Persons with special needs have innate abilities and when properly harnessed through proper education would be able to contribute ultimately to their development as well as that of the society they reside in terms of political, social, economic and technological development. Before such group of persons can be properly educated there is the dire…

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) has emerged as a powerful new tool to identify genomic abnormalities associated with a wide range of developmental disabilities including congenital malformations, cognitive impairment, and behavioral abnormalities. CMA includes array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and single nucleotide polymorphism…

This article documents the eligibility procedures and student assessment result of a project for identifying university students with learning disabilities. Many legal issues are relevant in the classification of young adults with disabilities, including the use of standardized procedures for establishing disability status which are meant to…

Discusses the case of an 8-year-old boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, problem behavior, and good grades, who was denied eligibility for special education under IDEA's "other health impaired" clause and Section 504. The court "ducked" on the parent's second claim concerning level of services available under…

Learning-disabled college graduates' entry into professional schools has raised numerous legal issues concerning their matriculation qualifications, need for accommodations, and eventual ability to practice successfully. Discusses each issue in a legal education context, following an explanation of learning disabilities and the federal statutes…

Several recent court decisions provide ammunition for fighting over-identification of students who have impairments (like Attention Deficit Disorder) but who fail to meet the remaining eligibility requirements under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. Distinguishing between Section 504 and IDEA requirements is crucial. (MLH)

Compared to students from affluent public and prep schools, few inner-city students receive extra time or other accommodations when taking high-stakes tests. The growth in "false positives" among affluent youth may partly stem from nonspecific definitions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Fairness is being…

Discussion of new factors in legal requirements for school accommodation of persons with disabilities highlights statutory and case-law interpretations for persons with disabilities such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, sensory impairments, orthopedic impairments, learning disabilities, and drug and alcohol addiction, and includes policy…