The 13 Categories of Disabilities 

The 13 categories listed above are the categories that are covered under the federal law Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. IDEA ensures that people with the disabilities that fall into one of the categories below are given the proper education with the necessary supports.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Category Breakdown:

 

• Autism

   Can also be called an autism spectrum disorder because it has many different variations. Individuals with disorders that fall on the autism spectrum typically tend to be less socially responsive than other people from a very young age. They sometimes have trouble speaking with inflection in their voices and tend to avoid physical contact like hugging for example. Since people with autism tend to feel awkward in social situations, they might have reoccurring habits or routines to help them feel more comfortable. Some people with autism spectrum disorders have above-average intelligences, while others have intellectual disabilities.

  Asperger’s Syndrome is now considered a type of autism. This disorder is characterized by an individual having a very narrow interest level and no interest in social interaction. However, if these students receive proper support from teachers and specialists, they can be very successful in school.

 

• Blindness/Deafness

  Individuals with Deaf-Blindness have very unique learning needs because they are affected by severe hearing and vision loss. The area that they struggle with most is communication because they need such unique ways to communicate.

 

• Emotional Disturbance

  This disorder can also be referred to as and emotional and behavioral disorder and is characterized by individuals responding inappropriately to social situations. They can also struggle with creating and maintaining personal relationships, like making and keeping friends. They may also be depressed or aggressive. They are not just students who occasionally act up in the classroom, but rather students who have chronic or serious issues emotionally and behaviorally. 

 

• Hearing Impairment

  Individuals who have a hearing impairment have trouble hearing different sounds or sometimes and sounds at all. They can be affected on many different levels depending on the severity of their hearing loss.

 

• Mental Retardation

  This disorder is characterized by a serious or severe limitation in intellectual ability. People with mental retardation are also known as people with an intellectual disability to reduce the effects of the stigma and stereotypes that are associated with the term “retardation”. Individuals with mental retardation learn slower than other people, and sometimes there is a point where they cannot learn anymore. It is caused by an underdevelopment of areas of the brain. 

 

• Multiple Disabilities

  Individuals that fall under this category have two or more disabilities. Individuals that fall into this category typically have an intellectual disability and a physical impairment.

 

• Orthopedic Impairment

  This disability is characterized by a physical impairment that prevents an individual from developing motor skills or move around. This category includes individuals who have been born with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, and also individuals who have been injured in serious accidents.

 

• Other Health Impairment

  This category can include any other illness or disability that may affect an individual so seriously that they are unable to learn or their learning is negatively affected. These illnesses can include cancer, diabetes, lupus, Crones, ADHD, or sickle cell anemia.

 

• Specific Learning Disability

  Individuals with learning disabilities have difficulty processing information. They may struggle with language-based activities or have trouble reading and writing without skipping letters. They may also have difficulty answering questions, picking out details in an image or piece of writing, staying organized, and following directions.

 

• Speech or Language Impairment

  This disability significantly affects the way that individuals communicate or articulate words in speech. Individuals can also have a stutter or experience problems with language fluency and speaking without omitting words. They can also experience difficulties with receiving and producing language.

 

• Traumatic Brain Injury

  This disability is characterized by several different characteristics. Individuals may have strength-related impairments, trouble staying alert, memory problems, hearing or vision loss, or sudden mood swings as a result of a traumatic injury to the head.

 

• Visual Impairment

  Individuals with this disability experience limited ability or inability to see things visually. Like a hearing impairment, there is a range of which individuals might experience vision loss, ranging from complete blindness to partial vision loss.

 

• Developmental Delay

  This category is slightly different because it was created for children who are three to nine years old and are experiencing significant delays in cognitive, physical, commination, or social emotional development. 

 

***Each state may have additional laws about who is covered under legislation for people with disaibilties and may refer to the different categories with slightly different names, but these 13 categories officially qualify under the federal law IDEA.

***Find more information about specific legislation for Illinois at www.illinois.gov