Speech Jargon every parent should know!

I remember my first few years as a speech pathologist I was overwhelmed with all the abbreviations that my coworkers would use every day. In fact there were many times I had to run back to my office and look up what some things meant as I was new to the school system. I can empathize as a parent now how difficult sitting in a special education meeting must be if you are not familiar with the terms or abbreviations that we in education use on a daily basis. I have compiled several terms here that you may come across, so whether you are a new SLP or a parent, I hope these offer some help!

504: A document that provides children with necessary accomodations in school with a disability.
AAC: Augmentative Alternative Communication. Patients who have severe communication disorders can use AAC products or devices to learn compensatory strategies to communicate.
ABA: Applied Behavior Analysis. This is a therapy method that is based upon the idea that rewards and consequences that can promote targeted behaviors. An ABA therapist is one who is certified and has completed appropriate degrees to conduct this type of therapy.
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder.
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL: Activities of Daily Living. These are things that people do on a daily basis. (i.e. brushing teeth, tying shoes, independently getting dressed).
AID: Auditory Integrated Training.
AT: Assistive Technology
AS: Asberger’s Syndrome (social/pragmatics disorder on the autism spectrum).
ASHA: American Speech and Hearing Association (The
ASL: American Sign Language
BD: Behavioral Disorder
BMP: Behavior Management Plan. Can also be called BMI (Behavior Management Intervention). Created when a child needs their behavior to be controlled by a team. These plans are included in a child’s IEP or 504 (see below).
CAPD: Central Auditory Processing Disorder.
CSE: Committee on Special Eduation.
CP: Cerebral Palsy (for additional information please see Diagnosis page).
CPS: Child protective services.
CPSE: Committee on Preschool Special Education. If your child has received Early Intervention services, but continues to exhibit delays, you can be referred to the CPSE to determine if your child is eligible for further services. The CPSE will provide you with a list of places where your child can be evaluated FREE of charge!
DCS: Department of Children’s Services
DD: Developmental Disorder/Delay.
DOE: Department of Education. Their mission is to “promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.” To find out more information please click here.
DSM-V: Diagnostic Statistical Manual.
DVD: Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia.
DX: Diagnosis.
EI: Early Intervention. Services that can be provided to a child with special needs from birth to age 3.
ESY: Extended school year (summer school).
FAPE: Free and Appropriate Education
FAS: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
FSP: Family Support Plan.
GFCF: Gluten Free/Casein Free (diet)
HFA: Higher Functioning Autism
HI: Hearing Impaired.
HIPPA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
I.E.P: IEP stands for “Individualized Education Program. IEP’s contain your child’s educational goals from their teacher and therapists. An IEP is regularly updated throughout the course of your child’s schooling (typically once per year).
IDEA: The IDEA stands for “The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.” This act was established by the government to ensure that children who have special needs, are having them met appropriately. IDEA requires schools to evaluate and diagnose children from ages 3-21. For children who are eligible, an IEP is required to help children reach their educational goals (see IEP above).
IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan
IQ: Intelligence Quotient
LD: Learning Disabled
LFA: Low Functioning Autism
LLD: Language-based Learning Disability
LI: Language Impaired
MDT: Multidisciplinary team (can also be referred to as PPT). A team that works together to help your child (i.e.: speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, pediatrician, school teacher).
MSDD: Multisensory Developement Delays.
NLD: Non-verbal learning disability.
NSSHLA: National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.
OHI: Other Health Impairment
On the Spectrum: Refers to a child who may have “autistic” tendencies that can fit under the broad spectrum of characteristics.
OT: Occupational Therapist.
PBIS: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
PD: Phonological Disorder
PDD: Pervasive Deficit Disorder (for additional information please see Diagnosis page)
PECS: Picture Exchange Communication System. Part of the augmentative communication system (AAC).
PLS: Pre-school language scale. A formal assessment (testing material).
PPS: Pupil Personnel and Special Education.
PPT: Planning and Placement Team. These teams are created to determine a child’s eligibility into special education or related services.
Pragmatics: Refers to the social “language rules” (i.e. appropriate turn-taking, eye contact, maintaining topic of conversation).
PT: Physical Therapist.
RSA: Related Service Authorization. If your child’s speech therapy mandate is not being met at school, an RSA can be obtained so they can receive additional services free to you.
RTI: Response To Intervention. Designed for children to receive services without the label of “special education.”
School Age: Children age 5 and older.
SEIT: Special Education Itinerant Teacher
SERT: Special Education Resource Teacher
SI: Sensory Integration
SID: Sensory Integrative Disorder
SLP: Speech-Language Pathologist.
SLT: Speech-Language Therapist.
SLI: Specific Language Impairment
SPED: Special Education Teacher.
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
TOHI: Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
VR: Vocational Rehabilitation.

We're there any I missed? Share them with me to help expand this growing list!