Skip to main content

Posts

THIS JUST DROPPED

Other Health Impairment (OHI) — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Schools and Families

By Rosalyn Pryor, M.S., CCC-SLP PLLC
Other Health Impairment (OHI) — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Schools and Families Other Health Impairment (OHI) is an IDEA eligibility category that covers chronic or acute health conditions that limit a student’s strength, vitality, or alertness and adversely affect educational performance.  Section 504 provides parallel civil‑rights protections for students whose health conditions substantially limit one or more major life activities .  This article explains how students qualify for OHI, the referral and evaluation process, common assessments, evidence‑based services, accommodations and modifications, progress monitoring, and parents’ rights. Legal Framework and Definition IDEA (OHI): A student may be eligible under OHI if they have “limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment” due to chronic or acute health problems (examples: ADHD , ...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

Speech‑Language Impairment (SLI) — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Schools and Families

By Rosalyn Pryor, M.S., CCC-SLP PLLC
Speech‑Language Impairment — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Schools and Families Introduction Speech‑language impairments (SLI) affect a child’s ability to communicate and can significantly interfere with learning, social interaction, and access to instruction.  Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), SLI is a recognized category for special education; Section 504 provides broader civil‑rights protections and accommodations when a communication impairment substantially limits a major life activity.  This article explains eligibility, referral and evaluation processes, common assessments, evidence‑based services, classroom accommodations and modifications, and parents’ procedural rights and entitlements. Legal Definitions and Frameworks IDEA: “Speech or language impairment” typically refers to communication disorders (articulation, fluency/stuttering, voice, and language disorders) that adversely affect educational performance and require special educ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Deaf‑Blindness in School — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Families

By Rosalyn Pryor, M.S., CCC-SLP PLLC
Deaf‑Blindness in School — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Families Deaf‑blindness is a low‑incidence, high‑impact disability that uniquely affects access to communication, mobility, learning, and sensory information.  Federal law—primarily the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act —requires schools to identify needs and provide services so students who are deaf‑blind receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).  This article explains eligibility, referral and evaluation steps, common supports and services, and parents’ rights. Definitions and Legal Frameworks IDEA: Deaf‑blindness is a specific eligibility category under IDEA.  It refers to concomitant hearing and visual impairments that cause severe educational needs that cannot be accommodated in special education programs designed solely for children with deafness or blindness.  Eligibility under IDEA re...
Post a Comment
Read more

Autism in School — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Families

By Rosalyn Pryor, M.S., CCC-SLP PLLC
Autism in School — What IDEA and Section 504 Mean for Families Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can affect a child’s communication, social interaction, behavior, and learning.  Schools must consider federal civil rights and special education laws when a student’s autism affects access to learning, primarily the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act .  ( cdc.gov ) Who Qualifies Under IDEA versus Section 504? IDEA: A child may qualify for special education under the IDEA autism category if they meet the regulatory definition (a developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction and adversely affects educational performance) and therefore need specialized instruction and related services.  A medical diagnosis alone does not automatically establish IDEA eligibility — the team must demonstrate an adverse educational impact and a need for special educat...
Post a Comment
Read more

Texas Back-to-School Supply Events — Major Metro Guide

By Rosalyn Pryor, M.S., CCC-SLP PLLC
Texas Back-to-School Supply Events — Major Metro Guide  School’s almost here — and across Texas, major metros are hosting dozens of free and low‑cost back‑to‑school fairs, backpack giveaways, health screenings, and enrollment drives to help families prepare for the 2026–27 school year.  This statewide guide pulls together the biggest events in Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Tyler, Waco, McAllen, Amarillo, and Beaumont, with dates, locations, and registration details so you can reserve supplies, access health services, and plan your visit   Whether you need a guaranteed backpack, immunizations, vision screenings, or help with enrollment, start here to find the events nearest you and the quick steps to register. Dallas — Mayor’s 30th Annual Back to School Fair Date: August 7, 2026, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Fair Park , 3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75210 Register/learn more: Register to  receive free school s...
Post a Comment
Read more