Regulation
Major federal legislation first passed in 1975 guaranteeing a public education to children with disabilities, protecting their rights and assisting states in delivering these services
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Level of preventive intervention aimed at reducing number of new cases of a disability
Primary
Instruction designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities
Special education
An issue interacting with an environment resulting from a disability
Handicap
Educational entity responsible for providing free, appropriate, public education in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education statutes
Local Education Agency (LEA)
Extends civil rights protections for people with disabilities to private employment, public services, transportation and telecommunications
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Type of therapy aimed at building ability to perform activities of daily life
Occupational
Procedure required under IDEA for resolving disputes about child identification, placement, etc. between educational agency and families
Due process
Term for students with abilities significantly above the average
Gifted and talented
Works in conjunction with the special education teacher to provide learning experiences to children with disabilities
Paraprofessional
1972 landmark court case resulting in codified right to a public education for children with disabilities in Pennsylvania, and which heavily influenced later federal legislation such as IDEA
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
A multidisciplinary team performs this to determine if a child needs special education services
Evaluation
Detailed plan outlining the unique approach to be taken for meeting a special needs student's educational goals
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Intellectual disability (ID)
Nonprofit serving to connect parents of children with disabilities or special needs in Pennsylvania
Parent to Parent of PA
Section of Pennsylvania State Education Law that provides special education regulations in compliance with Federal education law
Chapter 14
Additional supports needed by children in order to benefit from special education e.g. therapy
Related services
The type of education guaranteed to children with disabilities under IDEA
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
A rhythm disorder characterized by repetition of sounds, words, phrases, e.g. stutter
Dysfluency
Professional serving to treat students to improve their speech and language production skills
2015 federal regulation mandating challenging academic standards for all students, improved school environments by reducing bullying and aversive discipline practices and licensing in special education for special education teachers
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Equipment, products or systems used to improve or maintain capabilities of children with disabilities
Assistive technology
Type of environment children with special needs must be educated in
Least restrictive environment (LRE)
Condition affecting verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction and educational performance. Often also accompanied by resistance to environmental change and unusual responses to sensory experiences
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Provide children help in exploring recreational activities, career opportunities and educational alternatives
Therapeutic staff support