The 13 Disability Categories Under IDEA

The 13 disability categories under IDEA
understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/special-education-basics/conditions-covered-under-idea
By Andrew M.I. Lee, JD
At a Glance
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires
public schools to provide special education services to eligible
students.
IDEA covers 13 disability categories.
Not every student who struggles in school qualifies.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to provide
and to eligible students. But not every child who struggles in school qualifies. To be
covered, a child’s school performance must be “adversely affected” by a disability in one of
the 13 categories below.
1. Specific learning disability (SLD)

The umbrella term “SLD” covers a specific group of learning challenges. These conditions
affect a child’s ability to read, write, listen, speak, reason, or do math. Here’s what could
fall in this category:
Dyslexia
Dysgraphia
Dyscalculia
Auditory processing disorder
Nonverbal learning disability
SLD is the most common category under IDEA. In 2018, 34 percent of students who
qualified did so under this category.
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2. 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.
3. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

ASD is a developmental disability. It covers a wide range of symptoms, but it mainly affects
a child’s social and communication skills. It can also impact behavior.
4. 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.”)
5. Speech or 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.
6. 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.
7. Deafness
Kids with a diagnosis of deafness fall under this category. These are kids who can’t hear
most or all sounds, even with a hearing aid.
8. 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.
9. Deaf-blindness
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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.
10. Orthopedic impairment

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

Kids with this type of disability have below-average intellectual ability. They may also have
poor communication, self-care, and social skills. Down syndrome is one example of an
intellectual disability.
12. Traumatic brain injury

This is a brain injury caused by an accident or some kind of physical force.
13. 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.
Learn how to find out if a child is eligible for special education. When kids are found
eligible, the next step will be to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP). For kids
who are in preschool or younger, you may want to learn about early intervention.
Key Takeaways
Each of the 13 disability categories in IDEA can cover a range of
difficulties.
Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia fall under the “specific

learning disability” category.
“Other health impairment” can cover ADHD.
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The 13 disability categories under IDEA

By Andrew M.I. Lee, JD

IDEA covers 13 disability categories.

Not every student who struggles in school qualifies.

1. Specific learning disability (SLD)

Auditory processing disorder

Nonverbal learning disability

3. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

5. Speech or language impairment

6. Visual impairment, including blindness

10. Orthopedic impairment

11. Intellectual disability

12. Traumatic brain injury

13. Multiple disabilities

Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia fall under the “specific

“Other health impairment” can cover ADHD.

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