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Stone Soup Group

Supporting Alaskan Families who care for children with special needs.

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Glossary

ALPHABET SOUP: Terms, Titles, and Acronyms

A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z


Cartoon talking in acronyms

A

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

Aspirate
when solid foods or liquids go down the wrong pipe and into the airway or lungs-blocking the ability to breathe

Atonic
lacking muscle tone

Atypical
unusual, different

Audiology
study/practice of hearing & hearing disorders

B

BVI
Blind/Visually Impaired

Baseline
the measure of frequency, duration, and intensity of behavior or ability before intervention

C

CBC
blood test to measure types and numbers of cells, red and white, platelet count is determined and so is hemoglobin concentration

Cardiologist
Medical Doctor who specializes in evaluation and treatment of heart problems

Case Manager
the person responsible for identifying, coordinating and monitoring services and supports for a child, 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

CHIP
Children’s Health Insurance Program

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

CYSHEN
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

D

DD
Developmental Disabilities

DDU
Disability Determination Unit

DHSS
Department of Health and Social Services

DLC
Disability Law Center

DPA
Division of Public Assistance

DVR
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Developmental Pediatrician
a pediatrician with specialized training in diagnosing children with developmental disabilities

Dysarthria
difficulty in speaking because of muscle movement and coordination

Dysphagia
difficulty in swallowing

DEED
Department of Education and Early Development

E

EPSDT
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment

EI
Early Intervention

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

ESER
Evaluation Summary and Eligibility Review (part of an IEP)

Expressive Language
communication by language, gesturing, sign language

F

FASD
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

FTT
Failure to Thrive (growth that is affected by malnutrition or chronic health disorders)

G

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

H

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

I

IADL
Independent Activities of Daily Living

IDD
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IFSP
Individual Family Service Plan

IEP
Individualized Education Program

ILP
Infant Learning Program (sometimes referred to as EI or Early Intervention)

L

LD
Learning Disabilities

LOC
Level of Care

LOS/LON
Letter of Support/Necessity

LRE
Least Restrictive Environment

M

Multidisciplinary Team
group of professionals who each represent an area of expertise

N

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

Neuropsychologist
A psychologist who specializes in disorders associated with brain-based conditions

Neurosurgeon
a doctor who specializes in surgery on brain, spinal cord and nerves

NFLOC
Nursing Facility Level of Care

NICU
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Nutritionist
a specialist in nutrition who can help with health issues of food intake and diet

O

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

P&A
Protection and Advocacy

P2P
Parent to Parent/Peer to Peer

PCA
Personal Care Attendant

PO
for Latin words meaning “by mouth”

POC
Plan of Care

PT
Physical Therapist/Therapy

PTI
Parent training and information center

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

R

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

ROI
Release of Information

S

SDS
Senior and Disability Services

SESA
Special Education Service Agency

SLP
Speech Language Pathologist

SN
Special Needs

SOA
State of Alaska

SSI/SSDI
Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability 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

T

TEFRA
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act; Medicaid eligibility based on disability

-tomy
suffix meaning “cutting”

U

UAP
University Affiliated Program

V

VI
Visually Impaired

W

Waivers
programs through Medicaid to help provide services to individuals who need higher levels of care

WIC
Women, Infants and Children – Nutrition Program provides education

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Stone Soup Group 307 E Northern Lights Blvd #100 Anchorage, AK 99503 · Directions and Map
Phone: (907) 561-3701 · Tax ID: 92-0149995
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