State of Wisconsin Eligibility Criteria for Children with Disability

Cognitive Disability

1. Cognitive disability means significantly subaverage intellectual functioning that exists concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and that adversely affects educational performance.
2. The IEP team may identify a child as having a cognitive disability if the child meets the criteria under subd. 1.a. or b., 2. and 3.a. or b. as follows:
   1. a. The child has a standard score of 2 or more standard deviations below. the mean on at least one individually administered intelligence test developed to assess intellectual functioning.

      b. The child has a standard score between 1 and 2 standard deviations below the mean on at least one individually administered intelligence test, the child has been documented as having a cognitive disability in the past, and the child's condition is expected to last indefinitely.

   2. The child has deficits in adaptive behavior as demonstrated by a standard score of 2 or more standard deviations below the mean on standardized or nationally-normed measures, as measured by comprehensive, individual assessments that include interviews of the parents, tests, and observations of the child in adaptive behavior which are relevant to the child's age, such as:
      1. Communication
      2. Self-care.
      3. Home living skills.
      4. Social skills.
      5. Appropriate use of resources in the community.
      6. Self-direction.
      7. Health and safety.
      8. Applying academic skills in life.
      9. Leisure.
      10. Work.
   3. a. The child is age 3 through 5 and has a standard score of 2 or more standard deviations below the mean on standardized or nationally-normed measures, as measured by comprehensive, individual assessments, in at least 2 of the following areas: academic readiness, comprehension of language or communication, or motor skills.

      b. The child is age 6 through 21 and has a standard score of 2 or more standard deviations below the mean on standardized or nationally-normed measures, as measured by comprehensive, individual assessments, in general information and at least 2 of the following areas: written language, reading, or mathematics.
      

NOTE: Cognitive disabilities typically manifest before age 18. An etiology should be determined when possible, so that the IEP team can use this information for program planning.