Acronyms

Educational terms, specifically those related to special education can sometimes be overwhelming to parents and to professionals. Below is a listing of frequently used acronyms associated with special education. Parents are encouraged to ask questions during meetings if they are unsure about the meaning of an acronym.

• (ABA) Applied Behavioral Analysis

• (ADA) Americans with Disabilities Act

• (ADD) Attention Deficit Disorder

• (ADHD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder

• (ASL) American Sign Language

• (AYP) Adequate Yearly Progress

• (BEC) Basic Education Circular

• (BIP) Behavior Intervention Plan

• (BSE) Bureau of Special Education

• (CBA) Curriculum-Based Assessment

• (DIBELS) Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills

• (ED) Emotional Disturbance

• (EI) Early Intervention

• (ELL) English Language Learners

• (ER) Evaluation Report

• (ESL) English as a Second Language

• (ESOL) English for Speakers for Other Languages

• (ESY) Extended School Year

• (FAPE) Free Appropriate Public Education

• (FBA) Functional Behavioral Assessment

• (FERPA) Family Educational Rights Privacy Act

• (IDEA) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

• (IEE) Independent Educational Evaluation

• (IEP) Individualized Education Program

• (LEA) Local Educational Agency

• (LEP) Limited English Proficiency

• (LRE) Least Restrictive Environment

• (MA) Medical Assistance

• (MD) Multiple Disabilities

• (MDT) Multidisciplinary Team

• (NCLB) No Child Left Behind

• (NOREP) Notice of Recommended Educational Placement

• (O & M) Orientation and Mobility

• (OCD) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• (ODD) Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• (OSEP) Office of Special Education Programs

• (OT) Occupational Therapy

• (OVR) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

• (PASA) Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment

• (PaTTAN) Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

• (PDD) Pervasive Developmental Disorder

• (PDD-NOS) Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified

• (PDE) Pennsylvania Department of Education

• (PSSA) Pennsylvania State System of Assessment

• (PT) Physical Therapy

• (RTI) Response to Intervention

• (SDI) Specially Designed Instruction

• (SEA) State Educational Agency

• (SLD) Specific Learning Disability

• (SWPBIS) Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support

• (TBI) Traumatic Brain Injury

• (TDD) Telecommunication Device for the Deaf

• (TSS) Therapeutic Staff Support

• (VI) Visual Impairment