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Dictionary Of Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Abduction
moving the limbs away from the body
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.
Acute Stress disorder
is a variation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experiencing some of the following: numbing, detachment, derealization, depersonalization or dissociative amnesia.
Adaptive development
development of the child in comparison to other children the same age. This might include the child's ability to dress himself, feed himself, toilet training, how he/she plays with other children, how he/she plays alone, understanding dangers in crossing the street, how he/she behaves if mother leaves the room, etc.
ADA-Americans With Disabilities Act
a civil rights law passed in 1990 that does not allow discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public service, and public accommodations
ACHIEVEMENT TEST
A test that is designated to measure what a student has already learned.
ADAPTATION
Any adjustment or modifications in the environment, instruction or materials used for learning that enhances the student's performance or allows at least partial participation in an activity.
ADAPTED CURRICULUM
Curriculum that includes the same content and to some extent the same sequence as in general education curriculum. It may also focus on access to general education through such methods as signing, Braille tests, or computer-enhanced augmentative devices.
ADDITIVE BILINGUALISM
A process by which individuals develop proficiency in a second language subsequent to or simultaneous with the development of proficiency in the primary language.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE
Refers to any item, piece of equipment, product, or system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized; that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of students with disabilities.
AUTISM
A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before the age of three.
Adaptive behavior
the individuals ability to act appropriately in social situations and to take care of their personal needs
Adaptive physical education
physical education programs specified to meet the needs of special education students
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
student exhibits poor attention, distractibility, impulsitivity, and hyperactivity
Age norms
the average performance of an individual in various age groups
Agoraphobia-
its definition suggests a fear of “open spaces”. Furthermore, individuals experiencing this disorder experience panicky feelings. In fact, agoraphobia is a condition which develops when a person begins to avoid spaces or situations associated with anxiety.
Advocate
someone who takes action to help someone else (as in "educational advocate"); also, to take action on someone's behalf
Amblyopia
the child does not use her eyesight in one eye (lazy eye)
amendment
a change, revision, or addition made to a law
Antisocial Personality Disorder
People with antisocial personality disorder characteristically act out their conflicts and ignore normal rules of social behavior. These individuals are impulsive, irresponsible, and callous. Typically, the antisocial personality has a history of legal difficulties, belligerent and irresponsible behavior, aggressive and even violent relationships. They show no respect for other people and feel no remorse about the effects of their behavior on others. These people ware at high risk for substance abuse, especially alcoholism, since it helps them to relieve tension, irritability and boredom.
Anoxia
a lack of oxygen to tissues which causes cell death or damage
Annual goals
yearly goals documented in the Individualized Education Plan
Appeal
a written
request for a change in a decision; also, to make such a
request
Appropriate
able to meet a need; suitable or fitting; in special education, it usually means the most normal situation possible
Apraxia
difficulty controlling voluntary muscular movements with usually no motor impairment
Anxiety
A feeling of panic which may cause palpitations, sweating, and increased pulse rate
Articulation disorders
difficulty with the production of speech sounds
Assessment
a collecting and bringing together of information about a child's needs, which may include social, psychological, and educational evaluations used to determine services; a process using observation, testing, and test analysis to determine an individual's strengths and weaknesses in order to plan his or her educational services
Assessment team
a team of people from different backgrounds who observe and test a child to determine his or her strengths and weaknesses
Assistive Technology
Equipment that enhances the ability of students and employees to be more efficient and successful. For individuals with LD, computer grammar checkers, an overhead projector used by a teacher, or the audiovisual information delivered through a CD-ROM would be typical examples.
Asthma
a breathing disorder
Astigmatism
blurred vision caused by uneven curvature of lens or cornea
Asymmetrical
one side of the body is different from the other
Ataxic
poor balance
Athetoid
unwanted jerky repetitive movements
At risk
a term used with children who have, or could have, problems with their development that may affect later learning
Atrophy
degeneration of the muscles
audiogram
the written results in a graph form of a hearing test
Audiologist
a specialist that tests and remediates hearing problems
Auditory discrimination
the ability to detect differences in sounds
Augmentative communication
special devices that provide an alternative for spoken language
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Avoidant personalities are often hypersensitive to
rejection and are unwilling to become involved with others unless they are
sure of being liked. Excessive social discomfort, timidity, fear of
criticism, avoidance of social or work activities that involve
interpersonal contact are characteristic of the avoidant personality. They
are fearful of saying something considered foolish by others; worry they
will blush or cry in front of others; and are very hurt by any disapproval
by others. People with avoidant personality disorder may have no close
relationships outside of their family circle, although they would like to,
and are upset at their inability to relate well to
others.
Baseline
the current level the child is functioning at before instruction
Bilateral
affects both sides of the body
BASIC INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS BICS
Language used in everyday social interactions.
BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION
Implementation of procedures for the elimination of maladaptive behaviors which are significantly interfering with the implementation of the student's IEP. A systematic implementation of procedures, identified in the IEP, that result in lasting positive changes in the individual's behavior. Acceptable interventions include Positive Behavioral Support strategies that do not cause pain or trauma, and which respect the student's individual needs and dignity. Specific prohibited interventions are defined in the California Code of Regulations, Title V - Hughes Bill.
BILINGUAL
The ability to speak two languages with native or near-native skills.
Borderline Personality Disorder
People with borderline personality disorder are unstable in several areas, including interpersonal relationships, behavior, mood, and self-image. Abrupt and extreme mood changes, stormy interpersonal relationships, an unstable and fluctuating self-image, unpredictable and self-destructive actions characterize the person with borderline personality disorder. These individuals generally have great difficulty with their own sense of identity. They often experience the world in extremes, viewing others as either “all good” or “all bad.” A person with borderline personality may form an intense personal attachment with someone only to quickly dissolve it over a perceived slight. Fears of abandonment may lead to an excessive dependency on others. Self-multilation or recurrent suicidal gestures may be used to get attention or manipulate others. Impulsive actions, chronic feelings of boredom or emptiness, and bouts of intense inappropriate anger are other traits of this disorder, which is more common among females.
Braille
a pattern of raised dots that are felt with fingers to help the blind read
Brief Psychotic Disorder
is a psychosis that has a rapid onset, generally
following a major stressor. Its hallmark is emotional turmoil, mood
lability, and confusion. The sufferer must have one of the following
symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, grossly disorganized or catatonic
behavior, or disorganized speech. A brief psychotic episode is time
limited, lasting at least a day, but less than a month. As a rule, the
quicker the onset, the faster the recovery.
Categorization
the ability to sort objects by function, color, size, group, etc.
cause and effect
the ability to understand that a specific actions can make something happen
Cataract
loss of vision due to a cloudy lens
Child Find
a service directed by each state's Department of Education or lead agency for identifying and diagnosing unserved children with disabilities; while Child Find looks for all unserved children, it makes a special effort to identify children from birth to six years old
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CPS
A state resource for children who have been abused or neglected.
COGNITIVE ACADEMIC LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY CALP
A level of competence required in oral and written language related to literacy and academic achievement.
Central nervous system
the nerves that travel along the spinal cord to and from the brain
Cerebral palsy
a disorder of the central nervous system which affects muscle movement
Cleft palate
an opening in the roof of the mouth
Cognitive
a term that describes the process people use for remembering, reasoning, understanding, and using judgment; in special education terms, a cognitive disability refers to difficulty in learning
Collaboration
A program model in which the LD teacher demonstrates for or team teaches with the general classroom teacher to help a student with LD be successful in a regular classroom.
Compulsion
a repetitive act that an individual can not consciously control
Compulsive Personality Disorder
Compulsive personalities are conscientious and have high levels of aspiration, but they also strive for perfection. Never satisfied with their achievements, people with compulsive personality disorder take on more and more responsibilities. They are reliable, dependable, orderly, and methodical, but their inflexibility often makes them incapable of adapting to changed circumstances. People with compulsive personality are highly cautious, weigh all aspects of a problem, and pay attention to every detail, making it difficult for them to make decisions and complete tasks. When their feelings are not under strict control, events are unpredictable, or they must rely on others, compulsive personalities often feel a sense of isolation and helplessness. Tourette Syndrome
Comprehensive service system
refers to a list of 14 areas each participating state is to provide under early intervention services. These 14 points range from definition of developmentally delayed, to guidelines for identification, assessment, and provision of early intervention services for the child and family, and include timelines and quality control
Conductive hearing loss
a temporary or permanent hearing loss which occurs when something interferes with the passage of sound to the inner ear
Confabulation
a person replaces memory loss by a fantasy
Congenital
a condition that is present at birth
Counseling
advice or help given by someone qualified to give such advice or help (often psychological counseling)
Criterion referenced test
child is evaluated according to own performance, not
in comparison to others
DEAF/BLIND
Students with both hearing and vision disabilities.
DEAF/ HARD OF HEARING
Students who have a measurable hearing loss, conductive or sensorineural, in either one or both ears, which limits the normal acquisition of speech and language through the ear. Students with a hearing impairment may require an aural /oral or total communication approach to learning.
Defense mechanism
ways an individual protects himself from emotions that are too uncomfortable
Deficit
a level of performance lower than expected for a child
delusion
the person has an irrational belief that is associated with paranoia
Delusional disorder
This disorder is characterized by the presence of non-bizarre delusions which have persisted for at least one month. Non-bizarre delusions typically are beliefs of something occurring in a person's life which is not out of the realm of possibility. For example, the person may believe their significant other is cheating on them, that someone close to them is about to die, a friend is really a government agent, etc. All of these situations could be true or possible, but the person suffering from this disorder knows them not to be (e.g., through fact-checking, third-person confirmation, etc.). People who have this disorder generally don't experience a marked impairment in their daily functioning in a social, occupational or other important setting. Outward behavior is not noticeably bizarre or objectively characterized as out-of-the-ordinary. The delusions can not be better accounted for by another disorder, such as schizophrenia, which is also characterized by delusions (which are bizarre). The delusions also cannot be better accounted for by a mood disorder, if the mood disturbances have been relatively brief.
Dependent Personality Disorder
People with dependent personality disorder may exhibit a pattern of dependent and submissive behavior, relying on others to make decisions for them. They require excessive reassurance and advice, and are easily hurt by criticism or disapproval. They feel uncomfortable and helpless if they are alone, and can be devastated when a close relationship ends. They have a strong fear of rejection. Typically lacking in self-confidence, the dependent personality rarely initiates projects or does things independently. This disorder usually begins by early adulthood and is diagnosed more frequently in females than males.
Developmental
having to do with the steps or stages in growth and development before the age of 18 years
Developmental disability
a condition that prevents a child from developing normally and often results in mental retardation or autism
Developmental history
the developmental progress of a child (ages birth to 18 years) in such skills as sitting, walking, talking, or learning
Developmental tests
standardized tests that measure a child's development as it compares to the development of all other children at that age
Developmental Aphasia
A severe language disorder that is presumed to be due to brain injury rather than because of a developmental delay in the normal acquisition of language.
Direct Instruction
An instructional approach to academic subjects that emphasizes the use of carefully sequenced steps that include demonstration, modeling, guided practice, and independent application.
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.
Developmentally delayed
a child who acquires skills after the expected age
Diagnosis
the problem identified after an evaluation
Disability
the result of any physical or mental condition that affects or prevents one's ability to develop, achieve, and/or function in an educational setting at a normal rate
Down's syndrome
a child born with chromosomal abnormalities which often results in mental retardation
Due process (procedure)
action that protects a person's rights; in special education, this applies to action taken to protect the educational rights of students with disabilities
Dyscalculia
a learning disability in which a child is unable to do math problems
Dysfluency
a break in the smooth flow of speech, stuttering
Dysgraphia
a learning disability which impairs the child's ability to write
Dyslexia
learning disability which impairs the child's reading ability
Early interventionist
someone who specializes
in early childhood development, usually having a Master's degree or Ph.D.
in an area related to the development of infants, toddlers, and
preschoolers
Early intervention policies
see policy/policies
early intervention services or programs
programs or services designed to identify and treat a developmental problem as early as possible, before age 3 (services for 3-5 year olds are referred to as preschool services)
Echolalia
the child echoes what ever is spoken
Eligible
able to qualify
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
it measures the output of the brain
EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE ED
Students who exhibit one or more characteristics of a severe emotional disturbance as specified by law and whose condition has existed for a long period of time and to a marked degree. The condition must also adversely affect the student's educational performance. A serious disturbance is to be distinguished from antisocial/socially maladjusted behavior which is not a special education handicapping condition.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE ESL
A program of instruction for speakers of other languages to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English.
Epilepsy
a brain disorder characterized by seizures or convulsions
Equilibrium
balance
Etiology
the cause
Evaluation
(as
applied to children from birth through two years of age) the procedures
used to determine if a child is eligible for early intervention services;
(as applied to preschool and school-aged children) the procedures used to
determine whether a child has a disability and the nature and extent of
the special education and related services the child
needs
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
child may be born with low birth weight, severe retardation and physical problems due to mother drinking alcohol while pregnant
Fine motor
hand and finger small muscle movement
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS ASSESSMENT
An assessment that is designed to assess the communicative intent of a student's challenging behavior/s, the setting and events that predict the behavior (antecedents), and the situation (consequences) that maintain the behavior/s. The assessment must address the student's degree of independence and choice, and include an ecological analysis of the environments where the behavior is occurring. The person who conducts the assessment must be a certificated employee who has documented training in behavior analysis and Positive Behavior Support.
Free appropriate public education [often referred to as FAPE]
one of the key requirements of IDEA, which requires
that an education program be provided for all school-aged children
(regardless of disability) without cost to families; the exact
requirements of "appropriate" are not defined, but other references within
the law imply the most "normal" setting available
Gait pattern
walking pattern
GENERAL EDUCATION or REGULAR EDUCATION
Refers to educational services and environments other than specialized services or environments provided to non-disabled students at regular school sites.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Excessive worries about more than one circumstance characterize this anxiety problem. People with GAD are "bothered" or "worried" most of the time. Many times the worries are unrealistic, such as "What if my son goes to the baseball game today and gets in an accident?" or "What if I lose my job and I become homeless?" All of us think about things like this, but people with GAD fixate on them and can’t get them out of their mind. Generalized anxiety has been termed free-floating because it can come and go at will, without apparent reason. Physical symptoms of GAD include (but are not limited to) bodily tenseness, lump in the throat, trouble falling asleep, dry throat, and difficulty in concentrating. It is very hard for the person with generalized anxiety to just be still and relax. It is also possible that people with current generalized anxiety symptoms have experienced panic attacks in the past, become agoraphobic, and begin to exhibit symptoms typical of generalized anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, without treatment, they continue to remain restricted in their lives and fear or dislike going too far away from home.
Grandmal seizure
severe epileptic seizure which often results in a loss of consciousness
Gross motor
coordinated movements of all body
parts
Handicap
see
disability
HARD OF HEARING
An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, which adversely affects a student's educational performance but which is not included under the definition of deafness.
Hemiplegia
paralysis on one side of the body
Homebound instruction
a teacher provided to students unable to attend school
Hydrocephalus
enlargement of the head resulting from excess cerebral spinal fluid in the brain
Hyperactivity
excessive motor activity or restlessness
Hyperopia
farsightedness-difficulty seeing near objects
Hypertonicity
increased muscle tone
Hypotonicity
decreased muscle tone
Identification
the process of locating and identifying children needing special services
Inclusion
disabled children receive services in their home school and are placed in the same classroom with non-handicapped children
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
a written education plan for a school-aged child with disabilities developed by a team of professionals (teachers, therapists, etc.) and the child's parents; it is reviewed and updated yearly and describes how the child is presently doing, what the child's learning needs are, and what services the child will need; (For children ages birth through 2 years, the IFSP is used.)
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
a written statement for an infant or toddler (ages birth through 2 years old) developed by a team of people who have worked with the child and the family; the IFSP must describe the child's development levels; family information; major outcomes expected to be achieved for the child and family; the services the child will be receiving; when and where the child will receive these services; and the steps to be taken to support the transition of the child to another program; the IFSP will also list the name of the service coordinator assigned to the child and his/her family
INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION
Instruction that is provided on a one-to-one basis to a student by a teacher, paraprofessional or another student acting as a peer tutor, support buddy or the like.
INDIVIDUALIZED TRANSITION PLAN ITP
The ITP must be developed for students beginning at age 14 and updated annually. It includes a statement of the transition service needs of the student, related to the IEP, that focus on the student's course of study (such as participation in advanced placement courses or vocational programs). An ITP must be developed beginning at age 16 (or younger, if appropriate) which provides a statement of needed transition services for the child, including a statement of the interagency responsibilities or any needed linkages, as appropriate.
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT IDEA
This federal special education law, re-authorized in 1997, provides funding to states and sets substantive and procedural requirements for educational agencies. This law re-authorized and expanded discretionary programs, educational benefit, mandated transition services and assistive technology services to be included in the IEP and added autism and traumatic brain injury to the list of eligibility categories, among other items. It was originally titled the Education for All handicapped children Act and enacted as P.L. 94-142.
INFORMAL ASSESSMENT
Procedures such as classroom observation, interviews, portfolios of student work, or teacher- made tests which have not usually been used with large groups of people and which do not necessarily have a standard set of instructions for their use and interpretation. Although an assessment may be informal in these respects, an assessment plan and written parent consent are, nonetheless, required.
INTELLIGENCE TEST
A standardized assessment abilities - how a person thinks, reasons, solves problems, remembers and learns new information.
Interdisciplinary team
various individuals from different disciplines that
assess children's needs
Juvenile diabetes
excessive sugar in the child's blood and urine which
could cause visual impairments, coma, limb amputation, and death if
untreated
Language impairment
difficulty understanding and/or using language
Lead agency
the agency (office) within a state or territory in charge of overseeing and coordinating service systems for children ages birth through 2
Learning disability
a child with average or above average potential has difficulty learning in one or more areas (such as reading or math) and exhibits a severe discrepancy between their ability and achievement
Learning Modalities
Approaches to assessment or instruction stressing the auditory, visual, or tactile avenues for learning that are dependent upon the individual.
Learning Styles
Approaches to assessment or instruction emphasizing the variations in temperament, attitude, and preferred manner of tackling a task. Typically considered are styles along the active/passive, reflective/impulsive, or verbal/spatial dimensions.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
an educational setting or program that provides a student with disabilities with the chance to work and learn to the best of his or her ability; it also provides the student as much contact as possible with children without disabilities, while meeting all of the child's learning needs and physical requirements
Legally blind
a visual field which is not greater than 20 degrees or visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after correction
LIMITED-ENGLISH-PROFICIENT STUDENT LEP
A student identified through formal initial identification process as not having sufficient fluency in English to participate in a mainstream English classroom.
Light perception
ability to detect presence or absence of light
Light projection
ability to tell where light is coming from
Low vision
impaired vision but individual is able to read print
with or without magnification devices
Mainstreaming
some or all of the child's day is spent in a regular classroom
Mental age
the level of intellectual functioning based on the average for children of the same chronological age
Mental retardation
the child's intellectual level is measured below the average range usually below 70 on IQ tests
METHODOLOGY
A technique or process for doing something.
MULTI-CULTURAL EDUCATION
An educational process designed to foster and facilitate an awareness, affirmation and acceptance of cultural diversity.
MULTI-HANDICAPPED MH
Students who have a combination of two or more specific disabilities.
Metacognitive Learning
Instructional approaches emphasizing awareness of the cognitive processes that facilitate one's own learning and its application to academic and work assignments. Typical metacognitive techniques include systematic rehearsal of steps or conscious selection among strategies for completing a task.
Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD)
A medical and psychological term originally used to refer to the learning difficulties that seemed to result from identified or presumed damage to the brain. Reflects a medical, rather than educational or vocational orientation.
Multisensory Learning
An instructional approach that combines auditory, visual, and tactile elements into a learning task. Tracing sandpaper numbers while saying a number fact aloud would be a multisensory learning activity.
Microcephaly
development of a small head with retardation usually occurring
Motor development
the ability to move effectively within the environment
Muscle tone
the amount of tension in the muscles at rest
Multidisciplinary
a team approach involving specialists in more than one discipline, such as a team made up of a physical therapist, a speech and language pathologist, a child development specialist, an occupational therapist, or other specialists as needed
Multiple sclerosis
degeneration of the central nervous system due to a progressive deterioration of the protective sheath surrounding the nerves
Myopia
nearsightedness-blurred vision with distant objects harder to see than near objects
Muscular dystrophy
destroys muscle tissue which leads to a progressive
deterioration of the body
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
People with narcissistic personality have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, are absorbed by fantasies of unlimited success, and seek constant attention. The narcissistic personality is oversensitive to failure and often complains of multiple somatic symptoms. Prone to extreme mood swings between self-admiration and insecurity, these people tend to exploit interpersonal relationships.
Native language
the child's primary language
Neologisms
a child makes up words that only have meaning to them
Neonatal
period between onset of labor and several months after birth
Norm referenced tests
a child's performance is compared to others the same age
Neuropsychological Examination
A series of tasks that allow observation of performance that is presumed to be related to the intactness of brain function.
Nystagmus
jerking of
the eyes that can't be controlled
Object permanence
the child is aware that an object still exists even when it is taken away
Obsessions
a thought or action that a person does over and over again
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
is an anxiety disorder where a person has recurrent and unwanted ideas or impulses (called obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession.
Occupational therapy
a therapy or treatment provided by an occupational therapist that helps individual developmental or physical skills that will aid in daily living; it focuses on sensory integration, on coordination of movement, and on fine motor and self-help skills, such as dressing, eating with a fork and spoon, etc.
Ophthalmologist
a medical doctor that deals with diseases and conditions of the eye
Optometrist
examines eyes and prescribes corrective lenses
ORTHOPEDICALLY HANDICAPPED OH
Students with specific orthopedic or physical needs which adversely affect their educational participation or performance. This term includes but is not limited to: impairments caused by congenital anomaly (clubfoot, absence of limb, etc.) ; impairments caused by disease (poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.); and impairments from other causes (cerebral palsy, amputations and fractures or burns that cause contracture).
OTHER HEALTH IMPAIRED OHI
Students may require special education services who have chronic or acute health conditions resulting in limited strength, vitality or alertness, due to chronic or acute health problems such as heart condition, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, nephritis, asthma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, epilepsy, lead poisoning, leukemia or diabetes which adversely affect a student's educational performance.
Orientation and mobility specialist
a certified teacher specializing in teaching the visually impaired to travel safely and efficiently
Otitis media
middle ear infection
Otolaryngologist
an
ear, nose and throat doctor
Panic attack
symptoms of anxiety with no medical cause such as dizziness, palpitations, nausea etc.
Panic Disorder
Unexpected panic attacks and the fear of having additional attacks characterize this problem. Many times the person does not know why they are having an attack. Sometimes, it seems to come "out of the blue". A panic attack is usually accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness or faintness, increased heart rate, trembling and shaking, hot or cold flushes, and a sense of detachment. Other common symptoms include fear of dying or "going crazy", and the fear of losing control.
Paralysis
complete or partial loss of feeling or movement
Paranoia
the person is extremely suspicious of others
Paranoid Personality Disorder
The essential feature for this type of personality disorder is interpreting the actions of others as deliberately threatening or demeaning. People with paranoid personality disorder are untrusting, unforgiving, and prone to angry or aggressive outbursts without justification because they perceive others as unfaithful, disloyal, condescending or deceitful. This type of person may also be jealous, guarded, secretive, and scheming, and may appear to be emotionally “cold” or excessively serious.
Paraplegia
the lower half of the body is paralyzed
Parent training and information programs
programs that provide information to parents of children with special needs about acquiring services, working with schools and educators to ensure the most effective educational placement for their child, understanding the methods of testing and evaluating a child with special needs, and making informed decisions about their child's special needs
PARENT
Includes person having legal custody such as : natural parents, the custodial parent, legal guardian, or district-appointed surrogate parent of a student.
PARENT ADVOCACY
Parents representing their child in the planning of their education
PEER TUTORING
Students working together with one student acting as a tutor to another student.
PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT or PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The training of staff including workshops, presentations, supervision, mentoring, classes and other means of promoting effective educational programs.
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PH or PHYSICALLY DISABLED PD
Refer to definition for Orthopedic Impairment
POLICY
Refers to a procedure, philosophy or standard which has been formally adopted by the Board of Education and is intended to assist in the governance and provision of programs in the school district.
Partially sighted
individuals have sufficient vision to read print
Perinatal
the period of time at or immediately following birth
Perseveration
repeating an activity to an extreme that it interferes with other activities
Perceptual Handicap
Difficulty in accurately processing, organizing, and discriminating among visual, auditory, or tactile information. A person with a perceptual handicap may say that "cap/cup" sound the same or that "b" and "d" look the same. However, glasses or hearing aids do not necessarily indicate a perceptual handicap.
Pre-referral Process
A procedure in which special and regular teachers develop trial strategies to help a student showing difficulty in learning remain in the regular classroom.
Petit mal seizures
a mild form of epilepsy with momentary lapse of consciousness
Phobia
an irrational fear of something
Physical therapy
treatment of (physical) disabilities given by a trained physical therapist (under doctor's orders) that includes the use of massage, exercise, etc. to help the person improve the use of bones, muscles, joints, and nerves
Placement
the classroom, program, service, and/or therapy that is selected for a student with special needs
Policy/policies
rules and regulations; as related to early intervention and special education programs, the rules that a state or local school system has for providing services for and educating its students with special needs
Postnatal
period of time after birth
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Someone who has been through a traumatic life experience may suffer future anxiety and panic over it. Severe wartime experiences, for example, not only elicit anxiety and stress, they may induce flashbacks and panic attacks. Other post-traumatic conditions include rape or other sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and living through negative natural events, such as a devastating earthquake or hurricane.
Prenatal
period of time before birth
Private agency
a non-public agency which may be receiving public funds to provide services for some children
Private therapist
any professional (therapist, tutor, psychologist, etc.) not connected with the public school system or with a public agency
Program(s)
in special education, a service, placement, and/or therapy designed to help a child with special needs
Prosthesis
artificial device that replaces a missing body part
Psychologist
a specialist in the field of psychology, usually having a Master's degree or Ph.D. in psychology
Psychosis
person has difficulty differentiating between fantasy and reality
Public agency
an agency, office, or organization that is supported by public funds and serves the community at large
Public Law (P.L.) 94-142
a law passed in 1975 requiring that public schools provide a "free appropriate public education" to school-aged children ages 3-21 (exact ages depend on your state's mandate), regardless of disabling condition; also called the Education For All Handicapped Children Act, with recent amendments now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Public Law (P.L.) 102-119
passed in 1991, this is an
amendment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which
requires states and territories to provide a "free appropriate public
education" to all children ages 3-21; and provides funds for states and
territories to plan a comprehensive service system for infants and
toddlers (ages birth through 2 years) with disabilities
Quadriplegia
all limbs are paralyzed
Range of motion
the amount a person is able to move their joints and limbs
READABILITY
Refers to the reading level of written information, such as a form or notice.
RE-EVALUATION
An assessment conducted every three years, or sooner if a parent or teacher requests, for each student receiving special education.
REFERRAL FOR ASSESSMENT
Any written request for assessment, made by a parent, teacher or other service provider, to identify a student with disabilities. Referrals for assessment should be in writing to avoid delay. Where an oral referral for assessment is made, school staff must offer assistance to the individual making the referral to put it in writing.
Receptive language
the understanding of spoken and written communication as well as gestures
Related services
transportation and developmental, corrective, and other support services that a child with disabilities requires in order to benefit from education; examples of related services include: speech pathology and audiology, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, counseling services, interpreters for the hearing impaired, and medical services for diagnostic and evaluation purposes
Resource Program
A program model in which a student with LD is in a regular classroom for most of each day, but also receives regularly scheduled individual services in a specialized LD resource classroom.
Resource room
a room
that serves the children's needs to learn specific skills within the least
restrictive environment for part of the day
SCHIZOPHRENIA
The term schizophrenia was first used in 1911 by Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, to categorize patients whose thought processes and emotional responses seemed disconnected. The term schizophrenia literally means split mind; however, many people still believe incorrectly that the condition causes a split personality (which is an uncommon problem involving dissociation).
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid personalities are introverted, withdrawn, solitary, emotionally cold, and distant. They are often absorbed with their own thoughts and feelings and are fearful of closeness and intimacy with others. For example, a person suffering from schizoid personality is more of a daydreamer than a practical action taker.
Schizoaffective Disorder
Some psychiatric disorders are very difficult to diagnose accurately. One of the most confusing conditions is schizoaffective disorder. This relatively rare disorder is defined as "the presence of psychotic symptoms in the absence of mood changes for at least two weeks in a patient who has a mood disorder." The diagnosis is used when an individual does not fit diagnostic standards for either schizophrenia or "affective" (mood) disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder (manic depression). Some people may have symptoms of both a depressive disorder and schizophrenia at the same time, or they may have symptoms of schizophrenia without mood symptoms.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
A pattern of peculiarities best describes those with schizotypal personality disorder. People may have odd or eccentric manners of speaking or dressing. Strange, outlandish or paranoid beliefs and thoughts are common. People with schizotypal personality disorder have difficulties forming relationships and experience extreme anxiety in social situations. They may react inappropriately or not react at all during a conversation or they may talk to themselves. They also display signs of “magical thinking” by saying they can see into the future or read other people’s minds.
SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973
The first civil rights law that specifically protected the rights of individuals with disabilities. It was amended in 1974 under P.L. 93-516, to cover a broader array of services. The law established rights to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities for nondiscrimination in employment, admission into institutions of higher learning and access to public facilities and programs receiving federal financial assistance, including public education.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVE
Included on the student's IEP as a means of measuring progress toward a goal. It includes a series of intermediate steps or training activities that will take the student from his or her current level of functioning to the accomplishment of annual goals.
SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES SLD
Specific learning disabilities means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations. Eligibility for services requires that there is a severe discrepancy between the intellectual ability and achievements in one or more of the following academic areas: oral or written expression, listening or reading comprehension, basic reading skills, mathematics calculations and reasoning.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE HANDICAP SLH
A communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment or a voice impairment, which adversely affects a student's educational performance.
STUDENT SUCCESS TEAM SST
A school site team comprised of parents, general education and special education teachers and administration who have knowledge of or could be beneficial to a student who has been referred for assistance. The SST may make recommendations for modifications or assistance within general education services, refer for a Section 504 Plan evaluation of for special education services.
SURROGATE PARENT
A person appointed by the District to act as a child's "parent" in all matters relating to special education.
Seizure
a temporary burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain
Self-Advocacy
The development of specific skills and understandings that enable children and adults to explain their specific learning disabilities to others and cope positively with the attitudes of peers, parents, teachers, and employers.
Self contained class
a classroom specifically for special education students
Sensorineural hearing loss
a hearing impairment that is usually permanent results when the inner ear or nerves which carry the sound waves to the brain are damaged
Service coordinator
someone who acts as a coordinator of an infant's or toddler's services, working in partnership with the family and providers of special programs; service coordinators may be employed by the early intervention agency
Services/service delivery
the services (therapies, instruction, treatment) given to a child with special needs
Sign language
using gestures instead of spoken words to communicate
Spasticity
tense contracted muscles usually seen in people with cerebral palsy
Special Education
see special education programs and services
Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia
Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is the constant fear of being criticized or evaluated by other people. People with social phobia are nervous, anxious, and afraid about many social situations. Simply attending a business meeting or going to a company party can be highly nerve-wracking and intimidating. Although people with social anxiety want very much to be social and fit in with everyone else, their anxiety about not performing well in public is strong and tends to cripple their best efforts. They freeze up when they meet new people, especially those who are authority figures. They are particularly afraid that other people will notice that they are anxious -- and this fear permits the anxiety to grow and turn into a vicious cycle. People with social anxiety tend to avoid social situations as a result of the painfulness involved. Most socially-anxious people can remember being called "shy" as a child and can elicit experiences from their past that correlate with the social anxiety they now feel. Social anxiety tends to develop early and, without adequate treatment, is a chronic, unremitting, torturous condition. Today, however, the prognosis is good for overcoming social anxiety disorder altogether.
Special Education Coordinator
the person in charge of special education programs at the school, district, or state level
Special Education Programs/Services
programs, services, or specially designed instruction (offered at no cost to families) for children over 3 years old with special needs who are found eligible for such services; these include special learning methods or materials in the regular classroom, and special classes and programs if the learning or physical problems indicate this type of program
Special needs
(as in "special needs" child) - a term to describe a child who has disabilities or who is at risk of developing disabilities and who, therefore, requires special services or treatment in order to progress
Specific Phobia ( formerly Simple Phobia )
is a fear, without apparent justification of a specific place, thing, or situation. ( E.g., fear of blood, fear of crowds, fear of dogs, fear of enclosed places, fear of heights, fear of mice / rats, fear of snakes ) Multiple specific phobias can be common.
Speech/Language Pathologist
a person qualified to diagnose and treat speech and language disorders
Speech/Language Pathology
a planned program to improve and/or correct communication problems
Spinal bifida
child is born with an open vertebrae in the spinal column
Stuttering
disturbance in the fluency of speech
Strabismus
crossed eyes
Tactile defensiveness
child overreacts or avoids any kind of touch
TRANSITION
This term refers to the passage from one program, setting or environment to another. In special education, it may include: passage from elementary to middle school programs, movement from a special day class setting to a general education setting, graduation from a high school program into a work environment or other significant changes for a student.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY TBI
Traumatic brain injury is an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical event resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment that adversely affects a student's educational performance. It may include: open or closed head injuries resulting in impairment in one or more areas such as cognition, speech, judgment, problem solving, perceptual and motor abilities, sensory, psychosocial behavior, physical functions and information processing.
Tremor
consistent and uncontrolled movements usually seen in people with cerebral palsy
Total communication
educating deaf students
with a combination of speech and sign language
Vision specialist
a certified teacher who specializes in meeting the needs of children with visual impairment
Visual discrimination
ability to detect differences in objects, forms, letters or words
Visual impairment
eyesight which cannot be corrected to normal
Visual memory
the ability to remember visual stimuli by significant features on a short and long term basis
Vocal abuse
screaming, yelling or
overuse of the vocal folds
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