Disability Definitions
ADD/ADHD:
Disabilities which are characterized by inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity meeting the diagnostic criteria specified in the DSM-IV.
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
A group of disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction, imaginative activity, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and a limited number of interests and activities that tend to be repetitive. Includes Asperger's syndrome and autism.
Brain Injury:
Any disability resulting directly from an injury to the head, including cerebral vascular accident (stroke), aneurism.
Health Impairment:
Includes a variety of diseases/disorders/syndromes that substantially impact a major life activity. Examples include AIDS or AIDS related complex, cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, diseases of the blood, diabetes, epilepsy, kidney dysfunction, seizure disorders, speech impairment and systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, chemical sensitivity.
Hearing Disability:
Includes a variety of auditory problems including, but not limited to, total deafness.
Learning Disability:
Includes disabilities which directly affect a student's ability to learn. Examples include students with dyslexia or reading disabilities (excludes ADD/ADHD and autism spectrum disorders).
Mobility and/or Orthopedic Disability:
Includes a number of disabilities which limit a student's movement or access to certain locations and often involve students who use wheelchairs and other personal transportation vehicles. Examples include students with the following: amputation of fingers/hands/arms, amputations of leg, bone and joint diseases, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, orthopedic disabilities, and poliomyelitis.
Psychological Disability:
Includes a variety of disabilities which affect a student's mental or emotional state. Examples include persons with anxiety disorders, chronic depression, personality disorders, and many other categories of mental and emotional disability identified in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV). Includes drug/alcohol disabilities.
Temporary Disability:
Includes any type of disability which is of a temporary nature. This can include students who use wheelchairs as a result of a temporary injury or illness.
Visual Disability:
Includes a wide variety of vision problems including, but not limited to, total blindness. Examples include cataract, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa.
Other Disabilities:
Permanent disabilities which do not fall into one of the above categories of disability.