Special Education is an educational instruction specially designed for children with disability, at no cost to parents. This definition is according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that is governed by federal law in most educational authorities. To avail this service, children with disabilities must pass the criteria set by IDEA and defined by the jurisdiction’s law surrounding special education.

There are 13 categories of disability under IDEA that include autism, deaf or blindness, developmental delays, emotional disturbance, hearing impairments, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairments, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairments.

Idyllically, all students must have equal access to good education to achieve their potential. And the goal of special education is to make sure that students with specials needs can take part and have access to education and the curriculum at any time possible. Under IDEA, gifted and talented special students are seen extraordinary, although, other jurisdictions may also put Gifted in part of their legislation.

At school, a child who is seen or observed to be needing special education support is normally referred to the school’s special education committee. Both parents and teachers can make referrals for special education. If this is the case, parents must have all necessary information and documentation of the result of every test and every process done in relation to the child to inform the school about the child’s disabilities if already known before attending school. Any child being considered for special education services will have to go through several assessments and psychological testing to determine if he or she qualifies to receive special education supports. But, before any assessment or testing will be done, the parent must sign consent forms.