Dear Parents,

Welcome, I look forward to getting to know you more, throughout the rest of
the year. Youre children are such a blessing to me. I have put together a list
of acronyms and definitions that have to do with special education and
general education. I realize that special education can be confusing and
there is a lot of information to learn. I have put these together for you to look
over and familiarize yourself with to help your students and grasp what we
are talking about at the IEP meetings and other meetings. As you become
more familiar with these terms you will be able to grasp the process that
your child is going through and what everything actually means, and the
commonly used terminology that is used in special education. If you have
any questions, feel free to ask me whenever you need. I am always here to
help you and your children. I will do anything to help you children have a
better experience and learn more.
Blessings,
Miss Kampenga

Terms:
1. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder): This is a disorder that makes it
difficult for people to concentrate on a certain subject. They get
distracted easily.
2. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): This is a disorder
where the person has a hard time paying attention and also they have
restlessness. They have a hard time sitting still.
3. APE (Adapted Physical Education): Physical education program with
students with special needs. This may include specific equipment to
ensure the students have the best experience in a physical education
classroom.
4. BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan): This is a plan that is put into place to
maintain and address problem behavior. This may include aids or
other services to help the students behavior.
5. CAC (Community Advisory Committee): Consists of parents, teachers,
school board members, district personnel. They talk about the regards
to special education and also helps with giving information to the
parents of special needs children

6. DIS (Designated Instruction Services): Instruction and services that is

not provided in the general education classroom normally. This
includes; speech therapy and adaptive physical education.
7. DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders); List of
mental disorders according to professionals in the United States.
Intense and descriptive book that explains every kind of mental
disorder possible.
8. EBD: Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
9. ESY (Extended School Year Service): The same thing as summer school
but just an extension of the school year if we have noticed that the
student regresses over the summer or needs a specific routine and
would regress because it takes them two or more months to get back
into the routine of school in the general academic year.
10.
FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education): Each child who has
special needs is given a free and appropriate education that is
appropriate for them. They are placed in a classroom that best suits
their needs and abilities.
11.
FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment): Process for addressing
problem behavior.
12.
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act): Guarantees
students with special needs an appropriate education. And includes the
IEP, FAPE and the LRE. This is the outline of most education terms and
laws.
13.
IEE (Independent Education Evaluation): conducting assessments
for students that may be potential special education students. This is
what the parent would file if they do not agree with the results that the
school conducted on the child. This means that, an evaluation is made
by a professional examiner that the school district did not employ.
14.
IEP (Individualized Education Plan): Legal document that is put
together that states the childs objectives, goals and services for the
special education student.
15.
ITP (Individualized Transition Plan): This plan is started at age 14
and it addresses post school activities, living skills and employment.
16.
LRE (Least Restrictive Environment): Environment determined by
the IEP that makes sure that each student is in an environment that

best suits their abilities. This is not he place the child is but it is the
best service for the child.
17.
NPS (Non-Public School): Schools have a contract with a nonpublic school and they are used when a child is not able to be placed in
their LRE in the public school, therefore, they are placed in a non-public
school. This option is only sought after all efforts of public school
placement are completed.
18.
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder): Repetitive behaviors that
the person feels they must perform all the time. Intrusive ideas,
thoughts all the time.
19.
ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder): Disobeying, talking back,
defying authority that is excessive and continues for more than six
months. Often occurs along with ADHD or ADD.
20.
PLAAFP (Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional
Performance): This is the foundation of the IEP. It covers the
educational services the student present level of academic
achievement.
21.
RSP (Resource Specialist Program): Provides instruction and help
to students that have disibilities that are assigned to the general
classroom. They are at least in the general education classroom for
50% each day.
22.
SDC (Special Day Class): This is a self-contained classroom,
where there are only special needs children and a special education
teacher teaching them 100% of the day. This is for students that have
been determined by the IEP and evaluated in the general classroom
and have intense needs that can not be met in the general education
classroom.
23.
SED (Emotional Disturbance): Mental, behavioral or emotional
disorder that meets criteria in the DSM.
24.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): This is provided to
individuals who cannot engage in work activity because of their
disability and have also paid into the social security system or their
parent has.
25.
SST (Student Study Team): This is the group that evaluates and
assesses the students performance and they make recommendations
for the student to be successful.

Resources
American Psychiatric Association. (2014). The diagnostic statistical manual of
mental disorders.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Helping Adults with ADHD Lead Better
Lives.
Understanding Special Education. (2009). Special education terms and
definitions. http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/specialeducation-terms.html