Alphabet Soup
A lot of times people use abbreviations in advocacy, and this can get really confusing, especially when you are new to advocacy.
This thread is a place to share the different Abbreviations, What they Mean, and to Ask about any Abbreviations you are unfamiliar with. As we get more, I will add them to this post in alphabetical order.
The Master List
ADHD/ADD- Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder
ANI- Autism Network International
ASAN- Autistic Self Advocacy Network
ASA N- Autism Society of America, Nebraska chapter
ASD- Autism Spectrum Disorders
AWN- Autism Women's Network
FAPE- Free Appropriate Public Education (See "Section 504")
FERPA- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Gov Site on this)
HIPAA- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Gov Site on this)
IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Gov Site on this)
IEP- Individualized Education Program
LD- Learning Disability/Disabled
ND - Neurodiversity
NT- Neurologically Typical, or Neurotypical. or non-autistic.
OCD- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
ODD- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
PTSD- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
RAD- Reactive Attachment Disorder
Section 504- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prevents discrimination based on disability (Gov site on this)
Savannah Nicole Logsdon-Breakstone Director of Advocacy 
ASAN is also Autism Society of America, Nebraska chapter.
Thank you Genisa! sorry for the delay, too many people and family things last couple of days!
Savannah Nicole Logsdon-Breakstone Director of Advocacy
Let me know if you want a special education soup!
I would love that, Amy! more info we have for people starting out the better.
I'm adding HIPAA and FERPA to the list because of a couple of cases I am hering some possible FERPA issues in, and a lot of people Mis-ID FERPA Issues as HIPAA issues.
Savannah Nicole Logsdon-Breakstone Director of Advocacy
The Special Education Soup List
ABA ---Applied Behavior Analysis
ABC ---Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence
AC ---Augmentative Communication
ADA ---Americans with Disabilities Act
APS ---Approved Private School
ASL ---American Sign Language
AT ---Assistive Technology
AYP ---Annual Yearly Progress
BEC ---Basic Education Circular
BIP ---Behavior Intervention Plan
CAP ---Corrective Action Plan (PA)
CEC ---Council for Exceptional Children
DP ---Due Process
DSM ---Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
ECE ---Early Childhood Education
ED ---Emotional Disturbance
EDGAR ---Education Department General Administrative Regulations
EI ---Early Intervention
ER ---Evaluation Report
ERIC ---Educational Resources Information Center
ESL ---English as a Second Language
ESY ---Extended School Year
FAPE ---Free Appropriate Public Education
FAS ---Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FBA ---Functional Behavioral Assessment
FC ---Facilitated Communication
FOIA ---Freedom of Information Act
GT ---Gifted/Talented
HO ---Hearing Officer (PA)
IAES ---Interim Alternative Educational Setting
ICC ---Interagency Coordinating Council
IDEA ---Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE ---Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP ---Individualized Education Program
IFSP ---Individualized Family Service Plan
LD ---Learning Disability
LEA ---Local education agency
LEP ---Limited-English-Proficient
LRE ---Least Restrictive Environment
LTF ---Local Task Force (PA)
MDE ---Multidisciplinary Evaluation
MDR ---Manifestation Determination Review
MDT ---Multidisciplinary Team
NCLB ---No Child Left Behind
NICHCY---National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
NOREP ---Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (PA)
OCR ---Office for Civil Rights
ODR ---Office for Dispute Resolution (PA)
OHI ---Other Health Impairment
OSEP ---Office of Special Education Programs
OSERS ---Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
OT ---Occupational Therapy
OVR ---Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
PALS ---Peer Assisted Learning System
PBS ---Positive Behavioral Supports
PLOEP ---Present Level of Educational Performance
PLOP ---Present Level of Performance
PSSA ---Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PA)
PT ---Physical Therapy
RR ---Re-evaluation Report
RS ---Related Services
RtI ---Response to Intervention
SDI ---Specially Designed Instruction
SEA ---State Education Agency
S/L I ---Speech/Language Impairment
TBI ---Traumatic Brain Injury
Thank you Amy! I will add those when I get a few spare minute!
Savannah Nicole Logsdon-Breakstone Director of Advocacy
another couple, might be Canada specific
ODSP - Ontario Disability Support Program
PECs - Picture Exchange Communication System (picture boards!)
LD - Learning Disability/Disabled
NT - Neurologically Typical, or Neurotypical. or non-autistic.
ND - Neurodiversity
~ Corina
Your friendly Director of Networking and Forum Moderator
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi