IDEA Disability Category

Other health impairment

Limited strength, energy, or alertness from a chronic or acute health condition. Often the category for ADHD.

An educational classification, not a medical diagnosis. A medical or clinical diagnosis does not automatically qualify a child for an IEP, and a child can qualify under IDEA without one. Eligibility is an educational team decision based on evaluation data. These are educational classifications, not medical diagnoses.

What it means

Other health impairment, often called OHI, means limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including heightened alertness to the environment, that results in limited alertness in the educational setting, is due to a chronic or acute health problem, and adversely affects a child educational performance. IDEA names examples including asthma, attention deficit disorder and ADHD, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome.

What it can include

  • ADHD or ADD
  • Asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and other chronic conditions
  • Limited alertness or energy that affects learning

How it affects school

Supports may include attention and organization strategies, health accommodations, breaks, and a health plan coordinated with the school nurse.

How IEP eligibility works

To qualify for an IEP under this category, an evaluation team generally must find three things to be true:

  • A qualifying disability. The child is evaluated and found to have one or more of the 13 disability categories defined under IDEA.
  • An adverse effect on learning. The disability must adversely affect the child educational performance. A label by itself is not enough.
  • A need for specially designed instruction. Because of the disability, the child needs special education and related services to access their education.

Common questions

Is ADHD covered by IDEA?

Yes. ADHD is most often served under Other health impairment when it adversely affects educational performance and the child needs specially designed instruction. Some children with ADHD are served through a 504 plan instead.

Do I need a doctor diagnosis?

Medical input often helps establish the health condition, but eligibility is still an educational decision made by the team using a full evaluation.

Have a question about your own child? Ada can explain how this category and IDEA apply to your situation in plain language. Ask Ada, or see all 13 categories. Want to know exactly how your state handles this — eligibility steps, timelines, and where to file? See your state’s process →