Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
ASD is characterized by an atypical developmental profile, with a pattern of qualitative impairments in social interaction and social communication, and the presence of restricted or repetitive, patterns of behavior, interests or activities, which occur across settings. The term “spectrum” in ASD refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity which affect individuals differently.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH)
The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program provides services to students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing with a hearing loss that is aided or unaided, that impacts the processing of linguistic information, and which adversely affects performance in the educational environment.

Developmentally Delayed
The Developmentally Delayed (DD) program serves children aged three through eight who experience delays in one or more key developmental areas. These areas include adaptive or self-help skills, cognitive development, communication, social or emotional development, and physical development, which may involve fine, gross, or perceptual motor skills. The program provides support and interventions to help children address these developmental challenges and foster their overall growth.

Dual-Sensory Impairments (DSI): Deaf-Blind
Dual-sensory impairment (deaf-blindness) is defined as impairment affecting both vision and hearing, the combination of which causes a serious impairment in the abilities to acquire information, communicate, or function within the environment, or a degenerative condition which will lead to such an impairment.

Emotional/Behavioral Disability (EBD)
A student with an emotional/behavioral disability has persistent (is not sufficiently responsive to implemented evidence-based interventions) and consistent emotional or behavioral responses that adversely affect performance in the educational environment that cannot be attributed to age, culture, gender, or ethnicity.

Hospital or Homebound (HH)
A homebound or hospitalized student is a student who has a medically diagnosed physical or psychiatric condition that is acute or catastrophic in nature, a chronic illness, or a repeated intermittent illness due to a persisting medical problem, which confines the student to home or hospital and restricts activities for an extended period.

Intellectual Disability (InD)
An intellectual disability is defined as significantly below average general intellectual and adaptive functioning manifested during the developmental period, with significant delays in academic skills. Developmental period refers to birth to eighteen (18) years of age.

Language Impairment (LI)
A language impairment is defined as a disorder in one or more of the basic learning processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. These include: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantic and/or pragmatics. A language impairment is not primarily the result of factors related to chronological age, gender, culture, ethnicity, or limited English proficiency.

Orthopedic Impairments (OI)
Orthopedic impairment means a severe skeletal, muscular and/or neuromuscular impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes impairments resulting from congenital anomalies (e.g., including, but not limited to, skeletal deformity or spina bifida) and impairments resulting from other causes (e.g., including, but not limited to, cerebral palsy or amputations).

Other Health Impairments (OHI)
Other Health Impairments (OHI) means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness. This includes having a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment or that is due to chronic or acute health problems.

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
A specific learning disability is defined as a disorder in one or more of the basic learning processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest in significant difficulties affecting the ability to listen, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematics. Associated conditions may include, but are not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, or developmental aphasia. A specific learning disability does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of a visual, hearing, motor, intellectual, or emotional/behavioral disability, limited English proficiency, or environmental, cultural, or economic factors.

Speech Impairment (SI)
Speech impairments are disorders of speech sounds (phonological, articulation), fluency, or voice that interfere with communication, adversely affect performance or functioning in the educational environment, and result in the need for exceptional student education. A speech impairment is not primarily the result of factors related to chronological age, gender, culture, ethnicity, or limited English proficiency.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects educational performance.

Visual Impairments (VI): Blind and Partially Sighted
The Visually Impaired Program provides specialized instruction in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum to eligible students, age birth through twenty-two years.

Florida Department of Education Related Services

Assistive Technology (AT)
AT is defined as both a device and a service.  AT devices are defined by IDEA as: "any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability." § 602(1).  AT service is defined by IDEA as: "any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device." § 602(2)

Language Impairment (LI)
Language impairments are disorders of language that interfere with communication, adversely affect performance and/or functioning in the student’s typical learning environment, and result in the need for exceptional student education. A Language impairment is defined as a disorder in one or more of the basic learning processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language.

Occupational/Physical Therapy (OT/PT)
Occupational therapy/Physical Therapy services include improving, developing, or restoring functions impaired or lost through illness, injury, or deprivation; improving ability to perform tasks for independent functioning if functions are impaired or lost; and preventing, through early intervention, initial or further impairment or loss of function.

Orientation and Mobility (O&M)
Specialized travel skills for students with visual impairment to know where they are, where they want to be and how they are going to get there.

Speech Impairment (SI)
Speech impairments are disorders of speech sounds, fluency, or voice that interfere with communication, adversely affect performance and/or functioning in the educational environment, and result in the need for exceptional student education.