Disability Category

(Currently recognized by
IDEA04)

Description
(According to IDEA 04)

Specific Learning Disabilities A disorder in which an

individuals basic
psychological processes are
functioning below average.
Specifically, the individual
may have trouble with
understanding/using spoken
and or written language,
doing mathematical
calculations, coordinate
movement, and directing
attention. For example,
dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Hearing
When a student has hearing
Impairments/Deafness
loss so severe they cannot
hear without help from a
hearing aid, or have complete
loss of hearing. This impacts
their ability to process spoken
and auditory information.

Characteristics
(According to IDEA 04)

Unexpected
underachievement
Unable to solve
problems
Memory deficits
Unable to generalize
Disorganized
Dependent
Unable to predict
social consequences

Does not startle at

loud noises
Does not turn to the
source of a sound after
6 months of age
Does not say single
words, such as dada
or mama by 1 year of
age
Turns head when he or
she sees you but not if
you only call out his
or her name.
Seems to hear some
sounds but not others
Speech is delayed
Speech is not clear
Does not follow
directions.
Often says, Huh?
Turns the TV volume
up to high

Visual Impairments

Speech/Language
Impairments

Student has lack of vision

resulting in partial blindness,
or complete loss of vision in
which cannot even see light.
This poor vision cannot be
corrected with glasses or
contact lenses.

Although speech and

language differ a little, these
two impairments go hand in
hand. A speech impairment
has to do with a persons
inability to properly produce
speech. The persons speech
often sounds unpleasant,
unintelligible and interferes
with effective
communication. Some types
being stuttering, unusual
pitch or loudness.
A language impairment also
interrupts communication and
accurate understanding of the
messages/interactions that are
trying to be sent from one
individual to the other.

Educational delays
even though student
may have normal
intelligence
Often relies on audio
information
Receives print in
enlarged font.
Language delays
Stuttering
Language differences
Articulation errors

Emotional or Behavioral
Disorders

This means a condition in

which the child shows
inappropriate, troubling,
sometimes aggressive
behaviors that negatively
impact the students
academic performance.

Orthopedic Impairments

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Defined as a severe physical

impairment that negatively
impacts the students
academic performance. For
example, loss of a limb due
to amputation, or born
without a limb, clubfoot, or
other impairments caused by
diseases such as cerebral
palsy or seizure disorders.
Can range from mild to
severe.
Defined as persistent deficits
in social communication and
interactions. Ranges is
severity, individual often has
trouble with social cues,
making eye contact. Some
engage in repetitive
movements.

Unable to learn that

cannot be explained
by intellectual, or
health factors
General mood of
unhappiness or
depression
Inappropriate
behaviors, has
tantrums
Violates basic rights of
peers
Hostile, physically
aggressive, defiant
Muscle weakness
Trouble with
coordination and
balance
Trouble walking,
needs supports
Seizures

Restricted, repetitive
patterns of
behavior/movements,
interests, or activities
Slow to respond to
their names or other
verbal cues
Slow to develop
gestures such as
pointing
Delayed speech
development

Traumatic Brain Injury

Multiple Disabilities

Other Health Impairments

(ADHD)

Intellectual Disabilities

Deaf-Blindness

Defined as a hit/blow/jolt to
the head that results in
serious damage to the
students brain causing
memory deficits, attentions
problems, language
impairments, reduced
academic performance. Can
range from mild to severe.
Most mild being a concussion
Defined as a student having
more than one disability and
or condition, resulting in
unique special needs. This
does not include DeafBlindness.

Described as conditions and

or diseases that require
special health care needs for
the student due to limited
strength, or alertness. ADHD
has recently been added to
this category.
Also known as Mental
Retardation, according to the
IDEA 04 definition,
intellectual disabilities are
defined as significant below
average intellectual
functioning, coexisting with
deficits in adaptive behavior.
It typically begins in the
developmental period.
This is a dual sensory
impairment in which the
student has experienced
partial or complete loss of
their hearing and vision.

Difficulty thinking
clearly
Trouble concentrating
Memory deficits
If concussed, appeared
dazed/confused
Seizures

Limited
speech/communicatio
n
Difficulty in basic
physical mobility
Difficulty generalizing
from one situation to
another
Fatigue
Absences
Inconsistency in
paying attention
Muscle Weakness
Loss of physical
coordination
IQ of 70 or below
Trouble with adaptive
behavior
Need for supports to
maintain any
independence

Difficulty
communicating
Uses sign language
and or body language
to communicate