As the Auntie, Godmother or other special person in the life of someone with a disability, it is quite helpful to know some of the terminology utilized in the daily lives of special needs kids. After all, there may be times you are called upon to accompany a parent and special needs child to a doctor or therapy appointment.  It is also recommended to bring a support person to the annual IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting at school to determine the child’s education plan.  And as a Savvy Auntie, you just want to feel 'in-the-know' when it comes to the special needs child in your life.

The following list will help you get up to speed on these terms, which will help the family immensely:

Disabilities

AD – Attachment Disorder
ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AS – Asperger’s Syndrome
ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder
CAPD – Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CF – Cystic Fibrosis
CP – Cerebral Palsy
DB – Deaf/ Blindness
DD – Developmentally Delayed
DS – Down Syndrome
ED – Emotionally Disturbed
FAS – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
GT/LD- Gifted & Learning Disabled
HI – Hearing Impaired
MD - Muscular Dystrophy
MR – Mental Retardation
NLD – Nonverbal Learning Disorder
NOS – Not Otherwise Specified
OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder
OHI – Other Health Impairment
PDD – Pervasive Developmental Disorder
SLD – Specific Learning Disability
SPD – Sensory Processing Disorder
VI – Visually Impaired


Organizations

ACDS - Association for Children with Down Syndrome
ASA - Autism Society of America
ARC - Association for Retarded Citizens
CFF  - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
CHADD - Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
ES - Easter Seals
FEAT -  Families for Early Autistic Treatment
NADS - National Association for Down Syndrome
NCLD - National Center For Learning Disorders
NFXF - National Fragile X Foundation
NICHCY - National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
PHP -  Parents Helping Parents
TASK - Team of Advocates for Special Kids
UA – Unlocking Autism
UCP - United Cerebral Palsy

Special Education

AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
ASL – American Sign Language
AT – Assistive Technology
AUT – Autism
BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan
DX – Diagnosis
EI – Early Intervention
ESY – Extended School Year (summer school)
FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education
FBA – Functional Behavior Assessment
IDEA – Individual with Disabilities Education Act
IEE – Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP – Individual Education Plan
IFSP – Individual Family Service Plan
Inclusion –  student with disability in general education
IPP – Individual Program Plan
ITP – Individual Transition Plan
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
Mediation –  Resolve conflict in Non-adversarial manner
MRS – Mental Retardation Severe
NCLB - No Child Left Behind
PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System
SDC – Special Day Class
Section 504 Plan –  Educational benefits to kids with Learning Disabilities (ADHD)
SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
TEACCH – Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication-handicapped Children

Therapies

ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis
AIT – Auditory Integration Training
AVB – Applied Verbal Behavior
DIR – Developmental Indifference Relationship (Floortime Model)
DTT – Discrete Trial Training
FC – Facilitated Communication
HIPPO – utilizes Horses
RDI – Relationship Development Intervention
OT – Occupational Therapy
PT – Physical Therapy
Adaptive PE – Physical Education (IEP)

Miscellaneous

Aspie –  Person with Asperger’s Syndrome
DDS – Department of Developmental Services
FSP – Family Support Plan
GFCF – gluten free/casein free (no wheat or dairy)
HFA – High Functioning Autistic
HOH – Hard of Hearing
IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IHSS – In Home Supportive Services
NT – Neurologically Typical (someone with no disability)
PDR – Physician’s Desk Reference
RC – Regional Center
SSI – Supplemental Security Income

Please add any additional abbreviations you feel are helpful in the Comments section below. Thank you.