Affirming language for all
special education eligibility categories

• Official IDEA definitions for special education eligibility categories.

• Side-by-side "reframes" for each definition using strength-based and neurodiversity-affirming language.

• Alternative terms, such as "Emotional Disability" instead of "Emotional Disturbance" and "Hard of Hearing" instead of "Hearing Impairment".

• Language that shifts the focus from deficits to unique profiles, strengths, and differences.