Understanding the 13 Disability Categories &

Special Education Services

In California, a child may qualify for special education services if they meet criteria under one of the following disability categories and the disability impacts their ability to learn in school.

Click the links below for more information:

Categories of Disabilities under IDEA

Categorías de Discapacidades Bajo la Ley IDEA

Questions Often Asked by Parents about Special Education Services

Preguntas Comunes de los Padres sobre la Educación Especial

1. Specific Learning Disability (SLD) - Discapacidades Específicas del Aprendizaje

What it means: Your child has difficulty with specific academic skills such as reading, writing, spelling, or math that cannot be explained by lack of instruction.

Common examples: Dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia.

If your child qualifies: They may receive specialized academic instruction, tutoring support, and classroom accommodations to help them access the curriculum.

2. Other Health Impairment (OHI)

What it means: Your child has a medical or health condition that affects attention, energy, or alertness in school.

Common examples:
ADHD -- Desorden Deficitario de la Atención / Hiperactividad, epilepsy, diabetes, Tourette syndrome, or chronic health conditions.

If your child qualifies: They may receive support with attention, organization, behavior, and classroom accommodations.

3. Autism (AUT) - El Espectro del Autismo

What it means: Your child has differences in social communication, interaction, and behavior that affect learning and school participation.

Common signs: Difficulty with social communication, repetitive behaviors, sensory differences, or difficulty with change.

If your child qualifies: They may receive supports such as social skills instruction, behavioral supports, speech therapy, or structured learning environments.

4. Intellectual Disability (ID) - Discapacidades Intelectuales

What it means: Your child has significant challenges with intellectual functioning and everyday life skills.

Common signs:
Developmental delays, Down Syndrome -- El Síndrome de Down, slower learning pace, difficulty with problem-solving, and challenges with daily living skills.

If your child qualifies: They may receive individualized instruction focused on academics, life skills, and independence.

5. Multiple Disabilities (MD)

What it means: Your child has more than one disability that together impact learning.

If your child qualifies: They may receive highly individualized services addressing multiple areas of need.

6. Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)

What it means: Your child has difficulty communicating, understanding language, or producing speech sounds.

Common examples: Speech sound delays, language disorders, stuttering, or social communication difficulties.

If your child qualifies: They may receive speech and language therapy through the school.

7. Emotional Disability (ED)

What it means: Your child experiences significant emotional or behavioral challenges that affect their ability to learn and function in school.


Possible signs: Severe anxiety, depression, difficulty regulating emotions, or significant behavioral challenges.

If your child qualifies: They may receive counseling, behavioral supports, and specialized classroom supports.

8. Hearing Impairment (Hard of Hearing)

What it means: Your child has hearing loss that affects their ability to learn through listening.

If your child qualifies: They may receive hearing supports, assistive technology, and specialized instruction.

9. Visual Impairment (including blindness)

What it means: Your child has vision difficulties that impact their ability to access learning materials.

If your child qualifies: They may receive supports such as Braille instruction, assistive technology, or mobility training.

10. Deaf-Blindness

What it means: Your child has both hearing and vision loss, which significantly impacts communication and learning.

If your child qualifies: They may receive specialized instruction and communication supports.

11. Deafness


What it means: Your child has severe hearing loss that significantly affects communication and learning.

If your child qualifies: They may receive specialized instruction, communication support, and assistive technology.

12. Orthopedic Impairment (OI)

What it means: Your child has a physical disability that affects movement or physical functioning.

Common examples: Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or significant physical injuries.

If your child qualifies: They may receive physical supports, adaptive equipment, or therapy services.

13. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

What it means: Your child has experienced a brain injury that affects thinking, memory, attention, or behavior.

If your child qualifies: They may receive cognitive, academic, and behavioral supports tailored to their needs.