A student who is nonverbal and has Crohn's disease would most likely qualify for special education and related services under which IDEA category?

• A. Orthopedic Impairment
• B. Traumatic Brain Injury
• C. Other Health Impairment
• D. Specific Learning Disability

Answer: (C)

A student with Crohn’s disease would qualify under Other Health Impairment when a health condition causes limited energy, stamina, or alertness and negatively affects learning. Crohn’s is a chronic illness that can lead to fatigue, pain, frequent medical appointments, and school absences. When these factors interfere with attention, participation, or progress in school, they meet the IDEA criterion for an impairment that requires special education and related services.

Other categories aren’t a fit here: an orthopedic impairment focuses on physical mobility issues; a traumatic brain injury is for a brain injury; a specific learning disability describes processing difficulties not primarily due to a health condition. The key idea is that the health condition itself and its impact on education drive eligibility, not the student’s communication mode.