1. Autism

Autism is a developmental disability that significantly affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Students with autism may experience challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, social relationships, sensory processing, and adapting to changes in routine. 

2. Deaf-Blindness

Deaf blindness is the combination of hearing and vision impairments that creates significant educational challenges. Students often require specialized communication methods, assistive technology, and individualized support.

3. Deaf and Hard of Hearing 

A hearing impairment is a hearing loss that affects educational performance.  Students may benefit from accommodation, assistive listening technology, speech-language services, and classroom modifications.

Deafness is a hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, resulting in an adverse effect on the child’s educational performance. 

4. Developmental Delay

For younger children (typically ages 2 through 8, depending on state regulations), developmental delay refers to significant delays in one or more developmental areas, such as cognitive, physical, communication, social-emotional, or adaptive development. Virginia and Maryland permit the use of this category for eligible young children within the age range established by state regulations.

5. Emotional Disability (Emotional Disturbance under IDEA)

Students with an emotional disability experience emotional or behavioral challenges that adversely affect educational performance over an extended period. These challenges may include anxiety, depression, difficulty building relationships, inappropriate behaviors or feelings, or pervasive unhappiness.

6. Intellectual Disability

An intellectual disability involves significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that originate during the developmental period. Students often receive instruction focused on academic, functional, communication, and independent living skills.

7. Multiple Disabilities

Multiple disabilities refer to the presence of two or more disabilities that together create educational needs requiring specialized services specific to each area of disability, beyond those provided for a single disability.

8. Orthopedic Impairment

Orthopedic impairments include severe physical disabilities caused by congenital conditions, diseases, or injuries. Students may require physical accommodation, assistive technology, occupational therapy, or physical therapy to access their educational program.

9. Other Health Impairment (OHI)

Other Health Impairment includes chronic or acute health conditions that limit a student’s strength, vitality, or alertness and adversely affect educational performance. Examples may include ADHD, epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell disease, Tourette syndrome, and heart conditions.

10. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

A Specific Learning Disability affects a student’s ability to understand, or use spoken or written language. Students may experience difficulties with reading, writing, mathematics, listening comprehension, or written expression despite receiving appropriate instruction.

11. Speech or Language Impairment

Speech or language impairments involve communication disorders such as articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders (stuttering), or voice disorders that negatively affect educational performance. Speech-language pathologists play a key role in evaluation and intervention.

12. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic Brain Injury is an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force. A TBI may affect cognition, memory, attention, communication, behavior, physical functioning, or social skills, requiring individualized educational support.

13. Visual Impairment, Including Blindness

Visual impairment includes partial sight or blindness that cannot be corrected adequately with standard glasses or contact lenses and adversely affects educational performance. Students may receive services such as Braille instruction, orientation and mobility training, large-print materials, or assistive technology.