Reading Disorder: Reading achievement as measured by standardized tests of reading accuracy or comprehension is substantially below that expected given the person’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age appropriate education (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).

Mathematics Disorder: Mathematical ability as measured by standardized tests is substantially below that expected given the person’s age, intelligence and age-appropriate education (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).

Written Expression Disorder: A learning disability in which a person’s ability to communicate in writing is substantially below the level normally expected based on the individual’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age appropriate education. (The Access Project, CSU)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a neurologically-based medical condition. According to the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision), "The essential feature of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development." (The Access Project, CSU)

Anxiety disorders are chronic conditions that produce feelings which may interfere with a person's ability to carry out normal or desired activities. Some of the most common anxiety disorders include General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and a variety of phobias. (The Access Project, CSU)

Two broadly recognized groups of Mood Disorders are Depressive Disorders (also known as unipolar depression) and Bipolar Disorders; the former being far more common than the latter. The division between the two is based on whether the person has ever had a Manic, Mixed or Hypomanic Episode. (The Access Project, CSU)

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Autism Fact Sheet, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is:
“a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Autistic disorder, sometimes called autism or classical ASD, is the most severe form of ASD, while other conditions along the spectrum include a milder form known as Asperger syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Although ASD varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group. Experts estimate that 1 out of 88 children age 8 will have an ASD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 30, 2012). Males are four times more likely to have an ASD than females.” (The Access Project, CSU).

Traumatic brain injury, often referred to as TBI, is most often an acute event similar to other injuries. That is where the similarity between traumatic brain injury and other injuries ends. One moment the person is normal and the next moment life has abruptly changed.

In most other aspects, a traumatic brain injury is very different. Since our brain defines who we are, the consequences of a brain injury can affect all aspects of our lives, including our personality. A brain injury is different from a broken limb or punctured lung. An injury in these areas limit the use of a specific part of your body, but your personality and mental abilities remain unchanged. Most often, these body structures heal and regain their previous function.

Brain injuries do not heal like other injuries. Recovery is a functional recovery, based on mechanisms that remain uncertain. No two brain injuries are alike and the consequence of two similar injuries may be very different. Symptoms may appear right away or may not be present for days or weeks after the injury.

One of the consequences of brain injury is that the person often does not realize that a brain injury has occurred. (www.traumaticbraininjury.com)

Mobility impairment refers to the inability of a person to use one or more of his/her extremities, or a lack of strength to walk, grasp, or lift objects. The use of a wheelchair, crutches, or a walker may be utilized to aid in mobility. Mobility impairment may be caused by a number of factors, such as disease, an accident, or a congenital disorder and may be the result from neuro-muscular and orthopedic impairments. (The Access Project, CSU)

A long-standing illness for which there is no known cure. It is not immediately life threatening but can give rise to unpleasant and painful symptoms and can include waning and waxing of a variety of physical, mental and/or cognitive symptoms. Chronic illness may include but are not limited to:

• A nervous system impairment that impacts movement or mobility.
• A musculoskeletal condition.
• A chronic health impairment that seriously impacts students’ the students’ academic ability to achieve when compared to his or her peers.

Common chronic illness symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

• Muscle weakness
• Extreme fatigue
• Anxiety and/or depression
• Physical pain
• Intellectual impairments that vary from day to day in severity
• Diminished mental/emotional capacities

(The Access Project, CSU)

Deaf: The term deaf refers to those who are unable to hear well enough to rely on their hearing and use it as a means of processing information. When capitalized, Deaf refers to a community of people who share a language—typically American Sign Language (ASL)—and a culture.

Hearing Impairments/Hard of Hearing: Hearing Impairments and Hard of Hearing refers to those who have some hearing, are able to use it for communication purposes, and who feel reasonably comfortable doing so. A hard of hearing person, in audiological terms, may have mild to moderate hearing loss.

(The Access Project, CSU)

Blindness: Blindness is defined as the loss of useful sight. A person is blind if his or her vision, with the use of a correcting lens, is 20/200 or less in the better eye. A person who has tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less in the better eye is also considered blind.

Low Vision: Low vision is a term that denotes a level of vision that is 20/70 or worse and cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses. Low vision differs from blindness in that a person with low vision has some useful sight as opposed to no sight.

(The Access Project, CSU)