IDEA Disability Categories in Alaska
What disability categories qualify for an IEP in Alaska?
Alaska recognizes the 13 federal IDEA disability categories as implemented in 4 AAC 52.500: autism spectrum disorder, deaf-blindness, deafness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment including blindness. Alaska uses the federal term 'intellectual disability' (formerly 'mental retardation' prior to Rosa's Law). Alaska does not maintain separate state-specific disability categories beyond the federal 13. For developmental delay, Alaska permits classification of children ages 3 through 9 (or any subset of that age range) who are experiencing delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, or adaptive development and therefore need special education (4 AAC 52.500(a)(5)). Developmental delay is used primarily in early childhood special education. Alaska's DEED tracks disability categories for federal reporting purposes under IDEA Section 618.
What Alaska Requires
Alaska recognizes all 13 federal IDEA disability categories under 4 AAC 52.500, using federal definitions and criteria.
Developmental delay may be used for children ages 3–9 experiencing delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, or adaptive development (4 AAC 52.500(a)(5)).
Alaska uses the term 'intellectual disability' consistent with federal law as amended by Rosa's Law (Pub. L. 111-256).
A student must be evaluated under the appropriate disability category before being determined eligible for special education (4 AAC 52.520(a)).
A student may be eligible under multiple disability categories when appropriate (4 AAC 52.500(a)(9) — multiple disabilities).
Key Timelines
Disability category determination is made at the eligibility meeting following the evaluation (4 AAC 52.530).
Eligibility, including disability category, must be re-evaluated at least every three years (4 AAC 52.520(e)).