What are the 13 categories for determining student eligibility for special education? How are they practically (and legally) applied? In this episode, Amanda and I break down the different categories and explain, from a legal standpoint, what is necessary to be eligible under each one.

For the full show transcript, please visit our website here.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What the 13 eligibility categories for special education under the Federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are

Why it’s more important to get through the door of eligibility rather than being concerned over which door to get through

What does "specific learning disability" mean?

Once you get through the eligibility door, that is when each child should receive an individual education plan (IEP)

Why the medical diagnosis of a learning disability is different than the IEP in an academic setting

Aside from the medical side of the disability affecting learning, there’s the processing side. What is that?

What an emotional disturbance is

Which eligibility categories require additional services

What are the practical application of these eligibility categories

Resources Mentioned

UCI Law School legal clinics

https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm (DSM-5)

Ca Education Code Section 56043

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player of choice.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I23ctmblttqsbc4kagaccwm453a ( Google Play.) It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

https://www.facebook.com/IEPcalifornia/ (Facebook)

https://www.instagram.com/iepcalifornia/ (Instagram)

http://www.iepcalifornia.org (IEP website)