When it comes to writing strong Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and understanding eligibility, knowing the 13 disability categories under IDEA is key. These categories help determine if a student qualifies for special education services. But with so much paperwork and so many acronyms, it’s easy to forget the basics, especially when you’re juggling a full caseload.
Together, let’s walk through each of the 13 disability categories recognized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), so you know what each category means, how it might show up in the classroom, and the difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational label – all of which will help you stay grounded in what matters most, and that’s identifying needs, understanding students, and advocating with confidence.
Why Disability Categories Matter in Special Education
In order for a student to qualify for an IEP, they must be found eligible under at least one of the 13 categories. But qualifying isn’t just about having a diagnosis. The disability must also affect the child’s ability to learn in the general education setting without specially designed instruction (SDI).
This is where many teams get confused, especially when a student has a medical diagnosis but the student doesn’t meet the criteria for educational eligibility. So let’s break that down.
Medical Diagnosis vs. Educational Eligibility
A medical diagnosis comes from a doctor or licensed clinician. It tells you that a student has a condition like autism, ADHD, or anxiety.
An educational eligibility is decided by the IEP team. It asks: does this disability impact the student’s ability to access and make progress in the general education curriculum? If the answer is yes, and the impact is significant, then the team may find the child eligible for special education services.
It is possible for a student to have a medical diagnosis and not qualify for an IEP. It’s also possible for a student to qualify under an IEP category even if they don’t have a formal medical diagnosis. The key is educational impact.
The 13 Disability Categories Under IDEA
Let’s look at each category, what it means, and what you might notice as an educator (or as a parent or other IEP team member):
1. Autism
Autism affects communication, social skills, and behavior. Students may struggle with changes in routine, social interactions, or sensory input. The range of needs varies widely from student to student.
2. Deaf-Blindness
This is a combined hearing and vision impairment that causes communication and learning challenges. Students with deaf-blindness need highly individualized supports and instruction.
3. Deafness
Deafness refers to a significant hearing loss that impacts a student’s ability to hear spoken language, even with hearing aids. It may affect speech development and classroom communication.
4. Developmental Delay (DD)
This category is only for students ages 3 to 9 (and some states have more restrictions on age, so check your state regulations and policies). It’s used when a child is behind in one or more areas like speech, motor skills, or social-emotional development, but the exact disability isn’t clear yet.
5. Emotional Disturbance (ED)
ED includes serious emotional or behavioral challenges that make it hard for a student to learn. This might look like severe anxiety, depression, aggression, or difficulty with relationships. The behavior must last over time and be more than just a response to a tough situation.
6. Hearing Impairment
This includes any hearing loss that isn’t severe enough to be classified as deafness. Even mild hearing loss can affect classroom learning, especially with listening and speaking skills.
7. Intellectual Disability (ID)
ID is when a student has below-average intellectual ability and challenges with everyday life skills. They often need support with academics, social skills, and communication.
Learn more about understanding IQ scores here.
8. Multiple Disabilities
This category is used when a student has more than one disability that together make it very difficult to learn in a general education setting. For example, a student with both cerebral palsy and a cognitive disability.
9. Orthopedic Impairment
This refers to physical disabilities that impact a student’s ability to move or use their body. Examples include cerebral palsy, amputations, or muscle conditions.
10. Other Health Impairment (OHI)
OHI is one of the broadest categories. It includes conditions like ADHD, epilepsy, diabetes, and Tourette’s. These conditions must impact a student’s strength, energy, alertness, or ability to focus.
11. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
SLD is the most common category. It includes conditions like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Students with SLD may have average or above-average intelligence, but struggle with certain academic areas.
12. Speech or Language Impairment
This includes challenges with speech sounds, fluency, voice, or language understanding and use. It’s often identified early, especially in preschool and early elementary years.
You may also have students who have a Speech-Only IEP.
13. Visual Impairment
This refers to any vision problem, even with correction, that affects a child’s ability to learn. It includes partial sight, low vision, or blindness.
What Teachers Need to Know
Understanding these categories helps you better support your students, advocate at IEP meetings, and communicate with families. Remember, the label is just one part of the picture and does not define the student or his/her abilities. The real focus is on what the student needs to be successful to learn, grow, and thrive.
- PRO TIP: Use our IEP brochures to inform and educate your fellow IEP team members on the different eligibility categories.
You don’t have to be an expert in every category. But knowing the basics can help you ask the right questions, spot red flags, and build better IEPs that meet students where they are.
Knowing the 13 disability categories is important, but it’s just the beginning. Disability labels help teams organize services, but they don’t define your students (a label does not define a student!). Every child is more than a category. The real work is in getting to know the learner, not just the label.
If you’re writing IEPs, reviewing evals, or just trying to better support your students, keep this information handy. Come back to it anytime you need a refresher on what the categories mean and how they fit into the bigger picture of special education.
IEP writing doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game. The Intentional IEP gives you access to 10,000+ standards-aligned goals, expert-led trainings, and done-for-you data tools so you can write better IEPs with less stress. Join today and take the chaos out of the process!
