Glossary of Terms

Accomodation- a change that helps a student overcome or work around a disability. Typically these changes are physical or environmental changes. 

ADHD- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 

ADW- Archdiocese of Washington

ASP- Autism Spectrum Disorder

CAP- Catholic Accomodation Plan- this documents the accommodations to be provided in the student’s classes. Plans are evaluated on a semesterly basis and include feedback from the classroom teachers and academic specials teachers.

CBT- cognitive behavioral therapy or therapist

CCSE- Catholic Coalition of Special Education

"The County"- refers to PGCPS and the special education services one can apply for and potentially receive

Ds- Down syndrome

FAPE- Free appropriate public education, from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

ICEP- Individualized Catholic Education Plan -  includes accommodations, modifications, intervention services, annual goals and short-term measurable objectives. Plans are evaluated on a semesterly basis and include feedback from the classroom teachers and academic specials teachers.

I/DD- Intellectual/Developmental Disability

IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

IEP- Individualized Educational Plan

HSC- The Hospital for Sick Children, now a part of Children's National Medical Center

Kennedy Kreiger- Kennedy Kreiger Institute

LEA- Local Education Agency. Here, PGCPS is the LEA

Modifications- these change "what" is learned and, therefore, change the content of the grade-specific curriculum  

Nueropsychological evaluation- this term can be used interchangeably with Psychological evaluation in most practices/hospitals, but in terms of insurance, a nueropsychological evaluation is medical and looks at traumatic brain injury, seizures and other medical conditions that would affect functioning. 

When used interchangeably, Nueropsychological and Psychological evaluations are typically comprehensive and look at the whole picture as a diagnostic snapshot.  These evaluations include assessing cognition (IQ), language (receptive and expressive), motor coordination, executive functioning, phonological processing, attention/focus, academics (reading, math and writing) and an emotional screening.

PGCPS- Prince George's County Public Schools

Psycho-educational testing- sometimes done by schools or as part of an abbreviated battery to get an understanding of a child’s cognitive and academic abilities.  This can inform where the child’s strengths and weaknesses are and are often used to look at learning disabilities or for school admissions.

Psychological evaluation- this term can be used interchangeably with a Nueropsychological evaluation in most practices/hospital settings, but in terms of insurance, a Psychological evaluation looks at behavioral, emotional, and learning disabilities

PT- physical therapy or therapist

OSSE- Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, D.C.

OT- occupational therapy or therapist

Resource Program- the special education team and its resources 

RTI- Response to Intervention

Social Cognition evaluation- this looks at autism and can be included in a Neuropsychological evaluation or can be done as part of an abbreviated battery on it’s own. 

SJA- St. Jerome Academy

SLP- speech and language pathologist

SMC- St. Margaret of Castello parent group 

SPD- Sensory Processing Disorder 

USCCB- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops