Early Childhood Special Education Content - Disability Categories
It is important for Early Childhood educators to develop an awareness of different disability categories, associated behaviors, and educational implications so that they can begin to design, implement, and evaluate instructional strategies. By increasing their awareness of different disability categories, teachers may be better prepared to create learning environments that stimulate and challenge all children. The following resources provide an overview of disability categories, associated behaviors, and potential implications for development and learning.
Overview of Disability Categories
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of the categories of disabilities
as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). PDF
The following link provides information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
http://nichcy.org/laws/ada/
The following publication explains how the requirements of the ADA apply to Child
Care Centers. The document also describes some of the Department of Justice's ongoing
enforcement efforts in the child care area and it provides a resource list on sources
of information on the ADA.
https://search.ada.gov/search?query=childcare+centers&search=go&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=iso-8859-1&oe=UTF-8&client=default_frontend&proxystylesheet=default_frontend&affiliate=justice-ada
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of ADHD. FACT SHEET
The following fact sheet developed by the Head Start Center for Inclusion provides an overview of characteristics and educational implications of ADHD. PDF
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of Autism. FACT SHEET
The following fact sheet developed by the Head Start Center for Inclusion provides an overview of characteristics and educational implications of ASD. PDF
The website Autism Speaks provides an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders, has resources for families, and offers video clips related to ASD. https://www.autismspeaks.org/
Cerebral Palsy
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of Cerebral Palsy. FACT SHEET
The following fact sheet developed by the Head Start Center for Inclusion provides an overview of characteristics and educational implications of Cerebral Palsy. PDF
Cognitive Delay
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of developmental delay. FACT SHEET
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational implications of intellectual disabilities. FACT SHEET
Down Syndrome
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of Down syndrome. FACT SHEET
The following fact sheet developed by the Head Start Center for Inclusion provides an overview of characteristics and educational implications of Down Syndrome. PDF
Emotional Disorders
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of emotional disorders. FACT SHEET
Epilepsy
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of Epilepsy. FACT SHEET
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD)
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of Fetal Alcohol syndrome. FACT SHEET
The following fact sheet developed by the Head Start Center for Inclusion provides an overview of characteristics and educational implications of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. PDF
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) is a nonprofit organization that provides information about fetal alcohol syndrome and strategies for educators who work with children with FAS. https://www.nofas.org/Deafness and Hearing Loss
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of hearing loss. FACT SHEET
Other Health Impairments
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of other health impairments. FACT SHEET
Speech and Language Impairment
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of speech and language impairments. FACT SHEET
The following fact sheet developed by the Head Start Center for Inclusion provides an overview of characteristics and educational implications of speech and language impairments. PDF
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides an overview of common preschool language disorders.
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Preschool-Language-Disorders/
Spina Bifida/Neural Tube Defects (NTDS)
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of Spina Bifida. FACT SHEET
Visual Impairments and Blindness
The following fact sheet developed by the National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides an overview of characteristics and educational
implications of visual impairments. FACT SHEET