20 Other Health Impairment

This section includes the IDEA definition of the disability from federal law, along with specific information about eligibility criteria in Virginia. In addition, there is information about the prevalence, causes, and characteristics of this disability, along with specific strategies and accommodations that can meet the needs of students with this disability.

IDEA Definition

§ 300.8 (c) (9)

Other Health Impairment (OHI) means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that—

Eligibility Criteria

VDOE Supplemental Guidance for Evaluation and Eligibility Virginia-specific guidance document that includes sample eligibility checklist (Refer to Table of Contents pages 2-4 and click on page number for disability category)

Advocacy organizations

Center for Parent Information and Resources – This organization provides definitions and information about many of the health conditions that are encompassed under OHI.

ABOUT other health impairment

Prevalence

National Center for Educational Statistics – This website shows the prevalence of the major disability categories, including OHI.

ADHD Prevalence – ADHD is the major condition that falls under OHI. This CDC site shows the prevalence of ADHD.

Visit the US Department of Education’s Open Data Platform to access IDEA Child Count Data by disability category, age, and other demographic and special education variables.

Causes

ADHD Causes, Identification, Academic, and Social Characteristics – This website summarizes key information about ADHD, including some possible causes, identification of ADHD, common academic characteristics, and common social/emotional characteristics.

Characteristics

Due to the fact that OHI encompasses a wide variety of medical conditions, there is not a consistent set of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics. In general, accommodations and strategies should be developed to address the specific health needs.

instructional strategies

ADHD is the most prominent disability that falls under OHI. The Project Ideal website includes characteristics and teaching strategies appropriate for ADHD.

Students with health conditions often need health-related support from school personnel. Information about life at school and transitions for children with health impairments is available on the Center for Parent Information and Resources website.

accommodations / modifications

Students with health impairments often need accommodations to help with health conditions and potential for increased absences. DO-IT provides additional resources about accommodations. In the case of extended absences, schools are still required to continue to provide educational services. More information is available on the Center for Parent Information and Resources website, scroll to the section “When health affects school attendance.”

resources

PowerPoint PDF: Other Health Impairment