Understanding the criteria and process for determining a student's eligibility for special education services is critical for any educator in an inclusive school environment. Based on the current reauthorization of IDEA 2004, this timely resource offers teachers and administrators an overview of each eligible disability and clear, specific guidelines for evaluating students. Written by legal and special education experts Roger Pierangelo and George Giuliani, this reader-friendly text helps educators identify the characteristics of disabilities, establish procedures and assessment measures, and make appropriate eligibility decisions before, during, and after an individualized education program (IEP) meeting. With chapters organized by specific disability, this practical tool includes a quick-reference glossary and: (1) Presents detailed and accessible information based on the most up-to-date legal resources; (2) Addresses response to intervention (RTI) techniques for assessing students with learning difficulties; and (3) Offers recommendations for working with families, educators, and service providers. "Special Education Eligibility" is an ideal guidebook for working effectively with students who have disabilities and providing them with the most appropriate educational services to promote their success. Following a preface and about the authors, this book contains fourteen chapters: (1) Overview of Special Education and Eligibility Procedures; (2) Autism; (3) Deaf-Blindness; (4) Developmental Delay; (5) Emotional Disturbance; (6) Hearing Impairment; (7) Specific Learning Disabilities; (8) Mental Retardation; (9) Multiple Disabilities; (10) Orthopedic Impairment; (11) Other Health Impairments; (12) Speech and Language Impairments (Communication Disorders); (13) Traumatic Brain Injury; and (14) Visual Impairment. A glossary, references, suggested readings and an index are also included.