Glossary

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Techniques and materials that allow individuals with LD to complete school or work tasks with greater ease and effectiveness. Examples include spellcheckers, tape recorders, and expanded time for completing assignments.
 

ADVOCATE

A person who supports and represents the rights and interests of another individual in order to ensure the individual’s full legal rights and access to services. The advocate can be a friend, a relative, a Counselor, or any other interested person.
 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT)

Equipment that enhances the ability of students and employees to be more efficient and successful. For individuals with LD (learning disabilities), computer grammar checkers, an overhead projector used by a teacher, or the audiovisual information delivered through a CD-ROM would be typical examples.
 

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD)

A severe difficulty in focusing and maintaining attention. Often leads to learning and behavior problems at home, school, and work. Also called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
 

AUTISM

The term means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that adversely affects educational performance. Characteristics of autism include irregularities and impairments in communication, engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term does not include children with characteristics of the disability of serious emotional disturbance.
 

DYSCALCULIA

A severe difficulty in understanding and using symbols or functions needed for success in mathematics.
 

DYSGRAPHIA

A severe difficulty in producing handwriting that is legible and written at an age-appropriate speed.
 

DYSLEXIA

A severe difficulty in understanding or using one or more areas of language, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and spelling.
 

DYSNOMIA

A marked difficulty in remembering names or recalling words needed for oral or written language.
 

DYSPRAXIA

A severe difficulty in performing drawing, writing, buttoning, and other tasks requiring fine motor skill, or in sequencing the necessary movements.
 

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS)

A condition affecting the children of mothers who consume large quantities of alcohol during pregnancy; it can involve cognitive delays, attentional difficulties, and physical and emotional disability. Deficits range from mild to severe, including growth retardation, brain damage, mental retardation, anomalies of the face, and heart failure. (Definition from:http://www.therapistfinder.net .)
 

INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)

At the core of special education service delivery is the Individualized Education Program, IEP. The IEP begins with a statement specifically describing the child's present level of educational performance. In the IEP, specifically defined and measurable annual and short-term goals are written for each child based upon his or her own pattern of strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the IEP specifies how the child's progress toward the goals will be measured. Finally, for students with behavior problems which interfere with their learning, the IEP should contain a program designed to teach the student appropriate behavior and social skills. All behavior management techniques to be used should be specifically addressed in the IEP. (Definition from: http://www.therapistfinder.net
 

INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN (IFSP)

The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) documents and guides the early intervention process for children with disabilities and their families. The IFSP is the means for the implementation of effective early intervention in accordance with Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It contains information about the services necessary to facilitate a child's development and enhance the family's capacity to facilitate the child's development. Through the IFSP process, family members and service providers work as a team to plan, implement, and evaluate services tailored to the family's unique concerns, priorities, and resources.
 

INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM PLAN (IPP)

The Individual Program Plan is a written statement of goals and specific objectives in areas important to the individual with disabilities for which it is written. Each goad contains one or more objectives to achieve it and a target date for completion. An Individualized Program Plan is similar to an Individualized Family Service Plan except it is for individuals with disabilities who are over age three.
 

MUSIC THERAPY

Music therapy unites the fields of music and therapy to provide a creative treatment and medium. More specifically, music therapy combines music modalities with humanistic, psychodynamic, behavioral, and biomedical approaches to help clients attain therapeutic goals. These goals can be mental, physical, emotional, social, and/or spiritual in nature. Problems or needs are addressed both through the therapeutic relationship between the client and music therapist, as well as approached directly through the music itself. (Definition from: http://www.therapistfinder.net.)

 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT)

Adapted from the American Association of Occupational Therapy Definition: Occupational therapy is a health profession that uses goal-directed activities, appropriate to each person's age and social role, to restore, develop, or maintain the ability for independent, satisfying living. Occupational therapists evaluate, treat, and consult with individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of everyday living are threatened or impaired by physical illness or injury, psychosocial disability, or developmental deficits. Occupational therapists work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation agencies, long-term-care facilities, and other health-care organizations.  (Definition from: http://www.therapistfinder.net .)

 

PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING (PCP)

An approach to planning for the future based on the client and family’s wishes and on the client’s abilities and preferences.

 

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS & PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS (PT & PTA)

Physical Therapists (PTs) have at least a 4-year college degree in physical therapy. Many have master's degrees. In the year 2002, master's degrees will be required. After graduating, PTs must past a certification or licensure exam. PTs evaluate (test) and treat people with mobility or movement, muscle, joint, pain or other health problems or physical injuries. They are extensively involved in the therapy and rehabilitation process after illness or injury. The assessment process includes clinical interviews, analysis of movement, posture and flexibility, strength and reflex testing, and often the analysis of x-rays. Often physicians rely heavily on PTs to gather information about a patient's symptom severity and the breadth of the symptoms' effects on the patient's life. They are also relied on by physicians to communicate with the patient and to answer questions about illness or injury. Treatments include exercise training, endurance training and training in daily living skills such as walking and more. PTs tailor exercise regimens for the relief of each patient's specific injury or illness, and train patients to perform the exercises on their own. They also meet with patients on an ongoing basis to measure their progress and to design new exercises and therapies to continuously challenge the patient as their strength, flexibility, and living skills improve. Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of Physical Therapists. They assist in training patients to exercise correctly for their specific injury or illness and in treating patients in general. (Definition from: http://www.therapistfinder.net .)
 

SPECIAL EDUCATION (SPED)

Instructional and resource programs and related services, unique materials, physical plant adjustments, and other special education facilities, such as instruction in other settings, which modify, supplement, support, or are in the place of the standard educational program of the public schools. The term includes speech pathology and vocational education. (Definition from: http://www.therapistfinder.net.)