As the parent of a child with any type of disability, you are likely to come across a wide range of acronyms used by teachers, schools, medical professionals and others caring for your child.
Below is a handy list of the most common acronyms, and what they stand for, that the families of children with disabilities encounter.
ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AFDC – Aid to Families with Dependent Children
ALC – Alternative Learning Center
ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder
AYP – Adequate Yearly Progress
BD – Behavior Disordered
BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan
CAPD – Central Auditory Processing Disorder
DD – Developmental Disability
DESE – Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
DMH – Department of Mental Health
DS – Down Syndrome
DSM-IV-R – Diagnostic & Statistical manual of Mental Disorders 4th Rev.
DVR – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
ECSE – Early Childhood Special Education
ED – Emotional Disturbance
ESEA -Elementary and Secondary Education Act
ESL – English as a Second Language
ESY – Extended School Year
FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education
FBA – Functional Behavior Assessment
FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
GAF – Global Assessment of Functioning
HI -Hearing Impairment
HQT -Highly Qualified Teacher
ICF -Intermediate Care Facility
ID – Intellectual Disability
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE – Independent Education Evaluation
IEP – Individual Education Plan
IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan
IQ – Intelligence Quotient
LEA – Local Educational Agency
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
MD – Multiple Disabilities
NCLB – No child Left Behind
OCR – Office of Civil Rights
OHI – Other Health Impairment
OI – Orthopedic Impairment
OT – Occupational Therapist
PBSP – Positive Behavior Support Plan
PCP – Person Centered Plan
POS – Purchase of Service
PT – Physical Therapist
RBP – Research-Based Practices
RFP – Request for Proposal
SEA – State Educational Agency
SI – Sensory Integration
SLD – Specific Learning Disability
SLP – Speech/Language Pathologist
SSA – Social Security Act or Administration
SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI – Supplemental Security Income
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
VI – Visual Impairment
VR – Vocational Rehabilitation
WEC – Work Experience Coordinator
YCDD – Young Child with a Developmental Delay