Knowing Your ABC’s When You Have a Child with Special Needs

By Sheryl R. Frishman, Esq., Littman Krooks, LLP

There are so many acronyms that parents come across when trying to navigate the complicated Special Education system.  Hopefully this list, while not entirely comprehensive, will enable you to become familiar with some of the common acronyms you may come across or hear when advocating for your special needs child.

ABA

Applied Behavioral Analysis

ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act

AE

Age Equivalent

ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder

AT

Assistive Technology

BIP

Behavioral Intervention Plan

CPSE

The Committee on Preschool Special Education

CSE

Committee on Special Education

EI

Early Intervention

DDSO

Developmental Disability Service Office

FAPE

Free and Appropriate Public Education

FBA

Functional Behavioral Assessment

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

GE

Grade Equivalent

ID

Classification of Intellectual Disability

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IEE

Independent Educational Evaluations

IEP

Individualized Education Program

IFSP

Individualized Family Service Plan

IQ

Intelligence Quotient

ISE

Individualized Service Plan

LD

Classification of Learning Disability

LRE

Least Restrictive Environment

NCLB

No Child Left Behind

NYSDOE

New York State Department of Education

OCR

Office of Civil Rights

OHI

Classification of Other Health Impaired

OT

Occupational Therapy

OPWDD

Office of People with Developmental Disabilities

OSE

Office of Special Education

PLOP

Present Levels of Performance

PR

Percentile Rank

PT

Physical Therapy

RTI

Response to Intervention

SCIS

Special Class Integrated Setting

SD

Standard Deviation OR School District

SEIT

Special Education Intinerant Teacher

SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

SS

Standard Score

SSA

The Social Security Administration

SSDI

Social Security Disability

SNT

Supplemental Needs Trust

SSI

Supplemental Security Income

This Handout may not be reproduced without the express prior permission of Sheryl R. Frishman, Esq. or Littman Krooks, LLP Nothing in this handout should be construed as legal advice. Please consult with your own attorney before relying on the information contained herein.

2011 Sheryl R. Frishman, Esq.

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