IDEA Disability Categories in Arkansas
What disability categories qualify for an IEP in Arkansas?
Arkansas uses the same 13 disability categories as federal IDEA for students ages 5-21, with no state-specific category names or alternative terminology. The categories are: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment (including Deafness), Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment (including Blindness). Arkansas uses 'Intellectual Disability' (the current IDEA terminology), having updated from the prior 'Mental Retardation' label. For early childhood special education ages 3-5, Arkansas uses 10 categories and includes a 'Non-Categorical' developmental delay option rather than Emotional Disturbance and Specific Learning Disability. Eligibility criteria are published in the Arkansas Special Education Eligibility Criteria and Program Guidelines for Children with Disabilities, Ages 3-21, maintained by DESE. A disability diagnosis alone is not sufficient — the disability must negatively impact educational performance and create a need for specially designed instruction.
What Arkansas Requires
Arkansas recognizes the same 13 IDEA disability categories for ages 5-21: Autism, 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 (Arkansas DESE Eligibility Criteria and Program Guidelines).
For ages 3-5, Arkansas uses 10 categories and includes a 'Non-Categorical' developmental delay option; Emotional Disturbance and Specific Learning Disability are not used for this age group (Arkansas DESE Early Childhood Special Education eligibility criteria).
Arkansas uses 'Intellectual Disability' as the current category name, consistent with Rosa's Law (federal update) (Arkansas DESE Eligibility Criteria).
A disability diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility; the disability must negatively impact educational performance and create a need for specially designed instruction (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-41-202; Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §6.00).
Eligibility is determined by the Evaluation/Programming Conference (EPC) group of qualified professionals and parents, using a variety of assessment tools (Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.04.2.1).
Key Timelines
Eligibility must be determined within 30 calendar days of completing the evaluation at the EPC (Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.04.2.1.B).
Reevaluation for continued eligibility must occur at least every three years (34 CFR 300.303).