ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
ABA: Applied Behavioral Analysis – An evidence-based therapy which teaches using a series of trials to shape desired behaviors or responses; skills are broken into small components and taught to a child through a system of reinforcement.
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act – A US law that ensures the rights of persons with disabilities with regard to access employment and other issues.
Asperger Syndrome: A developmental disorder on the Autism spectrum, defined by impairments in communication, social development, and repetitive interests and behaviors, without a significant delay in cognition or language. In the 5th revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5th Edition (DSM-5), Asperger Syndrome became a part of the diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Chelation: The technique of introducing a substance into the circulatory system to remove minerals from the body; it is often used to treat poisoning by heavy metals like iron, lead, and arsenic, but is not an evidence-based treatment for ASD.
DIR Floor time: Developmental Individual Differences Relationship Based – A therapy that seeks to move the child toward increasingly complex interactions through mutually shared engagement.
DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition -The official diagnostic manual published by the American Psychological Association for classification of all psychological and psychiatric disorders.
DT: Developmental Therapy – Individualized intervention designed to promote self-help, cognitive, motor, language, social, and emotional skills
Extended School Year – Services provided during school breaks for students that experience significant regression during school vacations.
Executive Functioning: Brain processes that are involved in the planning, organizing and execution of a task.
Free Appropriate Public Education – All qualified persons with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate public education from ages three through twenty-one.
GFCF Gluten Free – Casein Free diet – A dietary treatment that limits the intake of the proteins Gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye and oats) and Casein (founding milk); GCFC diets are not an evidence-based treatment for autism
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A controversial treatment for a number of disorders and maladies by inducing increased blood oxygen levels in a chamber with two to three times the normal atmospheric pressure
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – US law for all persons with disabilities ages 3 to 21 that requires free public education based on Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
IEP: Individualized Education Plan – Identification of specific learning expectations for the individual student, and how the school will address them with appropriate services. For students age 14 and older, the IEP must also contain plans for transitioning into post-secondary education, the workplace, or to live as independently as possible in the community.
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment – A part of IDEA that requires children with disabilities to be educated with on-disabled peers (general education) to the greatest extent possible
OT: Occupational Therapy – OT specializes in the development of motor skills that students need for daily living to foster independence (hand-eye coordination, balance, sensory issues, and self-help skills).
PECS: Picture Exchange Communication System – A six-phase communication system using pictures and symbols that are exchanged to request items, express needs, and formulate sentences.
PLAY Project: Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters – An intensive intervention program for children 18 months to 5 years old that utilizes Difluoride model and interactive play with parents to develop communication and social skills.
PRT: Pivotal Response Treatment – Therapeutic teaching method using incidental teaching opportunities to target and modify key behaviors related to communication, behavior, and social skills.
RDI: Relationship Development Intervention – A therapeutic teaching method that focuses on making social connections in early childhood.
SI: Sensory Integration – The brain’s integration of sensory signals inside the body (i.e. proprioception) and in the out-side environment (i.e., sound, sight, texture, smell, taste, and temperature)
Sensory Processing: A complex number of brain processes to receive, organize and interpret sensory signals in the environment and inside one’s body.
SCERTS: Social Communication/Emotional Regulation/Trans-actional Support – A multidisciplinary model for improving so-CIA communication, emotional regulation, and transactions between the individual and their environment using various supports.
SSG: Social Skills Group – A therapeutic and educational group that teaches individuals the skills needed to make and maintain friendships.
SSI: Social Security Income – Eligible individuals with autism and financial need could apply for social security and supplemental security income by contacting their local Social Security Administration.
ST/SLP: Speech Therapy / Speech and LanguagePathology – Individualized therapy that focuses onimproving verbal and nonverbal communicationabilities.
Structured Teaching: Teaching by modifying the environment to better incorporate visuals, routines, and concrete ways to present information (utilizes and concrete)
TEACCH: Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children – An evidence-based service, training and research program that provides resource-es and services to families and individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorders.
Theory of Mind: A philosophical view on one’s ability to at-tribute intent and desire to themselves and others; people with ASD often have “theory of the mind impairments” which makes it difficult for them to understand situations through others’ perspective.
VB: Verbal Behavior Therapy – A form of therapy developed based on B. F. Skinner’s behavior conditioning research to teach and reinforce speech and related skills.
504 Plan– Individualized modifications and accommodations for students with disabilities to be able to participate in federally funded programs such as elementary school; modifications and accommodations may include wheelchair access and extra textbooks.
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