IDEA Disability Categories in Oklahoma
What disability categories qualify for an IEP in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma recognizes all 13 IDEA disability categories. Oklahoma uses the term MEEGS (Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Eligibility Group Summary) for the eligibility determination document. The Developmental Delays (DD) category is an LEA option for students ages 3-9; LEAs must transition the student to a specific categorical disability before the student's 10th birthday. Oklahoma uses both Option 1 (RTI/MTSS/Scientific Research-Based Intervention) and Option 2 (Traditional Ability-Achievement Discrepancy Model) for Specific Learning Disability identification. The MEEGS must document all required evaluation components and eligibility determination based on Oklahoma Eligibility Standards. Oklahoma uses the term 'Emotional Disturbance' consistent with federal IDEA terminology.
What Oklahoma Requires
Oklahoma recognizes all 13 IDEA disability categories: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Developmental Delays (LEA option ages 3-9), Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment (Oklahoma Evaluation & Eligibility Handbook 2024)
Developmental Delays (DD): LEA option for students ages 3-9; must transition to specific categorical disability before student's 10th birthday (Oklahoma Special Education Policies & Procedures 2024, Ch. 5; Oklahoma Evaluation & Eligibility Handbook 2024)
Specific Learning Disability: Both Option 1 (RTI/MTSS/Scientific Research-Based Intervention) AND Option 2 (Traditional Ability-Achievement Discrepancy Model) are permitted in Oklahoma (34 C.F.R. § 300.307; Oklahoma Evaluation & Eligibility Handbook 2024)
MEEGS (Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Eligibility Group Summary) is Oklahoma's eligibility determination document; must document all required evaluation components and team agreement on eligibility determination (Oklahoma Special Education Policies & Procedures 2024, Ch. 5)
OAAP (Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program) is for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities AND significant adaptive behavior deficits; eligibility determined annually by IEP team (34 C.F.R. § 300.102(a)(3)(iv); Oklahoma Special Education Policies & Procedures 2024, Ch. 6, Sec. 3.H.i)
Key Timelines
DD category: students must be transitioned to a categorical disability before 10th birthday (Oklahoma Special Education Policies & Procedures 2024, Ch. 5)