EDC Special Education Eligibility & Disability Classifications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT one of the 13 IDEA disability categories?
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Correct answer)
- Deaf-Blindness
- Multiple Disabilities
Correct answer: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is not its own IDEA category; students with ADHD typically qualify under Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, or Emotional Disturbance depending on their needs.
Question 2: To qualify under the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) category, a student must demonstrate which of the following?
- A significant IQ-achievement discrepancy score only
- A disorder in one or more basic psychological processes affecting academic skills (Correct answer)
- Below-average intelligence impacting multiple academic areas
- A neurological impairment confirmed by a licensed physician
Correct answer: A disorder in one or more basic psychological processes affecting academic skills
SLD is defined as a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, which affects the student's ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or calculate.
Question 3: Under IDEA, the 'Developmental Delay' category may be used for children in what age range?
- Birth to age 3 only
- Ages 3 through 9 (or up to age 9 at state discretion) (Correct answer)
- Ages 5 through 12
- Birth through age 21
Correct answer: Ages 3 through 9 (or up to age 9 at state discretion)
IDEA allows states to use the Developmental Delay category for children ages 3 through 9, providing flexibility in labeling young children before more specific disability categories are applied.
Question 4: A student who has both a significant hearing impairment and a significant visual impairment would be classified under which IDEA category?
- Hearing Impairment AND Visual Impairment listed as a dual category
- Multiple Disabilities
- Deaf-Blindness (Correct answer)
- Other Health Impairment
Correct answer: Deaf-Blindness
Deaf-Blindness is a distinct IDEA category for students with combined hearing and visual impairments that create severe communication, developmental, and educational needs not served by programs for either impairment alone.
Question 5: Which federal law is the primary statute governing special education eligibility and services in public schools?
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Correct answer)
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Correct answer: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA is the primary federal law governing special education, establishing eligibility criteria, evaluation procedures, IEP requirements, and placement options for students with disabilities.
Question 6: What distinguishes an 'Emotional Disturbance' (ED) eligibility under IDEA from social maladjustment?
- ED requires a formal psychiatric diagnosis from a licensed psychiatrist
- ED must be present for at least two years before eligibility can be granted
- ED involves characteristics such as inability to learn, relationship problems, or inappropriate feelings; social maladjustment alone does not qualify (Correct answer)
- ED only applies to students who also have autism or intellectual disabilities
Correct answer: ED involves characteristics such as inability to learn, relationship problems, or inappropriate feelings; social maladjustment alone does not qualify
IDEA's definition of Emotional Disturbance requires specific characteristics adversely affecting educational performance, and explicitly excludes social maladjustment as a sole basis for eligibility.
Question 7: Under IDEA, how long does a school district typically have to complete an initial evaluation after receiving written parental consent?
- 30 calendar days
- 45 school days
- 60 days (or the state-established timeline) (Correct answer)
- 90 calendar days
Correct answer: 60 days (or the state-established timeline)
IDEA requires that initial evaluations be completed within 60 days of receiving written parental consent, unless the state has established a different timeline.
EDC Special Education Eligibility & Disability Classifications 2
Which of the following is NOT one of the 13 IDEA disability categories?