special education in the modern age: the shifting categories of ed
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Special Education in the Modern Age:The Shifting Categories of ED, OHI and SLD
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Overview
ED Eligibility
(Attempting) to define OHI
Factors related to SLD
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What is an Emotional Disturbance?
Federal Definition
A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects educational performance
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What is an Emotional Disturbance?
CA definition
Because of a serious emotional disturbance, a pupil exhibits one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree, which adversely affect educational performance
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What is an Emotional Disturbance?
The Five Factors
1. An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
2. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers
3. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances
4. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
5. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems
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Diagnosed Mental Illness and ED
Mental Illness Defined
Medical condition that disrupts thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning
(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Diagnosed Mental Illness and ED
Not required to find student eligible under category of ED
Diagnosis does not automatically qualify student for special education
Symptoms may trigger Child Find obligations
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Student v. Saddleback Valley USD(OAH 2011)
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Facts
16 year-old diagnosed with mild depression, ODD and mood disorder
Private psychologist recommended permission to make-up missed assignments, but not special education assessment
Parent requested assessment
“Student Study Team” determined interventions could be implemented in general education setting
Student v. Saddleback Valley USD (OAH 2011)
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Facts
Assessment postponed
Dissatisfied parent unilaterally enrolled student in RTC
Student eventually assessed and qualified under OHI and ED
Student v. Saddleback Valley USD (OAH 2011)
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Issues
Violation of Child Find duties
Parent alleged District should have assessed
Following receipt of psychologist recommendation
Following parent’s request for assessment
Student v. Saddleback Valley USD (OAH 2011)
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Decision
No Child Find violation
Psychologist email alone insufficient to trigger Child Find
Parent agreed to general education interventions
Parent did not notify school of dissatisfaction before unilaterally enrolling student in RTC
Student v. Saddleback Valley USD (OAH 2011)
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What is ED?
Student v. Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Dist. (OAH 2009)
ED is not medical diagnosis (under DSM-IV)
ED is “legal category created by Congress to distinguish a narrow range of pupils with emotional problems who are eligible for special education services”
Criteria regarding emotional disorders in medical field are different than educational criteria for ED
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#1 - Inability to Learn
Designed to rule out other reasons
Student v. Lakeside Joint Elementary School Dist. (OAH 2008)
Student with “attachment disorder” (per parents)
Declining STAR scores, but high average WISC scores and no severe discrepancy
Student asked for help when needed
Student had ability to learn
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#1 - Inability to Learn
Student v. Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Dist. (OAH 2009)
Student with (at least) mood disorder-NOS, including significant depression
Cognitively bright, capable of learning
Lowered academic performance for two, short isolated periods
Not enough to show inability to learn
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#2 - Inability To Build Or Maintain Satisfactory Interpersonal Relationships
Occurs in multiple settings with peers and adults
Lack of sympathy, empathy toward others
Inability to establish, maintain friendships
Excessive physical, verbal aggression, etc.
Not an issue of getting along with others
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#2 - Inability to Build or Maintain Satisfactory Interpersonal Relationships
Saddleback: Choosing friends who are a bad influence does not satisfy criteria
Lakeside: Positive relationships with teachers show factor does not apply
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#3 - Inappropriate Types of Behavior or Feelings Under Normal Circumstances
Behaviors or feelings that are strange or unusual (in comparison with others in same circumstances)
Hallucinations or bizarre behavior not required
Could be acting out or withdrawal behaviors
Does not include willful and understood behaviors (e.g., ODD or conduct disorders)
Consider whether circumstances are “normal” . . .
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#3 - Inappropriate Types of Behavior or Feelings Under Normal Circumstances
Student v. Ravenswood City SD (OAH 2008) Serious behavior problems (sexual assault, fighting, assault, defiance, profanity, and bringing a gun to school) insufficient to meet criteria
Torrance USD v. E.M. (C.D. Cal. 2008)Inappropriate reaction to everyday events satisfies criteria
Student v. Los Angeles USD (SEHO 1999)Expected behavior from a child of same age does not satisfy criteria
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#4 - General Pervasive Mood of Unhappiness or Depression
Actual, chronic, persistent symptoms of depression
Observable in school setting (and other situations)
Not a natural reaction to a traumatic event
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#4 - General Pervasive Mood of Unhappiness or Depression
Saddleback: Diagnosis that presents with unhappiness or depression does not automatically fulfill criteria
Student v. Los Angeles USD (OAH 2007): Student need not meet the DSM-IV criteria for depression to fulfill criteria
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#5 - Tendency to Develop Physical Symptoms or Fears Associated with Personal or School Problems
Physical symptoms that are excessive and chronic
Could manifest as severe anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, tics, headaches, etc.
Not due to biologic or medical conditions
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#5 - Tendency to Develop Physical Symptoms or Fears Associated with Personal or School Problems
Student v. Capistrano USD (OAH 2011)”test anxiety” must impact ability to do well on test to satisfy criteria
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What is a "Long Period of Time"?
Letter to Anonymous (OSEP 1989)
Two-nine months
Student v. Capistrano USD (OAH 2007)
Minimum of six months and with no response to behavioral interventions
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What is “To a Marked Degree"?
Pervasive and Intense
Student v. Capistrano USD (OAH 2007)
Pervasive means exhibits across more than one domain (home, school, community)
Intense means must produce distress to student or others and must be related to emotional disturbance
Letter to Anonymous (OSEP 1989)
Examine frequency, duration and intensity of student’s behavior in comparison to behavior of peers and/or school and community norms
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What is "Adversely Affects"?
Condition must render student unable to benefit from education regardless of degree of intervention
Document that poor performance not due to attendance or lack of motivation
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Emerging Eligibility
Torrance USD v. E.M. (C.D. Cal. 2008)
Facts Student in GATE program
Classroom behavioral issues noted over several years
Parents separated, was placed in foster home (Two-hour commute)
In 6th grade, punched another student and was expelled
Issue Child Find
Ruling Student’s behaviors initially coincided with stressful life events, but
Continued to manifest in a variety of settings, over a long period of time and were resistant to behavioral interventions
District should have assessed for ED and found student eligible
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Practice Pointer
ED eligibility may emerge over time
Watch for behavioral issues that continue to escalate and/or fail to respond to interventions
Reassessment for ED eligibility may be necessary
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ED and Young Students
Sometimes, there is hesitation to label young students as ED
Makes sense to adjust period for young students
Cannot have “policy” of refusing to find young students eligible as ED
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“Acting Out” may Indicate ED
Student v. Compton USD (OAH 2008)
Facts Kindergarten student performing above grade level
academically, but exhibiting aggressive behaviors
First assessment focused on ADHD, Student eligible under OHI
(At age 5) Student began telling teacher was going to kill himself because he was “bad”
Second assessment, found eligible under ED
Ruling: District should have assessed Student for ED as part of first assessment
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“Acting Out” may Indicate ED
Student v. La Mesa-Spring Valley SD (OAH 2010)
Facts
Student “kicked out” of daycare
Hospitalized at age 3 for self-injurious & aggressive behaviors
Diagnosed with anxiety
Enrolled in district preschool program: Exhibited hitting, kicking and scratching, using profanity
Able to access preschool program
Assessed and found ineligible
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“Acting Out” may Indicate ED
Facts
In kindergarten, behaviors included
Crawling around, talking in strange voices, hitting others, using profanity, scratching herself, banging head on wall, stabbing self with scissors
Behavioral interventions were ineffective
District assessed and found eligible as ED
Parent would not consent to SDC placement
District filed due process complaint
Student v. La Mesa-Spring Valley SD (OAH 2010)
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“Acting Out” may Indicate ED
Ruling
District showed was inappropriate to maintain Student in general education setting even with significant supports
Student failing to derive any academic or non-academic benefits
Adversely impacted ability of other student to learn and ability of teacher to teach
Student v. La Mesa-Spring Valley SD (OAH 2010)
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Social Maladjustment v. ED
What Is Social Maladjustment?
Not defined in law
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Case #1
Torrance USD v. E.M. (C.D. Cal. 2008)
“Student acts in deliberate non-compliance with known social demands or expectations”
Socially maladjusted students do not qualify as ED based on “social maladjustment”
BUT . . . socially maladjusted student could also be ED
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Case #2
Eschenasy v. New York City Dept. of Ed. (S.D.N.Y. 2009)
FactsStudent privately evaluated and diagnosed with
mood disorder and borderline personality disorder traits
Student used drugs, cut class, and was repeatedly suspended and expelled
Attended three schools in 10th and 11th grades
Parent placed Student in restrictive RTC
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Case #2
Facts
Parent requested special education assessment
District refused to travel for assessment, closed case
Parent requested an IEP meeting, based on private assessment and RTC placement
District found student ineligible
Behavior was delinquent, due to conduct disorder
Eschenasy v. New York City Dept. of Ed. (S.D.N.Y. 2009)
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Case #2 Decision: HO found Student was socially
maladjusted, but also qualified under ED due to unhappy/depressed mood and inappropriate behavior
Suicide attempts/self-injury
Failing grades impeded learning
Prevalence of behavior throughout high school
District ordered to reimburse for RTC placement
Eschenasy v. New York City Dept. of Ed. (S.D.N.Y. 2009)
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Social Maladjustment v. ED
Look for the purpose of the conduct – is this purposeful behavior?
rebellious? deliberate?
Don’t miss self-injury or suicidal ideation
In the case of substance abuse, is it masking behavior?
Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory
Does student’s behavior/academic achievement change when no access to drugs/alcohol?
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Substance Abuse v. ED
Student v. Tamalpais Union H.S. Dist.(OAH 2012)
Facts
Student in blended program with related counseling services
Student suspended for marijuana possession and placed in juvenile hall
Before release, parents requested residential placement
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Substance Abuse v. ED
Facts
Psycho-educational assessment revealed no identifiable mental illness, but characteristics of ED and substance abuse disorder
AB 3632 assessment supported placement in blended program with therapy; primary issues were related to oppositional defiance disorder and substance abuse; no masking behavior
District continued to offer blended program
Student v. Tamalpais Union H.S. Dist. (OAH 2012)
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Substance Abuse v. ED
Ruling: District not responsible for residential placement when primary issue is substance abuse
Progress in RTC and juvenile hall due to lack of drug use in those settings
Student v. Tamalpais Union H.S. Dist. (OAH 2012)
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Are Bullies Emotionally Disturbed?
Bullying Behavior may Trigger Child Find Obligations
School Bd. of the City of Norfolk v. Brown (E.D.V.A. 2010). Repeated threats and harassment toward others put District on notice of Student's suspected disability
Bully may be Eligible as ED
Birdville Independent School Dist. (SEA TX 2011).Long-standing behavioral problems, including bullying classmates, misinterpreting others, and threatening to harm qualified student as ED
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Assessment/IEP Team Tips
Directly addresses five criteria for EDand aligns results to criteria in report
Address emerging behaviors with general education supports; document the impact of those interventions, but do not delay in assessing
Look at functioning in variety of settings: home, school, and community
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Assessment/IEP Team Tips
Placement is IEP team decision; don’tbe concerned about placement in the assessment process
Consider inclusion of nurse on IEP team
Do not limit yourself to a single possible eligibility category
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Other Health Impaired (“OHI”)
What is OHI?
Having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that Is due to chronic or acute health problems; and
Adversely affects a child’s educational performance
(34 C.F.R. § 300.8(c)(9).)
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OHI
Medical diagnosis not required
Diagnosis of a chronic or acute health problem alone will not suffice
Student v. Konocti USD (OAH 2010)
ADHD diagnosis alone not enough
Student could control behavior and made educational progress
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OHI
Mental illnesses qualify under OHI if they limit strength, vitality, or alertness
Auditory processing disorder considered an OHI?
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Does the Disability Actually Impact Vitality, Alertness, Strength?
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Dist. (SEHO 1995)
Student with chemical sensitivities did not show diminished strength, vitality or alertness
Inquiry ended there
HO need not consider issue of adverse effect on educational performance
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What is an “Adverse Effect”?
Not defined by law
Consider both academic and non-academic performance
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Adverse Effect
Student v. Bonita USD (OAH 2006)
Student with ADHD and declining grades not eligible because no decreased vitality, strength or alertness that impacted education
Declining grades due to lack of motivation
Student v. San Francisco USD (SEHO 2005)
Student not eligible because limited vitality in afternoons could be addressed with accommodations in general education setting
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Physical v. Psychological and “Feeling” Limited
Forest Hills Public Schools (SEA MI 2012) No requirement that limitation be physical in nature
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When is it OHI? When is it ED?
Mental Illness: May not meet the eligibility requirements for ED, but if adversely affects educational performance, student may be eligible under OHI(Student v. San Diego USD (OAH 2008)
Impact of Disorder: Anxiety/panic attacks may not meet the criteria for ED, but may tire child out, leading to limited vitality and meeting the criteria for OHI(Student v. Poway USD (OAH 2009)
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OHI Assessment Tips
Health condition (alone) is not sufficient for OHI
Is student exhibiting limited vitality, strength or alertness?
If so, is Student’s educational performance adversely impacted
Could impact be addressed in the general education setting?
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Specific Learning Disability (“SLD”)
What is SLD? Disorder in one or more of the basic psychological
processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations
Includes conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia
Does not include: Learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage
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Determining SLD Eligibility
Severe Discrepancy
Observation
Response to Intervention
Inappropriate Instruction/Other Factors
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Severe Discrepancy
Ford v. Long Beach USD (9th Cir. 2002)
Collaborative, data driven approach
IDEA does not compel the use of specific measures of either ability or achievement
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Observation
IDEA requires observation of students in learning environment, both before referral and by member of IEP team after referral in determining existence of SLD
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Response to Intervention
Permissive, not mandatory, method to establish eligibility under SLD
Eligibility determinations cannot be based solely on RTI
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Inappropriate Instruction/Other Factors
Consider whether the student’s under-achievement is due to other factors
Lack of motivation
Can be manifestation of disability
Home/transition issues
Other disabilities (including ED)
Inappropriate instruction
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Special Considerations
ADHD can be SLD eligible if there is both a processing disorder and a severe discrepancy (Norton v. Orinda SD (9th Cir. 1999)
E.M. v. Pajaro Valley USD (9th Cir. 2011)
When valid tests produce conflicting scores consider all relevant material to make reasonable choice in determining whether a ‘severe discrepancy’ exists
Student with processing disorder must still exhibit severe discrepancy to qualify under IDEA
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SLD Assessment/IEP Team Tips
Data! Collect data from classroom observations, teachers, staff, parents and providers
Look for patterns of weakness
Consider developmental history
Consider having speech/language practitioner on the IEP team
Information in this presentation, including but not limited to PowerPoint handouts and the presenters' comments, is summary only and not legal advice. We advise you to consult with legal counsel to determine how this information may apply to your specific facts and circumstances.
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