Some Qualifying Conditions
Related Services
Special Education Law/IEP
More Terms
Help for Students
100
A brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, communication and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Signs usually begin before a child is 3 years old.
What is Autism?
100

An approach to eliminate challenging behaviors and replace them with pro-social skills by reinforcing desired behaviors, rather than using punitive measures.

What is Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)?

100
The placement of a special needs student in a manner promoting the maximum possible interaction with the general school population. Placement options are offered on a continuum including regular classroom with no support services, regular classroom with support services, designated instruction services, special day classes and private special education programs.
What is least restrictive enviornment (LRE)?
100
Term used to describe services that place students with disabilities in general education classrooms with appropriate support services. Student may receive instruction from both a general education teacher and a special education teacher.
What is inclusion?
100
A form of Specially Designed Instruction. When a program, especially a general education program, is modified, it is changed in terms of goals, expectations, level of performance or content.
What are modifications?
200
An acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment. Applies to open or closed head injuries.
What is Tramatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
200
A professional who treats patients with injuries, illnesses or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.
What is an Occupational Therapist (OT)?
200
The original legislation was written in 1975 guaranteeing students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education and the right to be educated with their non-disabled peers. Congress has reauthorized this federal law. The most recent revision occurred in 2004.
What is IDEA?
200

An IEP review meeting that takes place every three years. During this meeting, the IEP team meets to discuss a student’s continuing eligibility for special education services. It is often combined with the IEP annual review

What is a re-evaluation?

200
Changes that allow a person with a disability to participate fully in an activity. Examples include, extended time, different test format, and alterations to a classroom.
What are accommodations?
300

Special education term used to define a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or production of work (e.g., writing) that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical equations.

What is Specific Learning Disability (SLD)?

300

Assesses students for possible delayed speech and language skills and provides direct services in the area of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. They are also available regarding hearing impairments and amplification.

What is a speech and language pathologist (SLP)?

300
A plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.
What is a 504 plan?
300
Special education term used to describe the process where parents may disagree with the program recommendations of the school district. The notice must be given in writing within 30 days. IDEA provides two methods for resolving disputes, mediation or fair hearing.
What is due process?
300

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (e.g., a tablet, communication aide, audiobook, screenreader)

What is assistive technology?

400
A mental health issue including, but not limited to, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depression), conduct disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and psychotic disorders.
What is Emotional Disturbance (ED)?
400

A process which describes a student’s disruptive behaviors, looks for the reasons behind the behaviors and offers interventions that teach new behaviors to replace the undesired ones.

What is functional behavior assessment (FBA)?

400
Special education and related services are provided at public expense, without charge to the parents.
What is free and appropriate education (FAPE)?
400

It is a measurable statement that describes what a child is reasonably expected to accomplish from the specialized educational program during the school year.

What are goals (measurable annual goals)?

400

Someone who has a special education degree, has a child or other family member with special needs, or has worked in a related field (e.g., special education law) and has a true passion for the special needs population. They provide support, direction, encouragement and comfort for families and work together with you and the school district to secure the best possible education for your child.

What is an advocate?

500
A delay in one or more of the following areas of childhood development: cognitive development, physical development (including vision and hearing), communication development, social and/or emotional development and adaptive development (including eating skills, dressing and toileting skills and other areas of personal responsibility)
What is Developmental Delay (DD)?
500

Their primary role is to assist the teacher. This can vary between teachers, schools and districts and for the specific student they are assigned, but most can expect to divide their time between working with student or students, providing behavioral support, instructional support, and completing administrative tasks assigned by the teacher.

What is a paraprofessional?

500
Special education term outlined by IDEA to define the written document that states the disabled child's goals, objectives and services for students receiving special education.
What is an individualized education plan (IEP)?
500

IDEA mandates that at age 16, the IEP must include a statement about transition including goals for post-secondary activities and the services needed to achieve these goals.

What is an individualized transition plan (ITP)?

500

Levels of support in MTSS; each level is additive from the one prior

What is Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3?

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