaf or blind can’t meet them 

Emotional Disturbance

Various mental health issues can fall under the “emotional disturbance” category. They may include anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression . (Some of these may also be covered under “other health impairment.”) 

Hearing Impairment

The term “hearing impairment” refers to a hearing loss not covered by the definition of deafness. This type of loss can change over time. Being hard of hearing is not the same thing as having trouble with auditory or language processing. 

Intellectual Disability

An intellectual disability is a significant limitation in a student's cognitive functioning and daily adaptive behaviors. The student may have limited language or impaired speech and may not perform well academically.

Multiple Disabilities

A child with multiple disabilities has more than one condition covered by IDEA. Having multiple issues creates educational needs that can’t be met in a program designed for any one disability. 

Other Health Impairment

The umbrella term “other health impairment” covers conditions that limit a child’s strength, energy, or alertness. One example is ADHD , which impacts attention and executive function . 

Orthopedic Impairment

An orthopedic impairment is when kids lack function or ability in their bodies. An example is cerebral palsy. 

Specific Learning Disabilities

These conditions affects a child's ability to read, write, listen, reason and do math.

1. Oral Expression

2. Listening Comprehension

3. Written Expression

4. Basic Reading Skills

5. Reading Comprehension

6. Reading Fluency Skills

7. Mathematical Calculation

8. Mathematical Problem Solving

Speech and Language Impairment

This category covers difficulties with speech or language . A common example is stuttering. Other examples are trouble pronouncing words or making sounds with the voice. It also covers language problems that make it hard for kids to understand words or express themselves. 

Traumatic Brain Injury

This is a brain injury caused by an accident or some kind of physical force. 

Visual Impairment including Blindness

A child who has eyesight problems is considered to have a visual impairment. This category includes both partial sight and blindness. If eyewear can correct a vision problem, then it doesn’t qualify.