Who is eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
Eligibility for special education services under IDEA: Children who have a disability that causes them to need specialized educational services to benefit from their education are entitled to receive special education and related services. Eligible disabilities include but are not limited to sensory (i.e., hearing, visual, or speech/language) or orthopedically impaired, mentally retarded, seriously emotionally disturbed, other health impaired or children with specific learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, if it is a significant impediment to learning). In addition, children with autism and traumatic brain injury are eligible for special education under federal law. [20 U.S.C. Sec. 1401(3); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.7.] California calls these children “individuals with exceptional needs.” [Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56026.] Children meeting these criteria between the ages of five years and 18 years, inclusive, are eligible for special education. [Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56026(c)(3).] Individuals between 1
