AAC – Assistive Augmentative Communication. A speech-language therapists’ term for communication using a picture board or recorded messages activated by buttons

ABA – Applied Behavioural Analysis. Acronym in common use by adherents of some behavioural techniques to refer to a kind of careful analysis and tracking of behaviour including its cues and consequences.

ABC – Autism Behaviour Checklist or used to describe the Antecedent Behaviour Consequence behaviour recording method

ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (or Schedule). An assessment tool used to diagnose ASD.

AoN – Assessment of Need. Any child born after June 1st 2002 is eligible to apply for an assessment under the Disability Act 2005 regardless of their age at the time of application.

APD – Auditory Processing Disorder, sometimes referred to as CAPD, Central Auditory Processing Disorder. 

AS – Aspergers Syndrome

ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder

AT – Assistive Technology. An umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them.

CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

CAPD – Central Auditory Processing Disorder, see APD above. 

DA – Developmental Age

DCA – Domicilliary Care Allowance. A monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.

DCD – Development Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)

DoES – Dept of Education & Skills

DO – Deciding Officer

DSM -The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the United States.

DSP – Department of Social Protection

DX – Diagnosis

ECCE – Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme

EP – Educational Psychologist

EI – Early Intervention

EPSEN – Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004

GDD – Global Development Delay

GLD – General Learning Disability

HFA – High-Functioning Autism

HSE – Health Service Executive

ICD-10 – International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), a medical classification list by the World Health Organisation (WHO)

ID – Intellectual disability

IEP – Individual Education Plan

LD – Learning disability

M-Chat – Modified checklist for ASD in toddlers

MGLD – Mild General Learning Disability

MLD – Moderate Learning Disability

NCSE – National Council for Special Education

NEPS – National Education Psychological Service

NT – Neuro-typical is a term used to describe a person who does not have Autism Spectrum Disorder.

NVLD – Non Verbal Learning Disorder

OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder

OT – Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapist

PA – Preschool Assistant

PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System (an AAC)

PDD – Pervasive Development Disorder

PDD-NOS – Pervasive Development Disorder – not otherwise specified.

Perseveration – obsessive-like continued immediate repetition of a behaviour

Pica – ingestion of non-food items

PT – Physiotherapist

SEN – Special Education Needs

SENO – Special Needs Education Organiser, works for NCSE

SESS – Special Education Support Service

SI – Sensory Integration

SID – Sensory Integration Disorder, sometimes called SPD, Sensory Processing Disorder. 

SIB – Self-Injurious Behaviour

SLT – Speech & Language Therapy or Speech & Language Therapist

SN – Special Needs

SNA – Special Needs Assistant

SPD – Sensory Processing Disorder, see SID above. 

SPED – Special Education

Stim – short for ‘self-stimulation’, a term for behaviours whose sole purpose is to stimulate ones own senses e.g. rocking ones body. Many people with ASD report that stims serve a regulatory function for them e.g. calming effect, assist with concentration

TEACCH – ‘Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children’. The primary aim of TEACCH is to help to prepare people with autism to live or work more effectively at home, at school and in the community.

ToM – Theory of Mind is the ability to attribute mental states — beliefs, intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc. — to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one’s own.