AAC – Alternative Augmentative Communication

ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADLs – Activities of Daily Living

APE – Adaptive Physical Education

APR – Annual Performance Review

ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASL – American Sign Language

AT – Assistive Technology

ATC – Assistive Technology Center

AYP – Adequate Yearly Progress

BD – Behavior Disorder

BI – Brain Injury

BIA – Brain Injury Association OR Bureau of Indian Affairs

BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan

BMP – Behavior Management Plan

CADRE – The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education

CAP – Client Assistance Program (DLC)

CAP – Corrective Action Plan

CAPD – Central Auditory Processing Disorder

CD – Communication Disorder

CEC – Council for Exceptional Children

CF – Cystic Fibrosis

CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program

CIE – Competitive Integrated Employment

CIL – Centers for Independent Living

COE – Center for Expertise

COLA – Cost of Living Adjustment

CP – Cerebral Palsy

CPD – Center for Persons with Disabilities, Utah State University

CPIR – Center for Parent Information and Resources; TA Center for Parent Centers

CSHCN – Children with Special Health Care Needs, Utah Department of Health

CWIC – Community Work Incentives Coordinator

DHH – This is meant to be inclusive of all individuals who identify as deaf, Deaf, and
hard of hearing individuals

DB – Deafblind

DCFS – Division of Child and Family Services

DD – Developmental Delay

DD Act – Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act

DDS – Division of Disability Determination Services

D/HH – Deaf/Hard of Hearing

DHS – Department of Human Services

DI – Direct Instruction

DLC – Disability Law Center

DSAMH – Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health

DOH – Department of Health

DS – Down Syndrome

DSBVI – Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

DSDHH – Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

DSM – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American
Psychiatric Association

DSPD – Division of Services for People with Disabilities

DWS – Department of Workforce Services

EBD – Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

EC – Early Childhood OR Exceptional Child[ren]

ECE – Early Childhood Education

ED – Emotional Disturbance

EDGAR – Education Department General Administrative Regulations

EF – Executive Function

EHDI – Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

EI – Early Intervention

EN – Employment Network

EPSDT – Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment

ESSA – Every Students Succeeds Act

ESEA – Elementary and Secondary Education Act

ESL – English as a Second Language

ESY – Extended School Year

F2FHIC – Family to Family Health Information Center, Family Voices/Utah Parent Center Project

FAPE – Free, Appropriate, Public Education

FASD – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

FBA – Functional Behavioral Assessment/Analysis

FERPA – Family Education Rights Privacy Act

FFY – Federal Fiscal Year

FIOA – Freedom of Information Act

FLSA – Fair Labor Standards Act

FOIA – Freedom of Information Act

FtoFN – Family to Family Network, A Program of the Utah Parent Center

GCSSP – Governor’s Coordination and Special Services Plan

GE – General Education, sometimes referred to as GenEd

GT – Gifted and Talented

GRAMA – The Government Records Access and Management Act

HHS – Health and Human Services

HOH – Hard of Hearing

HS – Head Start OR High School

IA – Instructional Assistant, sometimes referred to as a Para, or Paraprofessional

IAES – Interim Alternative Education Setting

ICC – Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs
and Their Families

ID – Intellectual Disability

IEE – Independent Educational Evaluation

IDEA 2004 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act; Reauthorized in
2004

IEP – Individualized Education Program

IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan

IHE – Institution of Higher Education

IL – Independent Living

ILC – Independent Living Center

IPE – Individualized Plan for Employment

IRWE – Impairment-Related Work Expenses

ISP – Individualized Service Plan

LCPD – Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities

LD – Learning Disability (sometimes called SLD see below)

LDA – Learning Disabilities Association

LEA – Local Education Agency

LEP – Limited English Proficiency

LMHA – Local Mental Health Authority

LRBI – Least Restrictive Behavioral Interventions

LRE – Least Restrictive Environment

MCH – Maternal and Child Health, Utah Department of Health

MD – Manifestation Determination

MD – Multiple Disabilities

MD – Muscular Dystrophy

MH – Mental Health

MOA – Memorandum of Agreement

MPRRC – Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center – Center for Inclusive Childcare

MTSS – Multi-tiered System of Supports

NAMI –National Alliance on Mental Illness

NDT – Neurodevelopmental Treatment

NEA – National Education Association

OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCR – Office of Civil Rights

ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder

OHI – Other Health Impairment

OI – Orthopedic Impairment

O & M – Orientation and Mobility

OSEP – Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education

OSERS – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

OT – Occupational Therapy/Therapist

PALS – Peer-Assisted Learning System

PASS – Plan for Achieving Self-Support

PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

PCA – Personal Care Attendant

PD – Physical Disability

PDD – Pervasive Developmental Disorder

PLAAFP– Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance

PP – Paraprofessional

PS – Preschool

PT – Physical Therapy/Therapist

PTI – Parent Training and Information Center

PWD – Person with a disability

RAD – Reactive Attachment Disorder

RSA – Rehabilitation Services Administrator

RTI – Response to Intervention

§ -This symbol means “Section” as in “§ 300.7 Child with a disability” in the IDEA
regulations

SAS – Supplementary Aids and Services (in education)

SAS – Self-Administered Services (in DSPD)

SB – Spina Bifida

SC – Support Coordinator

SEA – State Education Agency

USEAP – Utah Special Education Advisory Panel

SED – Serious Emotional Disturbance

SEIE – Student Earned Income Exclusion

SGA – Substantial Gainful Activity

SI – Sensory Integration

SI – Speech Impairment

SJBT – Supported Job Based Training

SIG – State Improvement Grant

SIP – State Improvement Plan

SL – Supported Living

SLD – Specific Learning Disability

S/LI – Speech/Language Impairment

SLP – Speech/Language Pathologist

POA – Power of Attorney

SPED – Special Education

SSA – Social Security Administration

SSDI – Social Security Disability Income

SSI – Supplemental Security Income

SSIP – State Systemic Improvement Plan

SSP – Supplemental Service Providers

STO – Short-Term Objectives

TA – Technical Assistance

TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury

TDD – Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf

TE – Transitional Employment

TS – Tourette Syndrome

TTA – Training and Technical Assistance

TTY – Teletypewriter (phone system for the deaf)

TWWIIA – Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act

UAA – Utah Alternate Assessment

UATT – Utah Assistive Technology Teams

UATP – Utah Assistive Technology Program, Utah State University

UCAT – Utah Center for Assistive Technology

UDDC – Utah Developmental Disabilities Council

UFV – Utah Family Voices, a project of the Utah Parent Center

UIP – Utah Interpreter Program

UPC – Utah Parent Center

UPIPS – Utah Program Improvement Planning System for Special Education

USB – Utah School for the Blind

USBE – Utah State Board of Education

USD – Utah School for the Deaf

USDB – Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

USIG – Utah’s State Improvement Grant

USILC – Utah Statewide Independent Living Council

USOR – Utah State Office of Rehabilitation

USEAP – Utah State Office of Education Special Education Advisory Panel

UWIPS – Utah Work Incentives Planning Services

VI – Visual Impairment

Voc Ed – Vocational Education

VR – Vocational Rehabilitation

WIOA – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

WIPA – Work incentives Planning and Assistance

This list was compiled from lists created by the Utah Parent Center in 2001, Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE), Acronyms and Special Education Handout, April 2001, and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Two of these very
comprehensive lists can be accessed online at Acronyms from ericec.org and FAPE
information from fape.org.

Compiled by the Utah Parent Center
Updated – November 2006
Updated – April 2020