What are the 13 Categories of Special Education? (2025)

In my experience working with kids, I’ve seen how understanding the different special education categories can make a huge difference in their development. Knowing these categories helps us provide the right support and resources tailored to each child’s needs. In this blog, I’ll explore the 13 special education categories, offering detailed insights into each to help you better understand and support your child.

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects communication, behavior, and social interactions. Kids with ASD may have difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication, social skills, and repetitive behaviors. Early intervention and structured support can significantly improve their outcomes.

ASD is a spectrum, meaning it affects individuals differently. Tailored educational plans and therapies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are essential for addressing each child’s specific needs.

2. Deaf-Blindness

Deaf-blindness is a combination of vision and hearing impairments that severely impact communication, learning, and daily living. This category requires specialized educational strategies and support to address both sensory deficits simultaneously.

Interventions may include tactile sign language, Braille, and assistive technologies to help children effectively communicate and navigate their environment.

Goally | The Tablet for Neurodiverse Kids

3. Deafness

Deafness is a severe hearing impairment affecting a child’s auditory information processing ability. Children who are deaf often rely on alternative communication methods such as sign language, lip reading, and hearing aids.

Support for deaf children includes tailored education plans, specialized teaching strategies, and access to hearing technology to facilitate effective communication and learning.

4. Developmental Delay

Developmental delay is a term used for children under nine who exhibit significant physical, cognitive, communication, social, or emotional developmental delays. These delays can affect a child’s readiness for school and overall development.

Early intervention programs, individualized education plans (IEPs), and speech and occupational therapy therapies can help address developmental delays.

5. Emotional Disturbance

Emotional disturbance refers to conditions that impact a child’s ability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships, leading to academic difficulties. Conditions may include anxiety disorders, depression, and conduct disorders.

Support includes counseling, behavioral interventions, and tailored educational strategies to help children manage their emotions and succeed academically.

Read more: What Disabilities Qualify for an IEP?

6. Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairment refers to partial hearing loss that affects a child’s hearing ability but is not severe enough to be classified as deafness. Children with hearing impairments may use hearing aids or other assistive devices to improve their hearing capabilities.

Special education support includes speech therapy, auditory training, and classroom accommodations to enhance learning and communication.

7. Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability is characterized by significant intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior limitations. This category includes conditions such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.

Children with intellectual disabilities benefit from individualized education programs (IEPs), life skills training, and therapies that focus on enhancing their cognitive and adaptive abilities.

8. Multiple Disabilities

Multiple disabilities refer to the coexistence of two or more impairments, such as intellectual and physical disabilities, that create significant educational challenges. These children require comprehensive and coordinated care plans.

Interventions often involve a multidisciplinary approach, combining therapies, medical treatments, and specialized education to address the child’s unique needs.

9. Orthopedic Impairment

Orthopedic impairment involves severe physical disabilities that affect a child’s educational performance. Conditions may include cerebral palsy, amputations, and spinal cord injuries.

Support includes physical therapy, assistive devices, and classroom accommodations to help children participate fully in their education.

10. Other Health Impairment

Other health impairment covers conditions that limit a child’s strength, energy, or alertness, affecting their educational performance. Examples include ADHD, epilepsy, and chronic illnesses like diabetes.

Support includes individualized education plans (IEPs), medical management, and accommodations to address the specific health needs of each child.

11. Specific Learning Disability

Specific learning disability is a disorder in one or more basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language. Examples include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

Support includes specialized teaching strategies, accommodations, and interventions to help children overcome their learning challenges and succeed academically.

Read more: Life Skills Quiz for Kids

12. Speech or Language Impairment

Speech or language impairment involves difficulties with articulation, fluency, voice, or language comprehension and expression. This can affect a child’s ability to communicate effectively.

Interventions include speech therapy, language development programs, and classroom accommodations to support communication skills.

13. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury is an acquired injury to the brain that affects a child’s educational performance. TBI can result in cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.

Support includes rehabilitation, individualized education plans (IEPs), and accommodations to address the specific effects of the brain injury on the child’s learning and development.

Understanding the 13 special education categories is crucial for providing the right support and resources for kids with diverse needs. Each category requires tailored approaches to care and intervention, ensuring every child receives the understanding and assistance they need to reach their full potential. As caregivers and educators, our role is to create an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes the growth and development of all kids.

Helpful Resources

• CDC
• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
• Understood

FAQ’s About 13 Categories of Special Education

What are the 13 categories of special education?
The 13 categories of special education include autism spectrum disorder, deaf-blindness, deafness, developmental delay, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, and traumatic brain injury.
Why is it important to understand the categories of special education?
Understanding the categories helps provide tailored support and resources for each child's unique needs, promoting their development and success.
How does autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affect children?
ASD affects communication, behavior, and social interactions, requiring structured support and early intervention to improve outcomes.
What is the difference between deafness and hearing impairment?
Deafness is a severe hearing loss affecting auditory processing, while hearing impairment refers to partial hearing loss that can still impact communication and learning.
How can parents support children with specific learning disabilities?
Parents can support children with specific learning disabilities by utilizing specialized teaching strategies, accommodations, and early interventions to help them succeed academically.

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