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
