In order for a student to be covered by the IDEA (and, in Pennsylvania, covered under 22 PA Code Chapter 14), he or she must be an individual with a disability who, because of that disability, is in need of special education and related services.  Students who have a disability and who require accommodations and modifications to regular instruction, but no specialized instruction, may be entitled to a written, enforceable  service plan under  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (commonly referred to as Section 504, and in Pennsylvania, covered under 22 PA Code Chapter 15). The IDEA lists several specific disability classifications that fall into three broad groups: physical impairments; mental, emotional and cognitive impairments; and a sort of “catch-all” category to serve children with other needs.  The most prevalent of these disabilities are described in more detail below.  (20 U.S.C. § 1401(3)(A)(i)).

Autism