This webinar examines the overlap and critical distinctions between eligibility determinations for Emotional Disturbance (ED) and Other Health Impairment (OHI) under IDEA, with a particular focus on students presenting with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and related conditions. This session moves beyond diagnostic labels to emphasize educational impact, pattern of impairment, and regulatory criteria that guide eligibility decisions. Through two case examples, participants will explore how similar symptom profiles can lead to different eligibility outcomes depending on chronicity, pervasiveness, response to intervention, and the primary mechanism affecting educational performance. This webinar highlights common issues that arise and evidence-based strategies for clearly documenting the rationale of eligibility.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Differentiate eligibility criteria for ED and OHI by analyzing patterns of emotional, behavioral, and attentional functioning in relation to IDEA requirements and educational impact.
Identify when anxiety, depression, or ADHD-related concerns are more appropriately considered under OHI rather than ED, based on chronicity, pervasiveness, and primary mechanism of impairment.
Apply evidence-based decision-making strategies to document eligibility determinations.

Qualification Level Required: B

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Target Audience: Clinical psychologists, Doctoral Level Trainees in Private Practice, Educational Diagnosticians, Graduate Students, Mental Health Clinicians, Mental Health Professionals, Neuropsychologists, Practitioners, Psychologists, School Psychologists

*Participants wishing to receive continuing education (CE) credit must attend the entire webinar and complete the postwebinar evaluation form. Once participants have completed the evaluation, your letter of attendance will be available for immediate download from your account. PAR is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to provide continuing education for psychologists. PAR’s NASP APS Provider Number is 1051. PAR is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PAR is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0274. PAR is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0226. PAR maintains responsibility for this program and its content.