Eligibility

Children with disabilities from birth to age 21 may be eligible for special education. Federal law defines “children with disabilities” as having any of the following types of disabilities.

• Autism
• Deaf-blindness
• Deafness
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional Disability
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment (including blindness)

Definition

Special Education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.  Special Education can include:

• Specialized Instruction
• Instruction in physical education
• Vocational Education
• Speech/Language Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Assistive Technology
• Counseling

NOTE: AACPS assures full educational opportunities by providing free and appropriate educational programs and related services for students with disabilities. “At no cost” means that all specially designed instruction is provided without charge, but does not preclude incidental fees which are normally charged to non-disabled students or their parents as part of the regular education program.