Most Common IDEA Eligibilities for School Psychologists

These flashcards cover the most common IDEA eligibilities that school psychologists encounter, including definitions and relevant assessment tools.

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

The most frequent eligibility category involving challenges in reading, writing, or math, often assessed through the WJ-IV, WIAT, CTOPP-2, and WISC-V.

You’ll often evaluate students with reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), or math (dyscalculia) challenges.These disabilities can significantly impact academic performance and may require specialized instruction or interventions.

Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)

Common in early grades, involving articulation, expressive, or receptive language delays, assessed with tools like CELF-5 and PLS-5.

Why it’s common: Very common in early grades and preschool transitions. Referrals often come from articulation, expressive, or receptive language delays.These impairments can significantly affect a child's communication skills, impacting their academic performance and social interactions.

Other Health Impairment (OHI)

Often refers to ADHD and chronic medical conditions, requiring assessments of attention and executive functioning.

Autism

An eligibility category characterized by social communication challenges and sensory differences, assessed by tools like ADOS-2 and CARS-2.

Emotional Disturbance (ED)

Involves anxiety, depression, or trauma-related issues, assessed through tools like BASC-3 and SSIS.

WJ-IV

An assessment tool used for evaluating academic skills in areas such as reading and math, especially for SLD.

CELF-5

A commonly used assessment for identifying speech or language impairments.

BASC-3

A behavior assessment system that helps evaluate attention and emotional disturbances.

Assistive Technology

Devices or tools that aid students with disabilities to access the curriculum and enhance learning.

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI)

Tailored teaching strategies and interventions to support students with specific learning disabilities.

Intellectual Disability

Summary: Significantly below-average intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior deficits originating during development, with adverse educational impact.
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Formerly known as mental retardation