Can a child be coded eligible for special education services with more than one disability?

Dear Margaret,

Your question addresses whether a child may be “coded” or identified as eligible for special education services under multiple labels, such as OHI and LD. Alternatively, you are interested in whether a child with multiple disabilities can or should be labeled as Multiply Impaired. At the outset, the IDEA makes clear that the label that is assigned by the school is for the purpose of establishing eligibility for services, but is not supposed to predetermine or limit the placement or services that the child is provided.

The child’s needs, related to the identified disability (ies), whether directly or indirectly, all must be addressed by the IEP with goals, services, and/or accommodations. If your child has been identified as having multiple disabilities, this should be reflected on the IEP, regardless of whether the child is formally identified with both disabilities under the state coding or labeling system.

States vary as to whether schools should formally assign labels for all disabilities that meet eligibility criteria, whether the disabilities should be prioritized as “primary” and “secondary,” or whether only one label should be used for purposes of eligibility. Again, regardless of the state labeling rule, all identified disabilities must be addressed, as well as the indirect effects of those disabilities.

With respect to the Multiple Impairment label, this is not intended to be used for any child with more than one disability. Rather, it is specifically intended for those children that have multiple, SEVERE disabilities. Thus, in the examples you offer, the Multiple Impairment label might be an option, but more likely would not be appropriate. The use of the MI label is not related to whether the several disabilities are equally significant in their impact, but rather that several are severe.