IDEA Disability Categories in Alabama
What disability categories qualify for an IEP in Alabama?
Alabama recognizes 13 disability categories under Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03, aligned with federal IDEA categories but with Alabama-specific definitions, criteria, and minimum required evaluative components. The categories are: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Developmental Delay (ages 3-8 only), Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment (includes Deafness), Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment (includes Blindness). Alabama-specific rules: (1) Developmental Delay is limited to ages 3-8; children must be reevaluated before their 9th birthday and must qualify under another category to continue services at age 9. (2) Alabama specifies 'psychometrist' as a qualified evaluator for autism assessments. (3) Voice disorders require an ENT (otorhinolaryngologist) medical evaluation. (4) Visual impairment evaluations require a certified vision specialist. (5) For Specific Learning Disability, the evaluation team must include a regular education teacher and at least one person qualified to conduct individual diagnostic examinations. Alabama uses 'Emotional Disturbance' — not 'Emotional Disability' — as the official category name.
What Alabama Requires
Alabama's 13 disability categories include Developmental Delay which is limited to ages 3-8; children must be reevaluated before their 9th birthday and must qualify under another disability category to continue services at age 9 (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03).
For autism assessments, Alabama specifies a 'psychometrist' as a qualified evaluator (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03).
Voice disorders (under Speech or Language Impairment) require an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) medical evaluation specifically (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03).
Visual impairment eligibility determinations require evaluation by a certified vision specialist (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03).
For Specific Learning Disability, the evaluation team must include a regular education teacher and at least one person qualified to conduct individual diagnostic examinations; standard scores must be used (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03).
The official Alabama category name is 'Emotional Disturbance' — not 'Emotional Disability' as used in some other states (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03).
Children cannot be determined eligible if the primary factor is lack of appropriate reading or math instruction, limited English proficiency, or non-conformity to standard English dialect (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.04).
Key Timelines
Developmental Delay eligibility ends at age 9; children must be reevaluated before their 9th birthday (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.03).
Eligibility must be determined within 30 calendar days of completing initial evaluation (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.04).
Reevaluation must occur at least every three years to confirm continued eligibility (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.02).