Special Needs Acronyms: A Guide for Parents

Special needs acronyms and abbreviations can make understanding your child’s needs even more challenging.

As you navigate the special needs world from doctors to schools to therapists you will run across a variety of acronyms and abbreviations.

This can be very confusing!

It can also be alienating if you feel like everyone else is speaking an inside language.

This list is meant to help you gain a better understanding of several special needs acronyms used by doctors, schools, and therapists.

Think back to when you gained a new vocabulary as you prepared for your job and when you became a parent. When you became a parent you probably learned about “OB/GYNs” and maybe the “NICU.” You probably learned new words like “colic” and “Braxton Hicks.”

You can do this! And remember – if you do not know what a professional is saying – ask. This is a learning process.

I hope this list helps you in your journey. I am a firm believer that acquiring knowledge is an important step in caring for you, your child, and your family.

* Please note that some acronyms may be different depending on your region.

A

• ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis.
• ABR – Auditory Brainstem Response. A hearing test that tells how the inner ear and pathways to the brain are working. This test is used with children and those unable to complete typical hearing testing. Also called AEP – Auditory Evoked Potential.
• ADL – Activities of Daily Living. For example, dressing and brushing teeth.
• ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
• AFO – Ankle Foot Orthosis. A brace worn typically between socks and shoes and typically reaches up to the knee.
• ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder. A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by social and communication difficulties.
• AT – Assistive Technology.
• Au. D. – Doctorate in Audiology or Audiologist.

B

• BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst. A person who practices ABA (see above).
• BFRB – Body Focused Repetitive Behavior.
• BID – Twice a day. (Latin: bis in die). Used in prescriptions for medications taken two times a day.
• BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan. Used in the school system. Individualized for the student.

C

• CBI – Community Based Intervention.

D

• DSM-V – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition. Handbook of symptoms, descriptions, and criteria used by mental health professionals when diagnosing a mental disorder.

E

• ECO – Emergency Custody Order. A short term, emergency order issued when some is experiencing a mental illness crisis and needs to be taken to a hospital (often by police) for their safety and/or the safety of others.
• ED – Emotional Disability. A category used in IEPs (see below).
• EI – Early Intervention. Services for children typically from birth to 3 years of age.
• ESY – Extended School Year.

F

• FAPE – Free and Appropriate Education.
• FBA – Functional Behavior Assessment.

G

• GAF – Global Assessment of Functioning.
• GP – General Practitioner.

H

• HIPPA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. A law that protects individual health records and identifiable health information.

I

• ICC – Individualized Care Coordination.
• ID – Intellectual Disability.
• IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. A law that ensures children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education that meets the child’s unique needs.
• IEP – Individualized Education Plan. This is a plan designed within the school system along with the family. These are for students aged 3-21.
• IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan. This is a plan typically used for infants and toddlers before the age of 3.

J

• JCAHO – Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

K

L

• LCSW- Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
• LMHC – Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
• LEA – Local Education Agency.
• LRE – Least Restrictive Environment. Often seen in IEP (see above) referring to a child’s school placement.

M

• MBS(S) – Modified Barium Swallow (Study). A test done in the hospital using real-time x-ray to determine if food or liquid is entering the lungs when someone is swallowing. Also called a “cookie study.”
• MDD – Major Depressive Disorder.

N

• NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness. Link to NAMI website.
• NIH – National Institutes of Health. Link to NIH website.
• NIMH – National Institute of Mental Health. Link to NIMH website.
• NPO – Nothing by mouth (Latin: nil per os). This can be a doctor’s order in preparation for surgery or testing.

O

• OAE – Otoacoustic Emissions. A hearing test to determine how well the inner ear is working.
• OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
• OHI – Other Health Impairment. A disability classification on the IEP (see above).
• OT – Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy.

P

• PBIS – Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports.
• PBSP – Positive Behavior Support Plan.
• PHI – Protected Health Information.
• PINS – Person In Need of Supervision. A legal petition when a child’s behavior is beyond control and dangerous.
• PO – By mouth. For medications taken by mouth.
• PRN – Refers to an unscheduled medication that is taken/given as needed.
• PT – Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy.
• PWN – Prior Written Notice. Seen in school documents relating to eligibility for special education and IEPs (see above).

Q

• QID – Four times a day (Latin: quater in die). Used on prescriptions and medication labels.

R

• Rx – Medical Prescription.

S

• SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Link to SAMHSA website.
• SLD – Specific Learning Disability.
• SLI – Speech Language Impairment.
• SLP – Speech Language Pathologist, official title.
• SLT – Speech Language Therapist (same as an SLP) or Speech Language Therapy.
• SMO – Supramalleolar orthoses. A short brace worn on the foot and ankle between socks and shoes.

T

• TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury.
• TDO – Temporary Detention Order. A legal order requiring short-term, emergency care at a psychiatric hospital.
• TID – Three times a Day (Latin: Ter in die). Used on prescriptions and medication labels.
• TTM or Trich – Trichotillomania. Hair pulling disorder. Read more in our post about Trichotillomania.

U

• UR – Utilization Review. Conducted by health insurance companies when services are requested.

V

• VFSE – Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Exam. Another name for the MBS discussed above.

W

• WIC – Women Infants and Children. Assistance program for pregnant women and children up to age 5 years.

X

Y

Z

Special Needs Acronyms: A Guide for Parents – Summary

I hope this list helps you in your journey. I am a firm believer that acquiring knowledge is an important step in caring for you, your child, and your family.

Most likely, this list is just some of the many new acronyms and abbreviations you will come across.

Keep learning and keep asking questions. Remember, if you are in a meeting and do not know a term or an acronym, please stop and ask.

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