There are so many labels for our children that it can make your head spin.  Many times their issues are complex and fit the definition of many of these labels at the same time.  Of course to make it all the more confusing, psychologist and educators turn everything into an acronym so it can sound like they are just spitting out alphabet soup when they talk.  Learn the lingo, so you can keep up with meetings and reports about your child. 

The Labels:

What do they all mean?

ADD/ADHD -  Attention Deficit/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorders

BD - Behavioral Disorder

DD - Developmental Delay

APD - Central Auditory Processing Disorder

ED - Emotional Disturbance

ID - Intellectual Disability 

LD - Learning Disability

MR - Mental Retardation (rarely used anymore)

OCD - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

ODD - Oppositional Defiant Disorder

PDD - Pervasive Developmental Disorder

RAD - Reactive Attachment Disorder

SED - Serious Emotional Disturbance

SPD - Sensory Processing Disorder

TS - Tourette Syndrome

The Acronyms for Common Diagnosis:

The Common Therapies:

OT - Occupational Therapy

PT - Physical Therapy

SLP - Speech/Language Pathologist

Other Helpful Acronyms:

ABA - Applied Behavioral Analysis

ABC - Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence

ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act

APE - Adaptive Physical Education

ASL -  American Sign Language

AT - Assistive Technology

ATA - Assistive Technology Act

AYP - Adequate Yearly Progress

BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst

BIP - Behavioral Intervention Plan

CAP - Corrective Action Plan

CBA - Curriculum Based Assessment

CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CEC - Council for Exceptional Children

CHIP - Children’s Health Insurance Program

DD Act - Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act

DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association

ECE - Early Childhood Education

ECSE - Early Childhood Special Education

EI - Early Intervention

EIS - Early Intervening Services

ELL - English Language Learner

ESD - Extended School Day

ESL - English as a Second Language

ESY or EYS - Extended School Year or Extended Year Services

FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education

FBA - Functional Behavioral Assessment

FC - Facilitated Communication

GE - General Education

GPRA - Government Performance and Results Act

​

​

GT - Gifted and Talented

HI - Hearing Impaired

IA - Instructional Assistant

IAES - Interim Alternative Educational Setting

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IEE - Individualized Educational Evaluation

IEP - Individualized Education Program

IFSP - Individualized Family Service Plan

ITP - Individualized Transition Plan

LEA - Local Education Agency

LEP - Limited English Proficiency

LRE - Least Restrictive Environment

NASDSE - National Association of State Directors of Special Education

NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act (Elementary and Secondary Education Act,  reauthorized in 2015 as ESSA, Every Student Succeeds Act)

NIH - National Institutes of Health

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PBS - Positive Behavioral Supports

PLEP or PLP - Present Level of Educational Performance or Present Level of Performance

PP - Paraprofessional

RS - Related Services

Section 504 - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

SI - Sensory Integration

SLD - Specific Learning Disability

SLI - Speech/Language Impairment

SSDI - Social Security Disability Income

SSI - Supplemental Security Income