Today’s blog post is one of the most requested ones I’ve ever had and it’s all about special education acronyms. Honestly, when you’re new to special ed, these acronyms can become quickly overwhelming. Today in this blog post, I’m going to be sharing a bunch of acronyms, and I’ll keep adding to this over the years as new ones are created. Because, let’s face it. There are always going to be new acronyms.
Before I start, please note that some acronyms are slightly different all around the world. Underneath some of the acronyms, I have also included helpful links for you to follow in order to find out more about them.
ABA
Applied Behavior Analysis
AAC
Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Listen to our podcast episode here with Barbara from Smarty Symbols where we talk about AAC.
ABC
In the ABA world – ABC = Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Click here to read my blog post about ADHD.
ADLs
Activities of Daily Living
ADOS
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
APD
Auditory Processing Disorder
APE
Adapted Physical Education
APR
Annual Performance Report
AS
Asperger’s Syndrome
ASD
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Read all about autism here and take my autism quiz over on Instagram under the Autism Q&A highlight.
ASL
American Sign Language
AT
Assistive Technology
BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BD
Behavior Disorder
BIP
Behavior Intervention Plan
BOE
Board of Education
BSL
British Sign Language
CAPD
Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CARS
Childhood Autism Rating Scale
CBA
Curriculum Based Assessment
CF
Cystic Fibrosis
CP
Cerebral Palsy
DD
Developmental Delay
DS
Down Syndrome
DX
Diagnosis, Diagnostic, Diagnosed
EHC
Education, Health, Care
EI
Early Intervention
ELL
English Language Learner
ER
Evaluation Report
ESD
Extended School Day
ESY
Extended School Year
EWO
Education Welfare Officer
FAPE
Free Appropriate Public Education
FAS
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FBA
Functional Behavior Assessment
FERPA
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
GE
General Education
HI
Hearing Impairment
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE
Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP
Individual Education Plan
Find out more about IEPs on our podcast;
LA
Local Authority
LD
Learning Disability
LEA
Local Education Agency
LRE
Least Restrictive Environment
MD
Multiple Disabilities or Muscular Dystrophy
MDE
Multidisciplinary Evaluation
MDT
Multidisciplinary Team
MET
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team
MLD
Moderate Learning Disability
MSI
Multi-sensory Impairment
NEA
National Education Association
NT
Neurotypical
OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
ODD
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Read about ODD in our blog post here.
OHI
Other Health Impairment
OI
Orthopaedic Impairment
OT
Occupational Therapist
PALS
Peer-Assisted Learning System
PBS
Positive Behavioral Supports
PD
Physical Disability
PECS
Picture Exchange Communication System
PMLD
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties
PP
Paraprofessional
PR
Parental Responsibility
PT
Physical Therapist
RS
Related Services
RTI
Response to Intervention
SB
Spina Bifida
SEA
State Education Agency
SEN
Special Educational Needs
SENCo
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
SI
Sensory Integration
SLCN
Speech, Language and Communication Needs
SLD
Specific Learning Disability or Severe Learning Difficulty – Depending on country.
SLI
Speech Language Impairment
SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
SLT
Speech and Language Therapist
SPD
Sensory Processing Disorder
Listen to our sensory podcast episodes here;
- What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
- Sensory and Behavior
- What are Sensory Profiles? And How to Make Them
- Sensory Tips and Activities to Try
- Ideas for Sensory Rooms and Areas
- What is a Sensory Lifestyle?
- Why Sensory Play is Important
SPED / Spec. Ed.
Special Education
SpLD
Specific Learning Disability
TA
Teaching Assistant / Teachers Assistant
TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury
TS
Tourette Syndrome
TSS
Therapeutic Support Staff
VI
Visual Impairment
Are there any other acronyms that you want to know about or add to this list? If so, leave a comment below. I hope you found this list of special education acronyms helpful. If so, please consider sharing it with your friends and colleagues on social media.
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