We here at the Special Needs Community have our own net lingo that is specific to our Community. So if you are just joining the Special Needs world and are not sure what all these abbreviations mean, here is a list to get you started.

If there are some here that you know of, do not see and want posted, please PM me

ABA: applied behavioral analysis
ADD: attention deficit disorder
ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
APD/CAPD: central auditory processing disorder
ASD: autism spectrum disorder
AS: aspergers syndrome
ASPIE: referring to an aspergers Child

CDD: childhood disintegrative disorder
CP: cerebral palsy

DS: down syndrome

ECSE: early childhood special educator
EI: early intervention

FTT- Failure to thrive

GERD/GORD: gastroesophageal reflux disease

HFA: high functioning autism

IDEA: individuals with disabilities education act
IEP: individualized education plan
IFSP: individualized family service plan

MR - mental retardation

NLD: nonverbal learning disorder/disability
NT: neurotypical (term used amongst the Autism Community to describe the children that have normal brain function)

OCD: obsessive compulsive disorder
ODD: oppositional defiant disorder
OT: occupational therapy

PDD: pervasive development disorder
PDD-NOS: pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified
PT: physical therapy

RDI: relationship development intervention
RS: Retts Syndrome

SB: Spina Bifida
SID/SPD: sensory integrative disorder/sensory processing disorder- both represent the same issue
SN: special needs.
SLP/SLT: speech language pathologist/speech and language therapists
ST: speech therapy

VED: vestibular disorder