IDEA Disability Categories in Arizona
What disability categories qualify for an IEP in Arizona?
Arizona defines its disability categories in A.R.S. § 15-761(2) with several significant differences from the federal IDEA categories. Most notably, Arizona uses 'Emotional Disability' — not the federal term 'Emotional Disturbance' — for the behavioral/emotional condition; the criteria mirror federal IDEA (34 CFR 300.8(c)(4)) but exclude children who are only socially maladjusted without an underlying emotional disability. Arizona subdivides the federal 'Intellectual Disability' category into three distinct subcategories: Mild (2–3 standard deviations below the mean), Moderate (3–4 SDs), and Severe (4+ SDs), each with specific SD criteria. The 'Developmental Delay' category in Arizona applies only to children ages 3 to under 10, and requires performance 1.5–3 SDs below the mean in two or more developmental areas corroborated by comprehensive assessment and parent input — narrower than the federal option. 'Preschool Severe Delay' is an Arizona-specific category (no federal equivalent) for children ages 3 through kindergarten entry, requiring performance more than 3 SDs below the mean in one or more developmental areas. 'Multiple Disabilities with Severe Sensory Impairment' covers students with combined severe visual or hearing impairment and another severe disability. A child may not be classified solely because of lack of instruction in reading or math, or limited English proficiency (A.R.S. § 15-761(2)(b)).
What Arizona Requires
Arizona uses 'Emotional Disability' — not the federal term 'Emotional Disturbance' — for this eligibility category; IEP documents must use the state-approved term (A.R.S. § 15-761).
Arizona subdivides 'Intellectual Disability' into three subcategories with specific SD criteria: Mild (2–3 SDs below mean), Moderate (3–4 SDs), and Severe (4+ SDs) (A.R.S. § 15-761).
Arizona's 'Developmental Delay' category applies only to children ages 3 to under 10, requires 1.5–3 SDs below the mean in two or more developmental areas, and must be corroborated by comprehensive assessment and parent input (A.R.S. § 15-761).
Arizona's 'Preschool Severe Delay' category applies to children ages 3 through kindergarten entry who perform more than 3 SDs below the mean in one or more developmental areas — this category has no direct federal equivalent (A.R.S. § 15-761).
Arizona's 'Multiple Disabilities with Severe Sensory Impairment' is a distinct category for students with both a severe visual or hearing impairment and another severe disability (A.R.S. § 15-761).
A child may not be found eligible solely because of limited English proficiency, lack of reading or math instruction, or social maladjustment without an underlying emotional disability (A.R.S. § 15-761(2)(b)).
Key Timelines
Eligibility determination must be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving parental consent to evaluate (A.R.S. § 15-766(B); A.A.C. R7-2-401(C)(1)).
A pupil's eligibility category must be reviewed at every reevaluation, conducted at least every three years (A.R.S. § 15-766; 34 CFR 300.303).
'Developmental Delay' eligibility automatically expires when the pupil reaches age 10; reevaluation under an appropriate adult category must occur before that age if continued services are needed.