The Alphabet Soup of Acronyms
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get lost in all the letters. Everything has an acronym, and within the world of disabilities the acronyms seem endless! While I can appreciate the need for simplicity and shorthand, sometimes I feel like I need a cheat sheet just to understand what’s going on. If you’re feeling the same way, then you’re in luck! Listed below are some of the most used acronyms within the disability world, though the list is far from complete. Take a moment to look through the list. Maybe you’ll learn something new!
- 1:1– One-to-one Aide or Caregiver
- 2e– Twice-exceptional (Gifted and Disabled)
- 504– Section 504 Educational Plan (School support plan for students with disabilities)
- AAC– Alternative and Augmentative Communication (like an iPad Communication App)
- ABA– Applied Behavioral Analysis
- ADA– Americans with Disabilities Act (Know your rights!)
- ADD/ADHD– Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- ADOS– Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale
- AOS– Apraxia of Speech
- APD– Auditory Processing Disorder
- ARFID– Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
- ASC– Autism Spectrum Condition (Preferred by some instead of Disorder)
- ASD– Autism Spectrum Disorder
- AT– Assistive Technology (check out this link to learn about the AT Lending Library!)
- BCBA– Board Certified Behavior Analysis
- CAS– Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- DD– Developmental Delay
- DTC– Disability Tax Credit
- DSM– Diagnostic Statistical Manual (psychological diagnostic standards and definitions)
- Dx– Diagnosis or Diagnosed
- DYX– Dyslexia
- EI– Early Intervention
- ED– Executive Dysfunction
- EDS– Ehler’s-Danlos Syndrome
- GAD– Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- GLP– Gestalt Language Processing or Processor
- GT– Gifted and Talented
- HL/HxL– Hyperlexia or Hyperlexic Learner
- ID– Intellectual Disability
- IDD-Intellectual Developmental Disability
- IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- IEP- Individualized Education Plan or Program
- IFL- Identity First Language (e.g., autistic person vs. person with autism)
- IIP- Inclusion and Intervention Plan
- IQ- Intelligence Quotient
- LD- Learning Disability
- ND- Neurodivergent (or neurodiverse)
- NLD/NVLD- Nonverbal Learning Disability
- NT- Neurotypical
- OCD- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- ODD- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- OT- Occupational Therapy or Therapist
- PANDAS- Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep
- PDD-NOS- Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
- PECS- Picture Exchange Communication System
- PDA- Pathological Demand Avoidance (also referred to as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy)
- PFL- Person-First Language (e.g., person with autism)
- PT- Physical Therapy or Therapist
- SCD/DPCD- Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
- SI- Sensory Integration
- SLP- Speech and Language Pathologist
- SLT- Speech and Language Therapist
- SPD- Sensory Processing Disorder
- SPED- Special Education or Educator
- ST- Speech Therapy or Therapist
- WAIS- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
- WISC- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
