What does Other Health Impairment (OHI) refer to under IDEA?

Other Health Impairment (OHI) refers specifically to a category of disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that encompasses a range of health conditions that can significantly affect a student's educational performance. This category is designed to include students with chronic or acute health issues such as epilepsy, diabetes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), asthma, or other conditions that impact their capacity to learn and interact in the educational environment.

Such health impairments do not just refer to physical ailments; they also include mental health issues that may hinder academic achievement and social interaction. Thus, recognizing OHI allows educational professionals to tailor support and accommodations to address the unique needs of these students, ensuring they have equitable access to education. The focus is on how these conditions affect the student’s learning and participation in school activities, which is central to the definition and purpose of the OHI category under IDEA.