What is the difference between OI and OHI for IEP eligibility?

Eligibility for an IEP is based on whether a child has one of 13 qualifying diagnoses. Two are orthopedic impairment (OI) and other health impairment (OHI). It’s easy to mix up OI and OHI, but the key difference comes down to what they affect.

• OI is about movement: conditions that impact the bones, muscles, and joints, which can make mobility and motor function more challenging.
• OHI covers conditions that affect a student’s alertness, stamina, or energy levels, which can make learning more difficult.

OHI applies to students who have “limited strength, alertness (including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness in the educational environment), or vitality due to a chronic or acute health problem.” This can include conditions like ADHD, [epilepsy](/resources/epilepsy-101-2036, or Down syndrome, which don’t necessarily impact mobility but can still create barriers in the classroom.

Some students qualify under both categories. For example, a child with a neuromuscular condition might have mobility challenges (OI) and also experience fatigue or stamina issues (OHI) that make it harder to stay engaged in learning.

For more information, see our full article Orthopedic Impairment (OI) 101.