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The 13 IDEA Disability Categories
Extended Learning Resources
Welcome! This page contains video resources, evidence-based strategies, and support team guidance for each of the 13 IDEA disability categories. Bookmark it for easy reference in your classroom.
A Complete Reference for K–12 Educators
Each section below includes a curated video resource and evidence-based classroom strategies. Use this alongside your Studee Monkey chart for a complete picture of each disability category.
✅ Universal Best Practices — Effective Across All Disabilities
- Differentiated instruction
- Flexible grouping
- Clear routines and expectations
- Visual + verbal instruction
- Frequent formative assessment
Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Difficulty with reading, writing, or math processing
Teachings in Education (2017) — Specific Learning Disability: Categories of Students with Disabilities
Core Strategies
- Explicit, systematic instruction (phonics-based reading)
- Scaffolded instruction (I do → We do → You do)
- Graphic organizers and guided notes
- Frequent progress monitoring
Tools & Supports
- Decodable texts, structured literacy programs
- Digital organizers (e.g., Google Docs templates)
- Wilson Reading System
- Paragraph frames for writing
👥 Support Team
Reading Specialist: Provides targeted literacy interventions and helps teachers implement reading strategies and progress monitoring.
Special Education Teacher: Adapts instruction, provides accommodations, and supports IEP goal implementation.
Intellectual Disability
Below-average cognitive functioning with adaptive skill delays
Special Olympics (2018) — Intellectual Disability Video
Core Strategies
- Task analysis (step-by-step instruction)
- Repetition and overlearning
- Concrete, real-life examples
- Visual supports and modeling
Tools & Supports
- Visual schedules and manipulatives
- Adapted materials
- Life skills practice (telling time, money)
👥 Support Team
School Psychologist: Assists with assessments, behavioral supports, and adaptive skill planning.
Occupational Therapist (OT): Supports fine motor skills, sensory regulation, and functional classroom participation.
Developmental Delay
Delayed development in early childhood areas
Ellie Sanford (2017) — Global Developmental Delay
Core Strategies
- Play-based, experiential learning
- Language-rich instruction
- Visual routines and repetition
- Early intervention collaboration
Tools & Supports
- Picture schedules and manipulatives
- Learning centers with hands-on exploration
- Teacher narration to build vocabulary
👥 Support Team
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): Supports communication, vocabulary development, and language processing.
Early Intervention Specialist: Helps develop age-appropriate academic, social, and developmental skills.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Affects communication, behavior, and social interaction
Nip in the Bud (2020) — Autism Spectrum: Tips For Teachers
Core Strategies
- Visual schedules and structured routines
- Social skills instruction
- Sensory supports
- ABA-informed strategies
Tools & Supports
- Visual supports and timers
- Sensory tools and calm-down area
- Visual schedule apps (e.g., Choiceworks)
👥 Support Team
Occupational Therapist (OT): Assists with sensory processing, self-regulation, and fine motor skills.
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): Supports communication, social interaction, and pragmatic language development.
Emotional Disturbance
Mental health condition impacting learning
Teachings in Education (2019) — EBD: Emotional Behavioral Disorder
Core Strategies
- PBIS framework
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Check-in/check-out systems
Tools & Supports
- Behavior charts and calm-down tools
- Daily emotional check-ins
- Behavior goals tracked with feedback
👥 Support Team
School Counselor: Provides emotional support, coping strategies, and social-emotional learning interventions.
School Psychologist: Develops behavioral supports, conducts FBAs, and assists with emotional regulation strategies.
Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Health conditions (e.g., ADHD) affecting learning
Teachings in Education (2020) — Other Health Impairment: Students with Disabilities
Core Strategies
- Chunking assignments
- Movement breaks
- Preferential seating
- Timers and structured routines
Tools & Supports
- Visual timers and checklists
- Flexible seating options
- Assignments broken into smaller parts
👥 Support Team
School Nurse: Monitors medical needs, medications, and health-related accommodations.
Special Education Teacher: Helps implement accommodations such as task chunking, flexible pacing, and organizational supports.
Speech / Language Impairment
Difficulty with speech or language processing
Teachings in Education (2020) — Speech Language Impairment: Students with Disabilities
Core Strategies
- Modeling correct language
- Sentence frames
- Visual supports
- Small-group instruction
Tools & Supports
- Visual cues and communication boards
- Structured speaking prompts
- Teacher models complete sentences
👥 Support Team
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): Provides direct speech and language therapy and communication strategies.
General Education Teacher: Reinforces communication goals during classroom instruction and discussions.
Hearing Impairment
Partial or total hearing loss
ESC Region 13 (2017) — Top 10 Tips for Teachers of Students with Hearing Loss
Core Strategies
- Captioned media and written directions
- Preferential seating (face class while speaking)
- Assistive listening devices
- Visual supports
Tools & Supports
- FM systems and captioning tools
- Instructions provided in writing
- Clear visual materials
👥 Support Team
Audiologist: Maintains hearing devices and recommends listening accommodations.
Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Supports communication access and adapts instructional materials.
Visual Impairment
Vision loss impacting learning
American Printing House for the Blind (2021) — Communication Strategies for Children with Visual Impairments
Core Strategies
- Large print or braille
- Audio supports
- High-contrast visuals
- Verbal descriptions of visual content
Tools & Supports
- Screen readers and magnifiers
- Teacher reads aloud board content
- Accessible adapted materials
👥 Support Team
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI): Adapts learning materials and teaches assistive technology skills.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist: Helps students safely navigate the classroom and school environment.
Deaf-Blindness
Combined hearing and vision loss
Perkins School for the Blind (2014) — Early Literacy for Students with Multiple Disabilities or Deafblindness
Core Strategies
- Tactile communication
- Assistive technology
- Consistent routines
- One-on-one instruction
Tools & Supports
- Hand-over-hand guidance
- Tactile symbols
- Specialized communication systems
👥 Support Team
Deaf-Blind Specialist: Supports communication systems and individualized instructional strategies.
Occupational Therapist (OT): Assists with sensory access, tactile learning, and adaptive participation skills.
Orthopedic Impairment
Physical disability affecting movement
Your Special Education Rights (2013) — The IDEA’s Special Education Categories: Orthopedic Impairment
Core Strategies
- Adaptive tools (slant boards, grip tools)
- Modified seating arrangements
- Extended time for tasks
- Accessible classroom setup
Tools & Supports
- Assistive devices
- Classroom arranged for mobility
- Adapted writing tools
👥 Support Team
Physical Therapist (PT): Supports mobility, positioning, and physical access within the school environment.
Occupational Therapist (OT): Assists with fine motor skills, adaptive tools, and classroom accessibility.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Brain injury affecting cognition and behavior
Disability Rights Arizona (2025) — Traumatic Brain Injury Video Series: Accommodations for Students
Core Strategies
- Structured routines
- Memory aids and visual reminders
- Reduced distractions
- Task chunking
Tools & Supports
- Daily checklist for assignments
- Instructions repeated and simplified
- Visual organizers
👥 Support Team
School Psychologist: Supports cognitive, behavioral, and emotional recovery needs.
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): Assists with memory, language processing, and communication difficulties.
Multiple Disabilities
Combination of disabilities requiring intensive support
Perkins School for the Blind (2016) — Strategies for Assessing and Teaching Students with Visual and Multiple Disabilities
Core Strategies
- Interdisciplinary instruction
- Individualized supports
- Assistive technology
- Consistent routines
Tools & Supports
- Customized assistive technology
- Lessons adapted across multiple domains
- Team teaching approach
👥 Support Team
Special Education Teacher: Coordinates individualized instruction and accommodations across learning domains.
Related Service Team (SLP, OT, PT, Psychologist): Collaborates to address communication, mobility, behavioral, and academic needs comprehensively.
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