My son is ten and was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of four. His primary disability was categorized as  "Emotionally Disability. He has since been diagnosed with HFA and ADHD. I am in the process of having his primary disability to Autism/ADHD.They are two totally different and individual disabilities from emotionally disabled. Though I had to convince the others at the IEP of that fact.

I wanted his IEP changed before he reached middle and high school so he would not fall through the cracks. I felt that the wrong disability term would greatly affect the way he was perceived by teachers at the new school since emotional disabled is ,in my opinion anyway,a very loose description. It includes such things as depression and schizophrenia.

I got the information needed  from the PRO-Parents Inc. (Proparents.org.)I don't know what state you are in but I would assume that there should be one in your state.

They list the 13 disabilities recognized under IDEA.These are educational diagnosis not medical diagnosis.

*Autism                               *Multiple Disabilities

*Deaf-Blindness                    *Orthopedic Impairment

*Deafness                            *Other Health Impairment

*Visual Impairment                 *Specific Learning Disability

*Emotional Disturbance           *Speech or Language Impairment

*Hearing Impairment               *Traumatic Brain Injury

*Mental Retardation

If you are unsatisfied with the category your son has been put in by all means request it to be changed. It does have to go through the proper channels though.

We are doing the CARS test again,vision,speak,& hearing evaluations,in-home observation for about 30 minutes,etc. (all provided by the school system.) I am also taking him for a complete physical with his regular doctor. That will be my only cost.

Basically, if you are unsatisfied with hie categorization then by all means have it changed.

I hope this helped! Good Luck!