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Commonly Used Special Education Acronyms

Commonly Used Special Education Acronyms

  1.  ABA–Applied Behavior Analysis, type of behavior modification, common misconception is that it is only for kids with autism–not true! Works well with many different populations.
  2. APS–Approved Private School, usually a more restrictive environment and/or an all special needs school, a placement option
  3. AT/AAC-Assistive Technology or Augmentative Alternative Communication, what is used for a child to better communicate-above and beyond just talking
  4. BCBA-Board Certified Behavior Analyst
  5. BIP/PBSP/BSP– several different terms or acronyms are used to describe behavior plans, including Behavior Improvement Plan, Positive Behavior Support Plan, Behavior Support Plan, Behavior Plan
  6. DIBELS-Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills, an early reading assessment
  7. ER–Evaluation Report, your child only ever receives one ER report…everything after the first one is an RR.
  8. ESY–Extended School Year, anything beyond the standard 6 hours a day, 180 days per year
  9. FAPE-Free and Appropriate Education, one of the main principles of special ed
  10. FBA–Functional Behavior Analysis or Assessment, a type of evaluation for children to develop the BIP/PBSP
  11. IEE–Independent Education Evaluation, aka independent eval; a common myth is that the district HAS TO provide you one, they don’t–you have to demonstrate need
  12. LEA-Local Education Agency, at IEP meetings you should have one person designated to be the LEA and that make sure you request that the LEA has the ability to make placement and financial decisions
  13. LRE–Least Restrictive Environment, another one of the 6 principles of special education
  14. NOREP–Notice of Recommended Educational Placement, a VERY IMPORTANT document, as this is what seals the deal as far as everything in the IEP and placement. Author’s note: A reminder that NOREP is a term we use here in PA. Other states refer to it as PWN (Prior Written Notice) or may have their own state specific term. It is the document that you get that seals the deal, when you agree or disagree to the IEP, placement and all the services.
  15. OCR–Office of Civil Rights
  16. OT-Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy, depending on context it’s being used.
  17. PLOP–Present Levels of Performance, a section of the IEP, near the front and I think it’s the most important part, since it drives the IEP services
  18. PT-Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy
  19. PTE–Permission to Evaluate form, what the school sends you to get your permission to evaluate your child, though they can do it without your consent
  20. PWN–Prior Written Notice, it was recently written into IDEA in the 2004 reauthorization
  21. RR-Re-evaluation report, timelines and process are the same for ERs and RRs.
  22. SD-school district
  23. SDI–Specially Designed Instruction, the meat and potatoes of the IEP–what instructional strategies that are specific to your child’s special needs, in order to help them access and benefit from their FAPE
  24. SLP-Speech and Language Pathologist, aka speech therapist
  25. TVI-Teacher of Visually Impaired