In the United
States, approximately 1,200 pregnancies are affected by anencephaly and 1,500 babies are born with
spina bifida each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Limited to students with special needs, those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; cerebral palsy; Down syndrome; an intellectual disability; muscular dystrophy; Phelan - McDermid syndrome; Prader - Willi syndrome;
spina -
bifida; Williams syndrome; identified as deaf, visually impaired, or having a traumatic brain injury defined by the
State Board of Education; those who are hospitalized or homebound with a medically diagnosed physical or psychiatric condition for more than six months; or students age 3, 4, or 5 who are considered «high - risk» due to developmental delays