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
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
