High-Incidence Disabilities

  High-Incidence Disabilities

IDEA 13 DISABILITY CATEGORIES

There are 13 disability categories defined under IDEA. These definitions help determine who qualifies for a free and appropriate public education under IDEA. The following article explains the 13 disability categories and gives you a broad understanding of some of the characteristics of students who receive special education services.  

Article: IDEA 13 Disability Categories Links to an external site.

What to look for:

• What requirements do students need to meet to qualify to receive special education services under the IDEA Law?
• What ages can receive services under the IDEA Law?
• What does the phrase “adversely affects educational performance” mean?
• What are the 13 categories of disabilities served under IDEA?

You can expect to encounter students with any of the 13 disabilities in your future classroom, but we will highlight the most common disabilities in the next two lessons.

MEET JAMES

 

James is a student you will be working with throughout the semester. Read through his case study to learn more about his background. Then read about the two disabilities he struggles with.

Case Study: James Download James

SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY

James has a specific learning disability. SLD is a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language. SLD may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. Read the following article to learn more about SLD.

Article: Specific Learning Disability Links to an external site.

What to look for:

• What areas of learning might be affected by a specific learning disability?
• How are students identified as having a specific learning disability? How has that changed in recent years?
• A specific learning disability is not caused by speaking English as an additional language. What considerations need to occur to determine if a student has a specific learning disability, particularly if they are an English language learner?
• What accommodations and teacher supports work best for a student with a specific learning disability?

ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

James also has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which is a chronic condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and sometimes impulsivity. ADHD usually begins in childhood and often continues into adulthood. This article provides a detailed look at what it means for students to have ADHD. 

Article: ADHD Links to an external site. 

What to look for:

• What are the characteristics of the different types of ADHD?
• ADHD is a unique disability because it is not listed under the 13 disability categories of IDEA. How does a student with ADHD qualify for services under IDEA?  If a student with ADHD does not meet the requirements for receiving services under IDEA, what is another way they can receive services?
• What accommodations and supports work best for a student with ADHD? 

MEET BRITTANY

 

Brittany is a student who you will be working with during the course. Read her case study to learn more about her abilities and interests. Then complete the reading below to learn about her disability.

Case Study: Brittany Download Brittany

EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE

Brittany has an emotional disturbance. An emotional disturbance is a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance:

• An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
• An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.
• Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
• A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
• A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

This article provides a detailed look of what it means to have an emotional disturbance.

Article: Emotional Disturbance Links to an external site.

What to look for:

• What are some of the specific disorders students might be dealing with who have an emotional disturbance?
• Although typically developing children may have some behaviors related to an emotional disturbance, what must be present to determine that an emotional disturbance exists?
• What do we know about the cause of an emotional disturbance?
• What accommodations and supports work best for students with an emotional disturbance?

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS OR COMMUNICATIONS DISORDERS

Speech and language impairments or communication disorders are another category of high incidence disability. Although there is no case study for this disability, you will still be required to understand the information in this article.

Article: Speech and Language Impairments Links to an external site.

What to look for:

• What are the four areas that might be affected by a speech or language disorder?
• Language delay is a very important concern to watch for all children. Finding out what is causing a language delay and getting help right away can make a big difference for a child. What steps should you follow if you suspect language delay in your child?
• A speech or language impairment is not caused by speaking English as an additional language. A speech or language impairment occurs in the student's primary language. What does a school need to watch for to determine a language impairment, particularly for students who are English language learners?
• What accommodations and supports work best for a student with a speech and/or language impairment?

OPTIONAL READINGS

• Accommodations for Dyslexia  Links to an external site.
• Executive Functioning Issues in High School Links to an external site.
• Other Health Impairment Links to an external site.
• Mental Health Conditions Links to an external site.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Complete the closed book, closed note quiz for the readings.
2. Post in the discussion board.
3. Make sure you have signed up for the field experience.