Parents, Knowing How Special Education Can Be Initiated Is the First Step! by Pepi Silverman

Words are powerful tools when seeking help for a child struggling in school. When considering whether your child may require special education services, it is important to know the categories of eligibility within the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): 

1. Autism 
2. Deaf-blindness 
3. Deafness 
4. Emotional disability 
5. Hearing impairment 
6. Cognitive impairment 
7. Multiple disabilities 
8. Orthopedic impairment 
9. Other health impairment 
10. Specific learning disability 
11. Speech/language impairment 
12. Traumatic brain injury 
13. Visual impairment 

The services that come with eligibility can provide meaningful educational opportunities for the students who receive them. A Free Appropriate Public Education is the law and these categories ensure that the services necessary are provided.