Common Acronyms Used in Autism
All contents of this resource were created for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, therapist, or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have.
A
AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis
ABC – Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence
ABLLS – Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills test
ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act
ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
AIT – Auditory Integration Therapy
APD – Auditory Processing Disorder
APE – Adaptive Physical Education
ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder
AT – Assistive Technology
ATEC – Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist
B
BBRS – Burks Behavior Rating Scales
BCBA – Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
BD – Behavioral Disorder
BED – Body Ecology Diet
BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan
BSC – Behavior Specialist Consultant
C
CAPD – Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CARD – Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
CARS – Childhood Autism Rating Scale
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
DH – Developmentally Handicapped
DHHS – Department of Health and Human Services
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 – Emotionally Disturbed
EFA – Essential Fatty Acids
EFD – Executive Functioning Disorder
EH – Emotionally Handicapped
EI – Early Intervention
EIBI – Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention
EMF – Electromagnetic Field
EMH – Educable Mentally Handicapped
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 Mucosal Transplant – also called MTT (Microbiota Transfer Therapy)
FSP – Family Support Plan
FSS – Family Support Services
FXS – Fragile X Syndrome
G
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
I
IACC – Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
ICF – Intermediate Care Facility (Medicaid benefit)
ID – Intellectual Disability
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE – Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP – Individualized Education Plan/Individualized Education Program
IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan
IHP – Individualized Habilitation Program
IQ – Intelligence Quotient
L
LD – Learning Disability, Learning Disabled
LEA – Local Education Agency
LOD – Low Oxalate Diet
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
M
M-CHAT – Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
MFE – Multi-Factored Evaluation
MNRI – Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MSDD – Multisystem Developmental Disorder
MTT – Microbiota Transfer Therapy – also called FMT (Fecal Mucosal Transplant)
NLD/NVLD – Nonverbal Learning Disability
N
NT – Neurotypical
O
OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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
PDD – Pervasive Developmental Disorder (with the release of the DSM-5, PDD is now considered an autism spectrum disorder)
PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System
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 in order to form words.
PRT – Pivotal Response Training
PT – Physical Therapy/Therapist
PWN – Prior Written Notice
Q
QEEG – Quantitative Electroencephalogram
R
RDI – Relationship Developmental Intervention
RPM – Rapid Prompting Method
RTI – Response to Intervention
S
S2C – Spelling to Communicate
SCD – Specific Carbohydrate Diet
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
VMI – Beery Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration
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)
