Educational Diagnoses vs Medical Diagnoses
By: Dr. Gabrielle Baker, President & Advocate
Families are often surprised to learn that the diagnoses used in schools do not always match the diagnoses given by medical professionals. A child may have a medical diagnosis from a doctor, psychologist, or specialist, yet the school team might say the child does not qualify for services—or qualifies under a completely different category. This can be confusing and frustrating, especially when families are trying to secure the right supports. Understanding the difference between medical and educational diagnoses helps clarify why this happens and what parents can do to ensure their child gets appropriate help.
A medical diagnosis is determined by a healthcare provider using clinical criteria. These diagnoses identify conditions such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, dyslexia, or other disabilities based on symptoms and standardized assessments. Medical diagnoses guide treatment, therapies, and insurance coverage. They reflect how the condition impacts the child’s overall functioning, not just their performance in school.
An educational diagnosis, or educational eligibility category, is different. Schools classify students under categories defined by IDEA or Section 504. These categories include Autism, Other Health Impairment, Emotional Disability, Specific Learning Disability, and others. These determinations are not made to label a child but to decide whether the student qualifies for special education or accommodations. The key requirement is educational impact. A student must not only have a condition but also need specialized instruction or accommodations in order to access and benefit from their education.
Because the purposes are different, educational and medical diagnoses do not have to match. A child may have a medical diagnosis of ADHD but not qualify for an IEP because the school believes the symptoms do not significantly affect academics. Another student might have anxiety diagnosed by a therapist but receive school eligibility under Emotional Disability if the anxiety causes behavior or attendance issues. Conversely, a school may identify a Specific Learning Disability even if a child has no formal medical diagnosis, because the educational criteria are separate.
It is important for families to know that a school cannot ignore medical information, even if they do not adopt the same diagnostic label. Medical reports provide critical data that must be considered by the team when determining eligibility and designing supports. Likewise, parents can request evaluations, independent assessments, and meetings to ensure the school fully understands how the disability affects learning, behavior, or access to instruction.
Medical and educational diagnoses serve different roles, but both are valuable. Medical diagnoses explain why a child struggles. Educational diagnoses determine how the school must support them. When families and schools work together—and when both types of information are considered—students are far more likely to receive the appropriate services they need to thrive.
