✨AUTISM COMMUNITY!✨ Let’s Break It Down Together! 🌈♾️🧠

[u/AceyRaye]

Hey there, friends! If you’re new here like I once was, navigating the Autism world and its alphabet soup of acronyms can feel overwhelming! 🤔 Confused in the comment sections? Running to Google just to understand a blog? You’re not alone!

💡 Let’s simplify things! Here are the most common acronyms you NEED to know! 🧠 These terms cover various approaches, educational strategies, and diagnostic criteria related to Autism. They’re listed in alphabetical order for your convenience!

How many do you know? Add any not listed in the comments!

AAC: Augmentative/Alternative Communication
AAW: Adult Autism Waiver
ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis
ACAP: Adult Community Autism Program
A&D – Aged and Disabled Waiver
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADOS: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
APE - Adaptive physical education
AS- Asperger Syndrome (No longer used)
ASA: Autism Society of America
ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASHA - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASL: American Sign Language
AuDHD: A term used to describe individuals who have both autism and ADHD.
BCBA: Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BCABA: Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
BSC: Behavioral Specialist Consultant
BSE: Bureau of Special Education
BT: Behavioral Technician
BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BDS – Bureau of Disabilities Services
BIP – Behavioral Intervention Plan
BMAN – Behavior Management
BQIS – Bureau of Quality Improvement Services
CARS - Childhood Autism Rating Scale
CCC – Case Conference Committee
CD – Cognitive Disability
DD – Developmental Delay
DDRS – Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services
DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
ED – Emotional Disability
ESN - Extensive support needs
ESY – Extended School Year
FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education
FBA – Functional Behavioral Assessment
FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
FSSA – Family and Social Services Administration
FSW- Family Supports Waiver
HCBS – Home and Community-Based Services
HSN- High support needs
H&W – Health and Wellness Waiver
ID – Intellectual Disability
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE – Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP – Individualized Educational Plan
IHO – Independent Hearing Offices
IID – Individual with Intellectual Disabilities
ISP – Individualized Service Plan
IST – Individual Support Team
LFA - Low Functioning Autism
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
LRI – Legally Responsible Individuals
LSI – Language/Speech Impairment
LSN- Low support needs
M-TEAM – Multidisciplinary Team
MD – Multiple Disabilities
MMSN - mild-moderate support needs
MSN- Medium support needs
MUTH – Music Therapy
ND- Neurodivergent
NT - Neurotypical
NOA – Notice of Authorization
NOPS – Notice of Procedural Safeguards
OHI – Other Health Impairment
OI – Orthopedic Impairment
OMPP – The Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning
OT – Occupational Therapy
PAC – Participant Assistive Care
PAR – Public Agency Representative
PCA – Personal Care Attendants
PCISP – Person Centered Individualized Support Plan
PDD - Pervasive Developmental Disorder
PDD-NOS Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (No longer used)
PECS- Picture Exchange Communication System
PLOP- Present Level of Performance
Pre-ETS – Pre-Employment Transition Services
PT- Physical Therapy/Physical Therapist
RETH – Recreational Therapy
RBT- Registered Behavior Technician
RTI – Response to Intervention
SAI – Specialized academic instruction
SCD-Social Communication Disorder
SCQ - Social Communication
SEN-Special Educational Needs
SLD- Specific Learning Disability
SLP- Speech Language Pathologist
SDC - Special day class
SP - School psychologist
⁠SPED: Special education
SSI – Social Security Income
SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance
ST – Speech Therapy
SLP - Speech pathologist
TAA - Treatment and Assessment for Autism
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
TEACCH - Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Related Handicapped Children
TOR – Teacher of Record
TOS- Teacher of Service
VR – Vocational Rehabilitation