| ADA |
Americans with Disabilities Act (Public Law 101-336) |
| AFO |
Ankle-Foot Orthotic (brace) |
| ASL |
American Sign Language |
| Acute |
regarding illness, develops quickly and is short in duration |
| An- |
prefix meaning "without" |
| Anoxia |
a condition of insufficient oxygen |
| Ante- |
prefix meaning "before" |
| Anti- |
prefix meaning "against" |
| Apgar Score |
score given to newborns, determines overall physical condition |
| Aphasia |
difficulty with language (expressing or understanding) |
| Apnea |
pause in breathing |
| Apraxia |
movement difficulties caused by brain damage |
| Asphyxia |
condition of too little oxygen in blood, risking brain damage or death |
| At Risk |
infants who may develop problems because of certain conditions like premature birth |
| Atonic |
lacking muscle tone |
| Atypical |
unusual, different |
| Audiology |
study/practice of hearing & hearing disorders |
BVI |
Blind/Visually Impaired |
| Baseline |
the measure of frequency, duration and intensity of behavior or ability before intervention |
CBC |
blood test to measure types & numbers of cells, red and white, platelet count is determined and so is hemoglobin concentration |
| Cardiologist |
a doctor who specializes in evaluation and treatment of heart problems |
| Case Manager |
the person responsible for identifying, coordinating and monitoring services & supports for child with special health care needs, including medical and health needs, transitions and parent skill building. |
| Central Nervous System |
brain and spinal cord: this area controls thinking, learning, speech and movement |
| Chronic |
persistent, long lasting |
| Cognitive |
relating to developmental area that involves thinking skills |
| Congenital |
condition that is/was present at birth, acquired or inherited |
| Contracture |
muscle becomes fixed in rigid, abnormal position |
DD |
Developmental Disabilities |
| DDU |
Disability Determination Unit |
| DHSS |
Department of Health and Social Services |
| DMA |
Division of Medical Assistance |
| DMHDD |
Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities |
| DPA |
Division of Public Assistance |
| DVR |
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation |
| Developmental Pediatrician |
a pediatrician with specialized training in diagnosing children with developmental disabilities |
| Disarthria |
difficulty in speaking because of muscle movement and coordination |
| Dysphagia |
difficulty in swallowing |
EED |
Department of Education and Early Development |
| EPSDT |
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment |
| Early Interventionist |
Infant Educator who assesses/plans/implements developmental programs |
| Endocrinologist |
a physician who specializes in treating problems of the endocrine system (glands that secrete into the bloodstream). This doctor might see a child with diabetes, growth, or hormone problems |
| Expressive language |
communication by language, gesturing, sign language |
FAS |
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome |
| FTT |
Failure to Thrive (growth that is affected by malnutrition or chronic health disorders) |
GI |
gastrointestinal |
| Gait |
the manner of walking |
| Genetic |
inherited |
| Genetic Counselor |
provides information about hereditary disorders, confirms diagnosis and helps identify who in the family may be affected |
HCP/CSN |
Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs |
| HI |
Hearing Impaired |
| Hematologist/Oncologist |
a doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of blood disorders/doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer |
| Hypotonia |
low muscle tone, floppy |
| Hydrocephalus |
accumulation of fluid in the brain |
ICF/MR |
Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded |
| IDEA |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
| IFSP |
Individual Family Service Plan |
| IEP |
Individualized Education Program |
| ILP |
Infant Learning Program |
LD |
Learning Disabled |
| LRE |
Least Restrictive Environment |
MultidisciplinaryTeam (MDT) |
group of professionals who each represent an area of expertise |
NICU |
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit |
| NDT |
Neurodevelopmental Treatment, a method of therapy developed by Bobath |
| Nebulizer |
device used to provide mist/oxygen with or without medicine |
| Neonate |
the term for a newborn baby during its first four weeks of life |
| Neonatologist |
a pediatrician who has received extra training in the care of sick newborns or premature babies |
| Nephrologist |
a doctor who specializes in treating the kidneys |
| Neurological Disorder |
disorders of nervous system, like Spina Bifida, Epilepsy, Neurofibromatosis |
| Neurologist |
a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain and nervous system |
| Neurosurgeon |
a doctor who specializes in surgery on brain, spinal cord and nerves |
| Nutritionist |
a specialist in nutrition who can help with health issues of food intake and diet |
OI |
Orthopedically Impaired |
| OHI |
Other Health Impaired |
| OT |
Occupational Therapist/Therapy |
| Ophthalmologist |
a doctor specializing in treatment and surgeries of the eyes |
| Orthopedist |
a doctor who specializes in bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage |
| Orthotics |
devices used to immobilize part of the body in order to prevent deformity or to assist with function |
| Otolaryngologist |
a doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and surgery of ears, nose and throat. Also called an "ENT" Specialist |
P&A |
Protection and Advocacy |
| PTI |
Parent training and information center |
| PO |
for Latin words meaning "by mouth" |
| PT |
Physical Therapist/Therapy |
| Pediatrician |
a doctor who specializes in care for infants, children and adolescents |
| Periodontist |
a dentist who specializes in treating the gums and tissues around the teeth |
| Perinatologist |
a pediatrician with specialized training in fetal and neonatal care |
| Prone Position |
lying on the stomach |
| Psychologist |
a non-medical professional who works in the field of brain function and human behavior |
Rx |
abbreviation for prescription |
| Range of Motion |
flexibility that allows the span of movement possible of joints like wrists or hips |
| Receptive Language |
the understanding what is being communicated |
SESA |
Special Education Service Agency |
| SLP |
Speech Language Pathologist |
| SSI |
Supplemental Security Income |
| Shunt |
surgical procedure where catheter tube is used to drain excess fluid |
| Spastic |
tight or stiff muscle tone causing difficulty with movement |
| Strabismus |
eyes are not aligned during a forward gaze |
| Supine |
lying on the back |
TEFRA |
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act; Medicaid eligibility based on disability |
| -tomy |
suffix meaning "cutting" |
UAP |
University Affiliated Program |
VI |
Visually Impaired |
WIC |
Women, Infants and Children – Nutrition Program provides education, support |
