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