Chapter 16
Determining Whether
A Disability Exists: Eligibility Criteria
Brief Summary
In this chapter you will learn about the eligibility criteria for each of the 13 IDEIA disabilities. After
reading this chapter, you should be able to understand the following:
• Diagnosing a disability
• Overview of special education eligibility
• Eligibility criteria for the following 13 IDEIA disabilities:
Autism
Deaf-Blindness
Developmental Delay
Emotional Disturbance
Hearing Impairments
Intellectual Disabilities
Learning Disabilities
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairments
Other Health Impairments
Speech & Language Impairments
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment
Lecture and Discussion Outline
I. Diagnosing a Disability
II. Overview of Special Education Eligibility
III. Eligibility Criteria for IDEIA Disabilities
A. Autism
B. Deaf-Blindness
C. Developmental Delay
D. Emotional Disturbance
E. Hearing Impairments
F. Intellectual Disabilities
G. Learning Disabilities
H. Multiple Disabilities
I. Orthopedic Impairments
J. Other Health Impairments
K. Speech & Language Impairments
L. Traumatic Brain Injury
M. Visual Impairment
IV. Conclusion
Essay Questions
▪ List, you do not have to explain, those disabilities that are considered higher prevalence and
lower prevalence disabilities.