178 / 190
1342.12 Companion
July 12, 2017
Page 178
Definitions
“Age of eligibility”
means all eligible students with disabilities who have not graduated with a standard
or honors diploma who, because of such disabilities, are in need of special education and related
services, and whose third birthday falls on or before September 1, and who have not reached their 22nd
birthday on or before September 1 (three to 21, inclusive) A child with a disability whose 22nd birthday
is after September 1 remains eligible for the remainder of the school year.
“Age of majority”
means the age when a person acquires the rights and responsibilities of being an
adult. For purposes of this Manual, a child attains majority at age 18, unless the child has been
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be incompetent, or, if the child has not been
determined to be incompetent, he or she is incapable of providing informed consent with respect to his
or her educational program.
“Alternate assessment”
means an objective and consistent process that validly measures the
performance of students with disabilities unable to participate, even with appropriate accommodations
provided as necessary and as determined by their respective CSC, in a system-wide assessment.
“Alternative educational setting”
(AES) means a temporary setting in or out of the school, other than
the setting normally attended by the student (e.g., alternative classroom, home setting, installation
library) as determined by school authorities or the CSC in accordance with Enclosure 4 of DoDI 1342.12
as the appropriate learning environment for a student because of a violation of school rules and
regulations or disruption of regular classroom activities.
“Assistive technology device”
means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or
improve the functional capabilities of a student with a disability. The term does not include a medical
device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of that device.
“Assistive technology service”
means any service that directly assists a student with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes: evaluating the needs
of an individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation in the individual’s customary
environment; purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology
devices by individuals with disabilities; selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying,
maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices; coordinating and using other therapies,
interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing
educational and rehabilitative plans and programs; training or technical assistance for an individual with
disabilities or the family of an individual with disabilities; and training or technical assistance for
professionals (including individuals providing educational rehabilitative services), employers, or other
individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life
functions of an individual with a disability.
“Autism spectrum disorder”
(ASD) means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and
nonverbal communication and social interaction that adversely affects a child’s educational
performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities
and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and
unusual responses to sensory experiences. Essential features are typically but not necessarily
manifested before age 3. Autism may include autism spectrum disorders such as but not limited to
autistic disorder; pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified; and Asperger’s syndrome.