Resource Article

Navigating autism can be filled with unknown acronyms. The following is a collection of some common acronyms and abbreviations used in educational and medical settings for autism.

1:1– One-to-one aide or caregiver

2e– Twice Exceptional

504– Section 504 Plan

A

AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication

ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis

ABLLS – Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills test

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADL– Activity of Daily Living

ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

APD – Auditory Processing Disorder

APE – Adaptive Physical Education

ARFID – Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

AS – Asperger’s Syndrome (with the release of DSM-5, AS is no longer a diagnosis)

ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder

AT – Assistive Technology

ATEC – Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist

AuDHD– Autism and ADHD dual diagnosis

AYP– Adequate Yearly Progress

B

BCBA – Board Certified Behavioral Analyst

BD – Behavioral Disorder

BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan

BOE– Board of Education

C

CAPD – Central Auditory Processing Disorder

CARD – Center for Autism and Related Disabilities

CARS – Childhood Autism Rating Scale

CBA– Curriculum Based Assessment

CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CD – Conduct Disorder

CF – Casein Free

CFD – Cerebral Folate Deficiency

CI – Community Integration

CLA – Community Living Arrangement

CMMS – Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

CPT – Current Procedural Terminology (procedure codes used for insurance billing)

CVPD – Central Vision Processing Disorder

D

DAS – Developmental Apraxia of Speech

DAS – Differential Abilities Scales

DCD – Development Coordination Disorder

DD – Department of Disabilities/Developmentally Delayed/Developmental Disorder

DDD – Department of Developmental Disabilities

DHHS – Department of Health and Human Services

DID– Department of Intellectual Disability

DIR – Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based Model

DREDF – Disability Rights Education Defense Fund

DS – Developmental Services

DSM – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (by the American Psychiatric Association)

DTT – Discrete Trial Training

Dx – Diagnosis, diagnosed

E

EBD – Emotional Behavioral Disorder

ECI – Early Childhood Intervention

ECSE – Early Childhood Special Education

ED – Emotional Disturbance

ED – Executive Dysfunction

EDS – Ehler’s- Danlos Syndrome

EFA – Essential Fatty Acids

EFD – Executive Functioning Disorder

EI – Early Intervention

EIBI – Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention

EMF – Electromagnetic Field

EPSDT – Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (Medicaid Program)

ESY – Extended School Year

F

FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education

FBA – Functional Behavioral Assessment

FC – Facilitated Communication

FCT – Functional Communication Training

FDSS – Family Driven Support Services

FERPA – Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act

fMRI – Functional MRI (examines the brain’s functional anatomy)

FMT – Fecal Microbiota Transplant – also called MTT (Microbiota Transfer Therapy)

FSP – Family Support Plan

FSS – Family Support Services

FXS – Fragile X Syndrome

G

GAD – Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAF – Global Assessment of Functioning Scale

GARS – Gilliam Autism Rating Scale

GF – Gluten Free

GFCF – Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet

GFCFSF – Gluten-free, Casein-Free, Soy-Free Diet

GI – Gastrointestinal

H

HCBW – Home and Community Based Waiver

HFA* – High Functioning Autism

HHS– Health and Human Services

HL/HxL – Hyperlexia

I

IACC – Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome

ICF – Intermediate Care Facility (Medicaid benefit)

ID – Intellectual Disability

I/DD – Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IEE – Independent Educational Evaluation

IEP – Individualized Education Plan/Individualized Education Program

IFL – Identify First Language (e.g. autistic)

IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan

IHP – Individualized Habilitation Program

IQ – Intelligence Quotient

L

LD – Learning Disability, Learning Disabled

LEA – Local Education Agency

LFA* – Low Functioning Autism

LRE – Least Restrictive Environment

M

M-CHAT – Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers

MNRI – Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration

MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MSDD – Multisystem Developmental Disorder

MTT – Microbiota Transfer Therapy – also called FMT (Fecal Mucosal Transplant)

N

ND– Neurodiverse/Neurodivergent

NIH– National Institutes of Health

NLD/NVLD – Nonverbal Learning Disability

NT – Neurotypical

O

OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCR– Office for Civil Rights

ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder

OHI – Other Health Impairment

ORS – Office of Rehabilitation Services

OSEP – Office of Special Education Programs

OSERS – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

OSP – Office of Social Programs

OT – Occupational Therapy/Therapist

OVR – Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

P

PALS – Peer-Assisted Learning System

PANDAS – Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep

PANS – Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome

PBS – Positive Behavioral Supports

PDA – Pathological Demand Avoidance

PDD/ PDD-NOS – Pervasive Developmental Disorder/ Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (with the release of the DSM-5, PDD is no longer a diagnosis.)

PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System

PFL – People First Language (e.g. person with autism)

PLAAFP – Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance

PLOP/PLP – Present Levels of Performance

POA – Power of Attorney

PROMPT – Speech therapy technique used to teach individuals how to correctly move their jaw, lips, and tongue to form words.

PRT – Pivotal Response Training

PT – Physical Therapy/Therapist

PWN – Prior Written Notice

Q

QEEG – Quantitative Electroencephalogram

R

RBT – Registered Behavior Technician

RDI – Relationship Developmental Intervention

RPM – Rapid Prompting Method

RTI – Response to Intervention

Rx – Prescription

S

S2C – Spelling to Communicate

SCD – Specific Carbohydrate Diet

SCD/SPCD – Social Communication Disorder/ Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder

SDM – Supported Decision Making

SIB – Self-injurious behavior

SLP – Speech and Language Pathologist

SM – Selective Mutism

SPD – Sensory Processing Disorder

SPED – Special Education

SPM – Sensory Processing Measure

SSD – Social Security Disability

SSDI – Social Security Disability Income

SSI – Supplemental Security Income

T

TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury

TOPL – Test of Pragmatic Language

V

VB – Verbal Behavior

Voc-Ed – Vocational Education

VQ – Verbal IQ

VR – Vocational Rehabilitation

W

WAIS – Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

WIOA – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

WISC – Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children

WPPSI – Weschler Preschool Primary (evaluation for children less than six years old)

*Functioning labels are considered offensive. Please learn more by reading TACA’s article on Presuming Competence in Autism