Acronym Dictionary

Navigating disabilities can be filled with many unknown acronyms. The following is a collection of some common acronyms and abbreviations used in educational and medical settings for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Please note that the references included in this dictionary are not endorsed by Baylor University or any of its employees. This dictionary is not intended to be a comprehensive statement of all those that are available. We recommend that readers investigate other resources to obtain additional information for individual applications. Baylor University and its employees assume no responsibility for the use made of any information published in this guide. Always seek the advice of your physician, therapist, or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have.

Numerical

504 – Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Enforced by the Office for Civil Rights

A

AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication

ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADL– Activity of Daily Living

ADRC- Aging and Disability Resources

ARD- Admission, Review, Dismissal 

ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASL – American Sign Language

AT – Assistive Technology

B

BARC- Baylor Autism Resource Clinic

BCBA – Board Certified Behavioral Analyst

BCDD- Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities 

BD – Behavioral Disorder

BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan

C

CP- Cerebral Palsy 

CPS – Child Protective Services

D

DayHab- Day Habilitation Program (See ISS)

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

DTT – Discrete Trial Training

E

EBD – Emotional Behavioral Disorder

EBP – Evidence Based Practice

EC- Early Childhood

ECI – Early Childhood Intervention

ECSE – Early Childhood Special Education

ED – Emotional Disturbance

EIP- Early Intervention Programs

ESC – Education Service Center

ESL – English as a Second Language

F

FBA – Functional Behavioral Assessment

FCT – Functional Communication Training

I

ID – Intellectual Disability

IDD – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IEP – Individualized Education Plan

L

LBA- Licensed Behavior Analyst

LEA – Local Education Agency

LRE – Least Restrictive Environment

LSSP- Licensed Specialist in School Psychology 

N

NCSP- Nationally Certified School Psychologist 

O

OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder

ORS – Office of Rehabilitation Services

OSEP – Office of Special Education Programs

OSERS – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

OSP – Office of Social Programs

OT – Occupational Therapy/Therapist

P

PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System

PT – Physical Therapy/Therapist

R

RBT – Registered Behavior Technician

RTI – Response to Intervention

S

SIB – Self-injurious behavior

SLP – Speech and Language Pathologist

SPED – Special Education

SSI – Supplemental Security Income

T

TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury

V

VR – Vocational Rehabilitation