ABA - Applied behavioral analysis uses scientific and systematic processes to help influence an individual's behavior.

Assistive technology (AT) - any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. (IDEA 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))

BCBA - A Board Certified Behavior Analyst is a person with a certification in applied behavior analysis. BCBAs receive this certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

BSC - Behavior specialist consultant is a person trained in the observation and analysis of behavioral difficulties in children, adults, animals and families. Behavior specialists usually work in educational institutions, local communities, health centers and workplaces to assist individuals with such difficulties.

Due process - rules of procedure for resolving disputes between parents and schools

Early intervention - the process of providing services, education and support to young children who are deemed to have an established condition, those who are evaluated and deemed to have a diagnosed physical or mental condition (with a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay), an existing delay or a child who is *at-risk of developing a delay or special need that may affect their development or impede their education. The purpose of early intervention is to lessen the effects of the disability or delay. (https://www.wrightslaw.com)

EDT - Educational Technology

ESP - Emotional Safety Plan

ER - Evaluation report; report compiled of data from the IEP team which is made up of teachers, therapists, psychologist, school counselor, family coach, parents/guardians and or learning coach/facilitator. This is the initial report once a student has been recommended for special education

ESY - Extended school year services are individualized special education and/or related services (such as speech/language therapy or occupational therapy) that are uniquely designed to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to a student with disabilities (as mandated by IDEA) over the summer months to support the retention of content

Executive Functioning - Skills including organization, time management, prioritizing tasks, paying attention, working on tasks to completion, understanding point-of-view, regulating emotions and self-monitoring (staying on track)

FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education

504 - Educational plan outlining accommodations and modifications to support a student's medical needs ensuring they have equal access to education

Flipped Classroom - an instructional strategy and a type of blended learning that reverses the traditional learning environment by delivering instructional content, often online, outside of the classroom. It moves activities, including those that may have traditionally been considered homework, into the classroom

FBA - Functional Behavior Assessment is the process that identifies a specific or target behavior that interferes with a student's education. The assessment attempts to designate the particular behavior, identify the factors that support the behavior, and determine the purpose of the behavior.

Functional Behavior - behavior that influences a student's education

IA - The primary role of an instructional assistant is to assist the teacher in all facets of daily classroom management.

IDEA - A four-part (A-D) piece of American legislation that ensures students with a disability are provided with Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs

IEP - Individualized Education Program is a written document that's developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education. The IEP is created through a team effort and reviewed at least once a year. Before an IEP can be written, your child must be eligible for special education

Intervention - A service, therapist, tool, program or activity used to help a student progress in an area of need

Itinerant - A place outside of the regular classroom or a service that comes to assist the student in the regular classroom 

LRE - Least Restrictive Environment; the educational space that allows the student the least amount of barriers to access education

Medical Assistance - The Medicaid program, in Pennsylvania, offers free health insurance to children whose families are within certain income limits. MA covers all medically necessary services for children. There are no limits. If the service is medically necessary there are no payments for parents to make

MOOC - Massive open online courses

MTSS - Multi-tiered system of support

NoRep - Notice of recommended educational placement (signed document that verifies what the school recommends for your student)

OVR - Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for (education and training), obtain, or maintain employment. 

Paraprofessional - alternatively known as a paraeducator, para-pro, paraswami (from Hindi swami for an educated person), instructional assistant, educational assistant, teacher's aide or classroom assistant, is a teaching-related position within a school generally responsible for specialized or concentrated assistance for students in elementary and secondary schools. 

PCA - Personal care assistant provides assistance and support, as needed, to students in accomplishing activities of daily living; including, but not limited to: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring, mobility and positioning. 

PDE - Pennsylvania Department of Education (https://www.education.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx)

PBSP - Positive Behavior Support Plan emphasizes positive behavior based on the unique characteristics of students with special needs

Present Levels - The Present Levels in all IEPs must include academic achievement and functional performance of the student. Test scores, teacher/team input, parent input, grades and more are used to create a snapshot of the current level of achievement and performance

Procedural Safeguards Notice - describes the rights of a parent of a child with a disability and the procedures that safeguard those rights under state and federal special education law

Progress Monitoring - data that is used to assess students' academic performance, to quantify a student rate of improvement or responsiveness to instruction, and to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Data is obtained through assessments, tests, projects, observations and any other methods of data collection a school may utilize

RR - Reevaluation report; updated information every 2-3 years collecting up to date data on the progress and needs of students within special education

Related Services -services a disabled child needs in order to benefit from special education including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation counseling

Resource Room - Course designed to give supplemental support in specific areas (reading, math, writing, executive functioning skills, and social skills

SpEd - Special Education

Social Skills - skills we use to communicate and interact with each other, both verbally and non-verbally, through gestures, body language, and our personal appearance

Transition - The section of an individualized education program that assists in the student making the transition from high school to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living

Twice Exceptional (2e) - children with above average abilities who have special educational needs

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