Definitions for "Exceptional Children"
Those children who have autism, mental retardation, specific learning disabilities, hearing impairments, language impairments, speech impairments, behavior disorders, physical impairments, other health impairments, severe multiple disabilities, deaf-blindness, traumatic brain injury, or visual impairments; children eligible for early childhood special education services; or children who are gifted.
Children whose performance deviates from the norm (either above or below) to the extent that special programming is needed.
Children whose school performance shows significant discrepancy between ability and achievement, and who, as a result, require special instruction, assistance, or equipment. Also includes gifted children.