The Labels:
What do they all mean?
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 Acronyms for Common Diagnosis:
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 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