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Alphabet Soup
Terms, Titles & Acronyms
Alphabet Soup is a list of terms, titles, and acronyms you might read and hear as you and your family become more familiar with the health and behavioral health care systems.
You may want to keep this list handy until you're the one pitching those terms around.
Alphabet Soup may clear up some unfamiliar terms and acronyms.
| 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 |
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