As you participate in your child’s special education process, you may feel that everyone has started speaking a foreign language during meetings. While it may seem like a foreign language, it is a language of initials (acronyms). Acronyms are used often and it is assumed that everyone is familiar with the meaning. We put together a quick reference list in the hopes that it may bring more understanding and clarity.

Knowledge is power

ADA:  Americans with Disabilities Act

ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

APE: Adapted Physical Education

APR: Annual Performance Report

ASHA: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

ASL:  American Sign Language

AT:  Assistive Technology

AU: Autism

AYP: Adequate Yearly Progress

BD: Behavior Disorders

BIA: Bureau of Indian Affairs

BIP: Behavioral Intervention Plan

CEC: Council on Exceptional Children

CD: Cognitive Delay

CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder

CIFMP: Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring Process

COTA: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

CSPD: Comprehensive System of Personnel Development

CP: Cerebral Palsy

DB: Deaf-Blindness

DD: Developmental Disability

DOH: Department of Health

DPH: Due Process Hearing

DPHO: Due Process Hearing Officer

DSM-IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV

ED: Emotional Disturbance

EI: Early Intervention

ESY: Extended School Year

FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education

FBA: Functional Behavior Assessment

FERPA: Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

FM: Focused Monitoring

GT: Gifted and Talented

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act

ICC: Interagency Coordinating Council

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IEE: Individual Education Evaluation

IEP: Individual Education Program

IFSP: Individual Family Service Plan

IHCP: Individualized Health Care Plan

IQ: Intelligence Quotient

LA: Lead Agency

LD: Learning Disability

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

NECTAC: National Early Childhood and Technical Assistance Center

OCR: Office for Civil Rights

ODD: Oppositional Defiant Disorder

OHI: Other Health Impaired

OI: Orthopedic Impairment

O&M: Orientation and Mobility

OSEP: Office of Special Education Programs

OSERS: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services

OT: Occupational Therapy

P&A: Protection and Advocacy

Part B: Special Education—School-Aged Children

Part C: Special Education—Birth–Two Years Old

PDD: Pervasive Development Disorders

PLP: Present Levels of Educational Performance

PT: Physical Therapist

PTIC: Parent Training and Information Center

RRC: Regional Resource Center

SA: Self-Assessment

SAT: Student Assistance Team

SEA: State Education Agency

SEAP: State Special Education Advisory Panel

SI: Sensory Integration

SIG: State Improvement Grant

SIP: State Improvement Plan

SL: Speech Language

SLP: Speech Language Pathologist

STO: Short Term Objective

TAT: Teacher Assistance Team

TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury

TDD/TTY: Telecommunications Device for the Deaf

USDE: United States Department of Education

VI: Visual Impairment

VR: Vocational Rehabilitation

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