Children and Youth with Disabilities

This section of Disabled World covers a range of specific childhood disabilities and disorders including information about disability in infants, toddlers, children, and youths. We also provide links to disability specific sites and support groups for both children and parents of children, or a child, with a disability.

Child with a Disability: Means a child evaluated in accordance with U.S. Sec. 300.304 - 300.311 as having mental retardation, a hearing impairment (including deafness), a speech or language impairment, a visual impairment (including blindness), a serious emotional disturbance (referred to in this part as "emotional disturbance"), an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, an other health impairment, a specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities, and who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services. (IDEA)

Student with Disability: Defined as students who require special education because of: autism; communication disorders; deaf-blindness; emotional disturbances; hearing impairments, including deafness; intellectual disability; orthopedic impairments; other health impairments; specific learning disabilities; traumatic brain injuries; or visual impairments, including blindness. (OAR 581-015-2000(4))

Disabled World Child Disability Section Mission

• Provide families of children with a disability information concerning their rights and entitlements to services and support.
• Advocate on behalf of children with a disability and families to ensure the best possible support and services are available from the community and World Governments.
• Educate public policy-makers and the general community about needs of children with a disability.
• Provide information and resources to schools and the education sector in regards to Childhood Disability and a child's unique issues.

Parents are often worried when their child experiences learning problems in school. There are many different reasons for learning difficulties, but a common one may involve a specific learning disability. Learning disabilities affect at least 1 in 10 school children today.

Evaluation is an essential beginning step in the special education process for a child with a disability. In the United States the evaluation process is guided by requirements in special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

IDEA's Definition of "Child with Disability"

IDEA lists different disability categories under which a child may be found eligible for special education and related services.

Picture shows five children playing with pet rabbits outdoors.

These categories are:

• Autism
• Deafness
• Deaf-blindness
• Mental retardation
• Multiple disabilities
• Hearing impairment
• Developmental delay
• Traumatic brain injury
• Emotional disturbance
• Orthopedic impairment
• Other health impairment
• Specific learning disability
• Speech or language impairment
• Visual impairment, including blindness

Parents with a child, or children, with a disability often have more stress placed on their relationship than parents of typically developing children. However, it has also been shown that having a child with a disability can also bring a couple closer together. The main key(s) to keeping your marriage or relationship strong are open communication and spending a great deal of time together.

Child Disability Benefit

Under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, Social Security can provide cash payments to children with disabilities. A child who is eligible for Federal SSI cash payments is also eligible, depending on the State, for State supplemental payments, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other social services. To apply for child disability support you will need to complete an Application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) AND a Child Disability Report. The report collects information about the child's disabling condition and how it affects his/her ability to function. Contact your local U.S. Department of Social Security to find out whether the income and resources of the parents and the child are within the allowed limits, and to start the SSI application process.

Further Information

Disability Education - Special Education - Childrens Health Concerns