Disabilities or Behaviors
Assessment, Services, and Therapies
Government Regulations / Legalities
Agencies/ Organizations
100

A communication disorder characterized by difficulty understanding and/or producing language

Aphasia

100

A special education professional who works side-by-side with a special education teacher to provide appropriate and meaningful educational programs to students with special needs

Paraprofessional
100

Defines the term disability and prohibits discrimination by employers, by facilities open to the general public, and by state and local public agencies that provide such services as transportation

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

100

The administrative regulatory body for elementary, secondary, and higher education in the commonwealth

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

200

A developmental disability generally evident before age three that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and educational performance.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

200

A plan that is put in place to teach a child proper behavior and social skills. It should be positive in nature, not punitive

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

200

outlines the confidentiality and protection of medical records

Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA)

200

The state agency whose mission is to promote health and sound health policy, prevent disease and disability, improve health services systems, and ensure that essential public health functions and safety net services are available

Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH)

300

A neurological disorder in which individuals display developmentally-inappropriate behavior including poor attention skills and impulsivity.

Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)

300

A related service that provides therapy based on engagement in meaningful activities of daily life (e.g., self-care skills, education, work, social interaction) especially to enable or encourage participation in such activities despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental functioning.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

300

protects the civil rights of individuals with disabilities.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

300

a nonprofit organization that links families of individuals with disabilities or special needs.

Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania

400

A rhythm disorder characterized by the repetition of a sound, word, or phrase. Stuttering is perhaps the most serious type of this

Dysfluency

400

A form of communication that uses the face, hands, and body to convey meaning in a grammatical structure very different from English. This is the native language of the deaf community of the United States

American Sign Language
400

The section of Pennsylvania State Education Law that provides special education regulations in compliance with Federal education law, namely IDEA 2004

Chapter 14

400

the state agency in charge of promoting, improving, and sustaining the quality of family life. This includes child development; children, youth, and families; developmental programs; income maintenance; medical assistance; mental health and substance abuse services.

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW)

500

An abnormal sensitivity to touch indicated by avoidance or rejection of touching and handling. The child who has this disability may resist something of an unusual texture, temperature, pressure, or wetness

Tactile Defensiveness

500

a service that assists individuals with disabilities in training for employment, maintaining employment, and living independently.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

500

Protects the privacy and transfer of student education records

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

500

A state advisory panel required by federal law to provide policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities

Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP)

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