 IDEA is a federal law that helps millions of children with disabilities to receive special services designed to meet their unique needs  Under IDEA in Pennsylvania, the following age groups and program are covered: Early Intervention Ages infants, toddlers and preschool children Special Education and Related Services School age (Kindergarten thru 21 years of age)

 Children receive a full individual evaluation that includes the following: Free of cost Determine a disability category Learn more about what services the child might benefit from  If there is a suspected disability, The parent should contact a pediatrician who should be able to assist in finding an evaluating agency.

 A plan created by the IEP team: teachers, administrators, parents and sometimes the student  This plan focuses on: Current academic and functional (i.e. behavior, medical, attendance, etc.) levels Annual Measureable Goals Related Services (i.e. speech, occupational therapy) Accommodations  This plan is reviewed annually by the IEP team

 When the student reaches 14 years old, the IEP Team is required to develop a Transition Plan for one or more of the following: Postsecondary Education & Training Employment Independent Living

Medical Diagnosis Disability Categories  A physician (one who graduated from medical school) gives a child a diagnosis after parent input and physical examination. Dyslexia Anxiety Disorder Bipolar Disorder Medical condition (Section 504 Plan)  There are many possible medical diagnosis!  These are classifications that are identified by a school psychologist and an interdisciplinary team.  There are 13 categories under IDEA.  Often, students who are identified will have an IEP developed for them.

 Under IDEA, there are 13 disability categories.  Remember… IDEA disability is different than a medical disability.

 Developmental disability that affects verbal/nonverbal communication and social interaction.  “Autism” comes from the Greek word “auto” which means self.

 Condition in which the student has difficulty maintaining relationships, behaving appropriately in school and shows signs of unhappiness or depression.

 Impairment to hearing whether permanent or changing that affects educational performance.

 A physical impairment caused by cerebral palsy, amputations, fractures, or burns that affects educational performance...

 A medical condition that negatively impacts a student’s educational performance such as diabetes, asthma, ADD/ADHD or Tourette’s Syndrome.

 A disorder that impacts how the brain is able to learn concepts and use skills in reading, math or writing.  Often, students with SLD experience difficulty in at least one area (i.e. reading, math or writing).  This disability does not reflect a student’s IQ. Anyone from the very bright to the very low functioning can have a SLD.

 This disability makes it difficult for a student to communicate their thoughts and feelings clearly.  This could include stuttering or a voice impairment.

 An injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial functioning abilities.

 An impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance.  The term include both partial sight and blindness.

 Deaf-Blindness Means the combination of hearing and visual impairments that causes severe communication issues.  Deafness Means a hearing impairment so severe that a child has trouble learning.  Intellectual Disability Means very low functioning intellectual ability.  Multiple Disabilities Means a combination of disabilities such as intellectual disability with blindness or intellectual disability with orthopedic impairment. This term does not include deaf-blindness.