1. Learning Disabilities
Description: Learning disabilities affect how a person processes information. They are not related to intelligence but to difficulties with specific skills.
- Dyslexia: Affects reading skills. Individuals may struggle with decoding words, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.
- Dysgraphia: Affects writing abilities. Individuals may have trouble with handwriting, spelling, and organizing thoughts on paper.
- Dyscalculia: Affects math skills. Individuals may struggle with number sense, math calculations, and understanding math concepts.
2. Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Description: Emotional and behavioral disorders impact a student’s ability to function effectively in a school environment.
- Anxiety Disorders: Includes conditions like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety that cause excessive worry or fear.
- Depression: A mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest in activities.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Affects attention, impulse control, and activity levels. Symptoms include difficulty focusing, following instructions, and staying organized.
3. Intellectual Disabilities
Description: Intellectual disabilities affect general cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior.
- Down Syndrome: A genetic disorder causing developmental delays, intellectual disability, and characteristic physical features.
- Other Cognitive Impairments: Conditions that affect intellectual development and learning abilities, such as Fragile X Syndrome or Prader-Willi Syndrome.
4. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Description: A range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication.
- Autism: A developmental disorder that impacts how a person thinks, interacts, and experiences the world.
- Asperger’s Syndrome: A type of autism where individuals may have high functioning but still experience challenges with social interactions and communication.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): A diagnosis for individuals who have some symptoms of autism but do not meet the criteria for other specific autism diagnoses.
5. Sensory Impairments
Description: Sensory impairments affect the senses of hearing and vision.
- Hearing Impairments: Includes conditions such as deafness or partial hearing loss. May require hearing aids, sign language, or speech therapy.
- Visual Impairments: Includes blindness or low vision. May require braille, large print materials, or other accommodations for learning.
6. Physical Disabilities
Description: Physical disabilities affect a person’s mobility or physical functioning.
- Cerebral Palsy: A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle coordination caused by brain damage before, during, or after birth.
- Muscular Dystrophy: A genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord that can result in varying degrees of paralysis or mobility challenges.
7. Speech and Language Disorders
Description: These disorders affect a person’s ability to communicate effectively.
- Speech Impediments: Problems with the production of speech sounds, such as stuttering or lisping.
- Language Delays: Difficulties with understanding or using spoken language, including delays in developing vocabulary or forming sentences.
8. Autism Spectrum Disorders
Description: A range of conditions characterized by challenges with communication, social interactions, and repetitive behaviors.
- Autistic Disorder: Known for severe symptoms that affect daily life significantly.
- Asperger Syndrome: A milder form of autism where individuals often have average to above-average intelligence but struggle with social interactions.
- PDD-NOS: A category for individuals with some symptoms of autism but not fitting into specific types like Autistic Disorder or Asperger Syndrome.
9. Multiple Disabilities
Description: Individuals with more than one type of disability, requiring a combination of services and supports.
- Examples: A student might have both a physical disability and a learning disability. Services would need to address both conditions simultaneously.
10. Health Impairments
Description: Conditions that can affect a child’s educational performance due to chronic or acute health issues.
- Chronic Illnesses: Includes conditions like asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy that can affect school attendance and performance.
- Severe Health Conditions: Conditions requiring frequent medical attention or impacting overall health and energy levels.