Understanding Student Disabilities

Every child learns in their own way, and some may face challenges that require extra support at school. This page explains the different types of disabilities that can affect a child's learning and development. These include difficulties with speech, movement, learning, emotional well-being, hearing, vision, and more.

By recognizing and understanding these areas of need, parents and caregivers can work closely with educators to make sure their child receives the right support to thrive. Our goal is to provide clear information so you can feel confident and empowered as an advocate for your child's education.
 

Types of Disabilities

• Speech or Language Impairment: Issues like stuttering, difficulty pronouncing words, or trouble with language that affect school performance.
• Specific Learning Disability: Challenges with reading, writing, listening, speaking, or math due to how the brain processes information.
• Other Health Impairment: Health conditions (like ADHD or epilepsy) that limit a child’s energy, focus, or alertness in school.
• Emotional Disturbance: Ongoing difficulties with emotions or behavior, such as depression, anxiety, or trouble building relationships.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: A brain injury from an accident that causes learning or behavioral problems.
• Autism: A developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and how a child interacts with others.
• Intellectual Disability: Significant limitations in thinking and learning skills, as well as daily life activities.
• Visual Impairment: A vision issue, even with glasses, that makes it hard for a child to learn in a regular classroom setting.
• Hearing Impairment: A hearing loss that affects a child’s ability to learn or communicate effectively.
• Deafness: A more severe hearing loss that makes understanding spoken language very difficult, even with aids.
• Orthopedic Impairment: Physical issues that affect a child’s ability to move around or participate in typical school activities.
• Multiple Disabilities: When a child has more than one disability that makes learning especially challenging.
• Deaf-Blindness: A combination of hearing and vision loss that requires very specialized support and services.