Special educators love to use acronyms. I don't really know why. Perhaps it's because we spend so much time doing paperwork that if we actually used words throughout the paperwork, it would take us twice as long.....just kidding! :-) But the fact remains: If you want to sit at the table and know what the rest of the people at the table are talking about, then you need to have an understanding of the acronyms that will be tossed around the table. Here are some of the most frequently used in my district in Florida:
If you are one of my SCF students, pay close attention to the acronyms that are bolded.
If you are one of my SCF students, pay close attention to the acronyms that are bolded.
Legal Acronyms:
FAPE = (pronounced with a long /a/) Free and Appropriate Public Education
PL-94-142 = (as in Public Law 94-142) the first law in the 1970's that guaranteed FAPE for students with disabilities
IDEA = (pronounced just like it looks "idea") Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; sometimes also referred to as the "reauthorization of IDEA" (because it has gone through and been approved by congress more than once)
IEP = Individual Education Plan (every child enrolled in special education services has an IEP)
LRE = Least Restrictive Environment
IEP = Individual Education Plan (every child enrolled in special education services has an IEP)
LRE = Least Restrictive Environment
Disability Acronyms:
LD = Learning Disability
SLD = Specific Learning Disability
ASD = Autism Spectrum Disorder
EBD = Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
EH = Emotionally Handicapped (older acronym for EBD, no longer used in my district)
InD = Intellectual Disability
DD = Developmental Delay
LI = Language Impairment
SI = Speech Impairment
S/LI = Speech/Language Impairment
S/LI = Speech/Language Impairment
OHI = Other Health Impaired
VI = Visually Impaired
PI = Physically Impaired
OT = Occupational Therapy
PT = Physical Therapy
VI = Visually Impaired
PI = Physically Impaired
OT = Occupational Therapy
PT = Physical Therapy
VE = Varying Exceptionalities (This is the exception! VE refers to a program that services students with many different types of disabilities. VE does not refer to the disability that a child has.)
2 comments:
Hello! You forgot:
NCLB = No Child Left Behind
AT = Assistive Technology
How could I forget No Child Left Behind? Especially in the middle of our testing window? Thanks for reminding me!
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