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AAC	Assistive Augmentative Communication
AANE	Asperger’s Association of New England
ABA	Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA	Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral therapy
ABC	Autism Behavior Checklist
ABI	Adaptive Behavior Inventory
ABLE	Adult Basic Literacy Education
ABLLS	Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills test
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
AD	Attachment Disorder
ADD	Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADOS	Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale
AIT	Advanced Individual Training
AIT	Auditory Integration Therapy
AMA	American Medical Association
APD	Auditory Processing Disorder
APE	Adaptive Physical Education
ARC	Association of Retarded Citizens
ARD	Admission, Review, Dismissal (used in Texas)
ARI	Autism Research Institute
ARRI	Autism Research Review International, Quarterly publication from the ARI
AS	Asperger’s Syndrome (DSM IV 299.80)
AS	Autistic Spectrum
ASA	Autism Society of America
ASD	Autistic Spectrum Disorder
ASHA	American Speech & Hearing Association
ASL	American Sign Language
ASPEN	Asperger Syndrome Parent Education Network
ASPEN of New Jersey	(not affiliatied with ASPEN of America)
ASPIE	A person with Asperger’s Syndrome (friendly)
AUTIE	A person with Autism (friendly)
BBB	Blood Brain Barrier
BBRS	Burks’ Behavior Rating Scale
BCBA	Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
BD	Behavioral Disorder
BD/ED	Behavior Disordered Emotionally Disturbed.
BED	Body Ecology Diet
BIC	Behavior Improvement Class.
BIP	Behavior Improvement Plan
BMP	Behavior Management Plan
BOCES	Board of Cooperative Educational Services
BP	Bi-Polar (formerly called “manic-depressive”)
BSC	Behavioral Specialist Consultant
BSU	Base Service Unit
BSU	Behavioral Services Unit
CADDRE	Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities Research & Epidemiology
CAO	County Assistance Office
CAP	Client Assistance Program administered by the Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services
CAPD	Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CARD	Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (used in Florida)
CARD	Center for Autism and Related Disorders (used in Maryland and many other states)
CARD	Committee for Admission, Review, Dismissal (used in Texas)
CARS	Childhood Autism Rating Scale (diagnostic and evaluation tool)
CASSP	Child and Adolescent Service System Program
CAT or CT Scan	Computer Axial Tomography - a scan using an xray machine linked to a computer that produces a scan in cross sections using iodine (BEWARE if you are allergic to shellfish)
CBH	Community Behavioral Health
CCBH	Community Care Behavioral Health
CD	Conduct Disorder
CDC	Center for Disease Control and Prevention
CF	Casein Free
CFIDS	Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
CFS	Chronic fatigue syndrome
CH.A.D.D.	Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
CHARGE	Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment
CHAT	Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
CHOP	Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
CI	Community Integration
CLA	Community Living Arrangement
CLO	Cod Liver Oil
CMMS	Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
CMS	Children’s Medical Services
CNS	Central Nervous System
COSAC	Center for Outreach and Services for the Autistic Community (New Jersey)
COTA	Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
CP	Cerebral Palsy
CPEA	Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism
CPS	Child Protective Services
CPT	Current Procedural Terminology (Procedure codes used for insurance billing)
CSE	Committee for Special Education (called “MDT” in some states)
CST	Child Study Team
CVPD	Central Vision Processing Disorder
CYA	California Youth Authority
DAN	Defeat Autism Now! (http://www.autism.com)
DAS	Developmental Apraxia of Speech
DAS	Differential Abilities Scales.
DCD	Development Coordination Disorder
DD	Department of Disabilities
DD	Developmentally Delayed
DD	Developmental Disabilities
DD	Developmental Disorder
DDD	Department of Developmental Disabilities
DH	Developmentally Handicapped
DHHS	Department of Health and Human Services
DMG	DiMethylGlycine-See also TMG
DOH	Department of Health
DPT	A triple inoculation given to kids: Diptheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus
DPW	Department of Public Welfare
DR	Disability Rights
DREDF	Disability Rights Education Defense Fund
DS	Developmental Services
DS	Down’s Syndrome
DSM	Diagnostic Statistical Manual
DSM-IV	Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition
DSMR	Diagnostic Statistical Manual (Revised) - preceded DSM-IV
DTT	Discrete Trial Training
DTVMI	Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration
DV	Domestic Violence
DX	Diagnosis, diagnosed
EASe	Electronic Auditory Stimulation effect
EBD	Emotional Behavioral Disorder
ECG	ElectroCardioGram
ECSE	Early Childhood Special Education
ECT	ElectroConvulsive Therapy (electroshock)
ED	Emotionally Disturbed
EEG	ElectroEncephaloGram
EFA	Essential Fatty Acids
EFD	Executive Functioning Disorder.
EH	Emotionally Handicapped
EI	Early Intervention
EIBI	Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention
EKG	ElectroCardioGram (basically, a graph of the heart’s electrical activity)
EMH	Educable Mentally Handicapped
EMS	Emergency Medical Services
EOH	A listserve on Yahoogroups.com named after the book, Evidence of Harm by David Kirby
EPD	Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization
EPSDT	Early & Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment Program
ERIC	Educational Resources Information Center, a computer database of educational information
ESD	Educational Service District
ESE	Exceptional Student Education
ESL	English as a Second Language
ESY	Extended School Year
FAPE	Free Appropriate Public Education
FAQ	Frequently Asked Questions (an info sheet in Q&A format)
FAS	Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FC	Facilitated Communication
FDA	Food and Drug Administration
FDSS	Family Driven Support Services
FERPA	Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act
FFP	Federal Financial Participation
fMRI	Functional MRI (brain scan test)
FNS	Fuzzy Neuron Syndrome (associated with FADD)
FOIA	Freedom Of Information Act
FRAX	Fragile X Syndrome
FSP	Family Support Plan
FSS	Family Support Services
GAF	Global Assessment of Functioning scale.
GARS	Gilliam Autism Rating Scale
GED	General Education Development (a test in place of High School Diploma)
GFCF	Gluten-free, casein-free diet
GFCFSF	Gluten-free, casein free, soy-free diet
GI	Gastrointestinal
HCBW	Home and Community Based Waiver
HELP	Hawaii Early Learning Profile Test
HFA	High Functioning Autism
HFS	Health Food Store
HH	Hard of Hearing
HH	Household
HI	Hearing Impaired
HMO	Health Medical Organization
HSLDA	Home School Legal Defense Organization
IACC	InterAgency Coordinating Committee
IBD	Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBS	Irritable Bowel Syndrome
ICD-9	International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (used for billing insurance) which classifies diseases by numbers.
ICF	Intermediate Care Facility
IDEA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP	Individualized Education Plan
IFSP	Individualized Family Service Plan
IgG	Immunoglobulin G
IHP	Individualized Habilitation Program
IME	Independent Medical Examination
InLv	Independent Living (support group)
IQ	Intelligence Quotient
IRB	Institutional Review Board
IRWE	Impairment-Related Work Expense
ITM	Interagency Team Meeting
JADD	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
LD	Learning Disability, Learning Disabled
LEA	Local Education Agency
LKS	Landau Kleffner Syndrome
LOD	Low Oxalate Diet
LRE	Least Restrictive Environment
M-D	Manic Depression (now called bipolar depression)
MDO	Major Depressive Disorder
MDT	Multi-Disciplinary Team (called “CSE” in some states)
MEG	Magnetoencephalogram, used in LKS
MFC	Marriage and Family Counselor
MFCC	Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor
MFE	Multi-Factored Evaluation
MH	Mental Health
MH	Mentally Handicapped; Mentally Retarded (IQ less than 70)
MMR	Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccination
MPD	Multiple Personality Disorder
MR	Mental Retardation, Mentally Retarded (IQ less than 70)
MRI	Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MSDD	Multi-system developmental disorder
MT	Mobile Therapist
NACD	National Academy of Child Development
NBAC	National Bioethics Advisory Commission
NBD	Neurobiological Disorder
NDA	Not Diagnosed with Anything
NICHCY	National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
NIDS	NeuroImmune Deficiency Syndrome
NIEHS	National Institute of Environmental Health Services
NIH	National Institute of Health
NIMH	National Institute of Mental Health
NINDS	National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
NJCOSAC	New Jersey Center for Outreach & Services for the Autism Community
NOD	Not Otherwise Defined, Often appears alot with DX by psychologists
NOD	Not Otherwise Diagnosed
NORD	National Organization for Rare Disorders
NOREP	Notice of Recommended Educational Placement
NOS	Not of Specific Origin
NOS	Not Otherwise Specified, usually seen as PDD-NOS
NPD	Normal Person Disorder (used jokingly)
NPND	National Parent Network on Disabilities
NT	Neurologically Typical
NT	Neurotypical
NVLD	Non-Verbal Learning Disability
NYD	Not Yet Diagnosed (informal usage)
OAAC	Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children.
OASIS	On-line Asperger’s Syndrome Information and Support (organizational site at http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger)
OB	Specific to
OBRA	Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
OCB	Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior
OCD	Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD	Office of Child Development
OCD	Oppositional Conduct Disorder
OCR	Office of Civil Rights
OCYF	Office of Children, Youth and Families
ODD	Oppositional Defiant Disorder
OHI	Other Health Impaired.
OIM	Office of Income Maintenance
OMHSAS	Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
OMR	Office of Mental Retardation
ORS	Office of Rehabilitation Services
OSEP	Office of Special Education Programs
OSERS	Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
OSP	Office of Social Programs
OT	Occupational Therapist or therapy
OVR	Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
P&A	Protection & Advocacy
PA	Parents’ Auxiliary
PANDAS	Pediatric Autoimmune Neurological Disorder Associated with Strep.
Part B	References parts of IDEA which covers education of ages 3-22, ie. school system
Part C	References parts of IDEA which covers birth to 3; Early intervention
PCA	Personal Care Assistant
PDD	Pervasive Developmental Disorder
PDDNOS	Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified
PDR	Physician’s Desk Reference
PECS	Picture Exchange Communication System
PEN	Parent Education Network
PERS	Personal Emergency Response Systems
PET	Positron Emission Tomography Scan
Pica	(not an abbreviation) means the eating of non-food stuff
PKU	Phenylketonuria
PL94-142	Public Law 94-142. Education for Handicapped Children Act, Revised in 1990 to become IDEA.
POA	Power of Attorney
POHI	Physically or Otherwise Health Impaired
PPO	Preferred Physician Organization
PPO	Preferred Provider Option
PPS	Pupil Personnel Services
PQ	Performance IQ
PRT	Pivotal Response Training
PT	Physical Therapist or Therapy
PTIC	Parent Training and Information Center
PTSD	Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PUNS	Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services
PwD	People with Disabilities
Q&A	Question-and-Answer, generally referring to a document format.
QEEG	Quantitative ElectroEncephaloGram
RA	Rheumatoid Arthritis
RDI	Relationship Developmental Intervention
SAD	Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka “Wintertime Depression”)
SBH	Severe Behavior Handicap
SCD	Specific Carbohydrate Diet
SD	School District
SED	Severely Emotionally Disturbed
SELPA	Special Education Local Plan Area (used in CA)
SERRC	Special Educational Regional Recourse Center
SI	Sensory Integration.
SID	Sensory Integration Dysfunction
SIB	Self-injurious behavior
SIPT	Sensory Integration and Praxis Text
SLP	Speech and Language Pathologist
SM	Selective Mutism.
SNT	Special Needs Trust
SNT	SuperNu Thera - by Kirkman Labs
Sped	special education
SSA	Social Security Administration
SSD	Social Security Disability
SSDI	Social Security Disability Income
SSI	Supplemental Security Income
SSRI	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (class of meds, incl: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox.)
SST	Student Study Team (used in CA)
STAART	Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment
STRANS	Survey of Teenage Readiness And Neurodevelopmental Status
TACA	Talk About Curing Autism
TBI	Traumatic Brain Injury
TEACCH	Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Disorders
TEC	Transitional Employment Consultant
TMG	TriMethylGlycine (see also DMG)
TMH	Trainable Mentally Handicapped
TOPL	Test of Pragmatic Language
TS	Tourette’s Syndrome
TS	Tuberous Sclerosis
TSS	Therapeutic Support Staff
VAERs	Vaccine Adverse Experience Reports (published by FDA)
VB	Verbal Behavior
VE	Varying Exceptionalities
Voc-Ed	Vocational Education
VQ	Verbal IQ
VR	Vocational Rehabilitation
WAIS	Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (an IQ test)
WIIA	Work Incentives Initiative Act
WISC	Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (an IQ test)
WPPSI	Weschler Preschool Primary - testing for under age 6
YO	Year Old

 

Definitions

Absence Seizure: Also know as Petit Mal Seizure. In absence seizures, the person may appear to be staring into space with or without jerking or twitching movements of the eye muscles. These periods last for seconds, or even tens of seconds. Those experiencing absence seizures sometimes move from one location to another without any purpose.

Aphasia: the complete or partial loss of ability to use or understand words.

Apraxia: a disorder of voluntary movement, consisting in partial or complete incapacity to carry out deliberate movements, without impairment of muscular power, ability to feel, or coordination. May be specific to speech.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): a style of teaching that uses a series of trials to shape a desired Behavior or response. Skills are broken down into their simplest components and then taught to the child using a system of reinforcement.

Asperger's Syndrome (AS): a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum defined by impairments in communication and social development, and by narrow interests and repetitive Behaviors. Unlike typical autism, individuals with Asperger's Syndrome have no significant delay in language or cognitive development.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a condition with specific core symptoms including developmentally inappropriate degrees of attention, disorganization of thinking, distractibility, problems with concentration, lack of impulse control, and hyperactivity, all of which vary in different situations and at different times. Common secondary symptoms include perceptual and emotional immaturity, poor social skills, disruptive Behaviors and academic problems.

Atypical autism: a general term for conditions that are close to but don't quite fit the set of conditions for autism or other specific conditions.

Auditory Integration Training (AIT): auditory integration training is a therapy based on a theory that the small internal organs of the ear can be exercised and that this can lead to modification of sound perception and Behavior. Musical sounds are washed through a filtering apparatus that alters them, emphasizing some tones and reducing the intensity of others. The treatment is modified to suit individual needs as determined by special auditory testing.

Augmentative communication: the use of aids to help the child with autism to communicate his/her wants and needs. For example, photographs, picture exchange communication.

Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC): A checklist containing a list of Behaviors and scores, which appear to be capable of measuring the level of autistic Behaviors in individuals.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS): a standardized play session that allows the examiner to observe communication and social Behaviors that are associated with autism. It requires 20 to 30 minutes to administer.

Autistic savant: an autistic individual who displays incredible aptitude for one or two skills (e.g., amazing musical or art ability). Only 2 percent of ASD people have a savant skill.

Autistic spectrum disorders: term that encompasses autism and similar disorders. More specifically, the following five disorders listed in the DSM-IV: Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder - not otherwise specified, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Retts Disorder.

Aversives: Behavioral methods employing punishment rather than positive reinforcement. Often use physical pain. Controversial technique. Sometimes used with DTT.

Bayley: a developmental assessment used for children age one month to 3-years old. It is composed of mental, motor, and Behavior scales.

Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS): A short rating scale that helps measure and distinguish mild and moderate autism from severe autism in children

Celiac (or coeliac) Disease: a disease in which the intestinal lining becomes inflamed after ingestion of foods containing gluten (a protein found in oats, wheat, rye, barley and triticale). The symptoms in infants in children include diarrhea, slow growth, bloody stools, weight loss, and vomiting.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: a condition occurring in 3- and 4-year-olds characterized by a deterioration of intellectual, social, and language functioning from previously normal functioning. Children with this condition, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as autism, develop normally for a prolonged period of time, but then experience loss of social skills, bowel and bladder control, play Behaviors, receptive and expressive language, motor skills, and nonverbal communication skills.

Communications notebook (Also known as Comm Log) a notebook sent with a student (typically a special education student or young student) to and from school by which parents and teachers maintain (possibly) daily communication.

Continuum: Used to describe a full range

Co-treatment: When more than one type of therapist works with a child at the same time

Cranial Sacral therapy: CST is a hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

CUM file (Also known as cumulative file): Your child's permanent school record

Discrete Trial Training (DTT): refers to a behavioral training technique in which behavior is modeled, the child is prompted to perform it, and a reward given if the student's behavior is what is desired. If the response is not correct, the sequence is repeated until the desired behavior is shown.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III, DSM-III-R, DSM-IV): the official system for classification of psychological and psychiatric disorders prepared by and published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Dysgraphia: Writing or fine motor skills deficit

Dyspraxia: impaired or painful functioning in any organ.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI): a generic term for a program that systematically teaches skills that have been broken down into small steps. Each component of the desired behavior is repeated until the child masters it. Learning is rewarded with an object or activity that the child likes.

Echolalia: repeating words or phrases heard previously. The echoing may occur immediately after hearing the word or phrase, or much later. Delayed echolalia can occur days or weeks after hearing the word or phrase.

Expressive language: the ability to express one's needs through speech, communication devices, sign language or others

Extinction: a term used to say a particular behavior is on a program to get rid of it

Facilitated communication: the use of a keyboard by a person with autism. The training begins with simple questions that have predictable answers, and becomes increasingly complex with less physical support from the facilitator. Proponents of this method argued that some people with autism eventually learn to communicate complicated thoughts. It has now been discredited through stringent research.

Fine motor skills: such as threading beads, writing or other skills with hands or feet

Fragile X Syndrome: a genetic disorder that shares many of the characteristics of autism. Individuals can be tested for "Fragile X" by having a karyotype (see below).

Functional Behavioral Analysis: a process of carefully observing Behavior to determine what sets off the chain of events that leads to tantrums or aggression. The goal is to eliminate the trigger so that the problem Behavior is stopped completely, not just reduced in severity.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): an imaging technique that can show which parts of the brain are active during specific tasks such as reading or doing a math problem.

Gaze pattern: in the study of communication between individuals, the patterns of looking at the other person that has communicative value.

Generalized (or global) anxiety disorder: this disorder is characterized by excessive, prolonged worry and tension about everyday things like work, one1s health, or family and friends.

Gluten-free/casein-free diet: Eliminates gluten (a protein found in wheat and other grains) and casein (a protein found in milk) from the diet.

Grand Mal Seizure: AKA Tonic-clonic seizures are a type of generalised seizure affecting the whole brain. Tonic-clonic seizures are the seizure type most commonly associated with epilepsy and seizures in general.

Gross motor: large muscle groups dealing with skills such as walking

Habilitation: the development of a socially productive, conventional lifestyle or skill for the first time. Also see Rehabilitation.

High Functioning Autism (HFA): individuals with autism who are not cognitively impaired are called 'high functioning'.

Hyper: Having too much of something such as hyperactivity which refers to extremely energetic activity

Hyperlexia: the ability to read at an early age. To be hyperlexic, a child does not need to understand what he or she is reading.

Hypo: Having too little of something such as hyperactivity which refers to not being very active

Hypotonia: low muscle tone.

Inborn error of metabolism: the cause in multiple diseases and due to the lack of, or poor functioning, of an enzyme.

ICD-9: International Classification of Diseases is a list of codes used for insurance billing. ICD-10 is used outside the US

Inclusion: placement of a child with a disability with his non-disabled peers; mainstreaming

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP): a plan that identifies the student's specific learning expectations and outlines how the school will address these expectations through appropriate special education programs and services. It also identifies the methods by which the student's progress will be reviewed. For students 14 years or older, it must also contain a plan for the transition to postsecondary education, or the workplace, or to help the student live as independently as possible in the community.

Joint attention: the ability to follow another's gaze and share the experience of looking at an object or activity.

Ketogenic diet: a restricted diet thought to help control epileptic seizures. Should be used only under a specialist doctor's supervision.

Leiter International Performance Scale: a nonverbal assessment of intelligence, used primarily with children with communication difficulties. It gives both an IQ score, and an age equivalent for the child's level of functioning.

Macrocephaly: the term used to describe the condition of having a head circumference two standard deviations above average, which translates to a clinical definition of greater than the 97th percentile.

Mainstreaming: placement of a disabled child with non-disabled peers in a regular classroom.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): a diagnostic technique that uses the magnetic qualities of body chemicals to produce an image of the brain.

Medicaid Waiver (Medwaiver): A state-specific program to give Medicaid and other autism-specific services to children with ASD.

Microcephaly : Microcephaly is a neurological disorder in which the circumference of the head is significantly smaller than average for the person's age and sex. Microcephaly may be congenital or it may develop in the first few years of life.

Mullen Scales of Early Learning: a comprehensive test of children's motor, perceptual, and language abilities. It helps assess learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses.

Neurologist: a doctor specializing in medical problems associated with the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.

Neurotransmitter: a chemical messenger that permits communication between brain or nerve cells.

Neurotypical: a term used for persons with typical neurological development and function.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): having a tendency to perform certain repetitive acts or ritualistic Behavior to relieve anxiety.

Occupational therapist (OT): individuals who specialize in the analysis of activity and tasks to minimize the impact of disability on activities of daily living. The therapist then helps the family to better cope with the disorder, by adapting the environment and teaching.

Oppositional disorder: according to the DSM-IV, the Behaviors seen in oppositional disorder are:

• violations of minor rules
• temper tantrums
• argumentativeness
• provocative behavior
• stubbornness

Picture Exchange Communication System ( PECS ): allows children and adults with autism and other communication deficits to initiate communication through the use of a system of picture symbols.

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT): a test of receptive vocabulary; that is, it tests whether or not young children recognize words and their meaning without them having to say the words.

Perseveration: repetitive movement or speech, or sticking to one idea or task that has a compulsive quality to it.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD): a group of developmental disabilities which are neurological disorders of unknown cause. The symptoms include diminished ability to understand language and to communicate with and to interact with others. Children with a PDD usually have limited interests and engage in repetitive activities. There may be sensory problems related to perception of sound (hypersensitivity or lowered response)

Phenylketonuria (PKU): an inability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, which is present in many common foods. Usually associated with a gradual development of mental retardation if a diet eliminating or severely restricting the intake of phenylalanine.

Placebo: an inactive substance that looks the same as, and is administered in the same way as, a drug in a clinical trial, usually in a double-blinded study. Its purpose is to test whether or not effects seen in participants are actually due to the active medication.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan: a scanning device that uses low-dose radioactive sugar to measure brain activity.

Prevalence: the proportion of people with a particular condition or disease within a given population at a given time.

Prognosis: the possible outcomes of a condition or a disease and the likelihood that each one will occur.

Proprioceptive: capable of receiving stimuli originating in muscles, tendons, and other internal tissues.

Receptive language: What language you can understand being said to you

Regressive Autism: a form of autism in which infants, after apparently normal development, start to lose language and other skills. This condition is fairly rare and has not been well described, nor does it have scientifically established standards for diagnosis.

Rehabilitation: the return to a lifestyle or skill previously lived and known. Some insurers only want to pay for rehabilitative but many lawsuits have been won setting precedence over ASD children in particular. Also see Habilitation.

Residential Habilitation (ResHab): Residential Habilitation services are community-based or at-home services designed to help the consumer and his/her family to develop or improve on existing skills. Residential Habilitation staff works one on one to teach independent living skills at home and to encourage participation in social recreation activities within the community.

Respite: Trained health care workers care for your special needs children so you can get a break

Secretin: a polypeptide neurotransmitter (chemical messenger), one of the hormones that controls digestion, increasing the volume and bicarbonate content of secreted pancreatic juices.

Self-help skills: Skills such as getting dressed and feeding oneself.

Sensorimotor: Pertaining to brain activity other than automatic functions (respiration, circulation, sleep) or cognition. Sensorimotor activity includes voluntary movement and senses like sight touch and hearing.

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID): Sensory Integration Dysfunction is the inability of the brain to correctly process information brought in by the senses.

Serotonin: a neurotransmitter implicated in the behavioral-physiological processes of sleep, pain and sensory perception, motor function, appetite, learning and memory.

Speech-language pathologist: individuals who specialize in the area of human communication. The focus in on communication, not speech, to increase the child's ability to impact and to understand their environment.

Stanford-Binet Intelligence test: a test that assesses intelligence and cognitive abilities in children and adults aged two to 23. It is used in determining the presence of a learning disability or a developmental delay.

Stim: short for 'self-stimulation', a term for Behaviors whose sole purpose appears to be to stimulate ones senses. Many people with autism report that some 'self-stims' may serve a regulatory function for them (i.e., calming, increasing concentration, or shutting out an overwhelming sound).

Superbill: the form the doctor fills out with CPT and ICD9 codes to bill your insurance. If your doctor doesn't take insurance, you will need to learn how to use the superbill.

Titers/Titres: A blood test to measure immunity to any particular disease. Two types of tests include postive/negative or quantitative.

Tuberous sclerosis: a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by mental retardation, seizures, skin lesions, and intracranial lesions. It is caused by a dominant gene and occurs in 1 in 7000 births.

Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scales (VABS): a scale that assesses personal and social abilities of individuals from birth to adulthood. These scales are applicable to handicapped and nonhandicapped individuals.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III): an individually administered clinical instrument for assessing the intellectual functioning of children.

Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised (WPPSI-R): a clinical instrument similar to the WISC-III and the WAIS-R, except for children ages 3-0 to 7-0.

 

Internet Slang and Icons

:'-( crying
:-( sad
:-) happy
:-* kiss
:-< terribly sad
:-> very happy
:-0 laughing
:-O yawning
:-P sticking tongue out
:-x say nothing
;-) wink
?:-o surprise
{} hugs
$-) greedy
B-) I wear glasses

AFAIK	As Far As I Know
BIL	Brother in Law
BTW	By The Way
DD	Dear (darling) Daughter
DH	Dear (darling) Husband
DS	Dear (darling) Son
F2F	Face to Face
FIL	Father-in-law
FWIW	For What It’s Worth
GSOH	Good Sense Of Humour
GT	Get Together
HTH	Hope That Helps
IFLACA	I Feel Like A Complete Ass
IIRC	If I Recall Correctly
IMHO	In My Humble Opinion
IMMV	Individual Mileage May Vary
IMNSHO	In My Not So Humble Opinion
IMO	In My Opinion
IMVHO	In My Very Humble Opinion
IOW	In Other Words
LMK	Let Me Know
LOL	Laugh Out Loud -- Laughing Out Loud
LOL	Lots Of Love
LOLROFL	Laughing Out Loud, Roll On Floor
MIL	Mother-In-Law
NP	No Problem
OIC	Oh, I See
OPM	Other People’s Money
OPM	Over-Protective Mom
OSOSBSU	Oops, straying off subject, better shut up
OT	Off Topic
OTOH	On The Other Hand
PITA	Pain In The Ass
POV	Point Of View
PPS	Poor Parenting Syndrome
RL	Real Life
ROFL	Rolling On Floor Laughing
ROFLMAO	ROFL My Arse Off
ROFLSHCT	Rolling On the Floor Laughing So Hard Can’t Type
RPITB	Royal Pain In The Butt
SAHM	Stay-At-Home Mom
SIL	Sister In Law
SLK	Severely Labeled Kid
TIA	Thanks In Advance
TIC	Tongue In Cheek
TTFN	Ta-Ta For Now!
TTYL	Talk To You Later
TTYS	Talk To You Soon
VP	Virtual Party
WNA	Word Nitpickers Anonymous
WTG	Way To Go!
YMMV	Your Mileage May Vary

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