The Language of Special Education

Quick thoughts on a Thursday:

A client recently asked me to go over the “amazing acronyms” in Special Education.  I must admit, I often forget that school professionals have a unique language, which makes little sense in the real world. Here is a quick primer for those who may have wondered, “What in the world are they talking about?!”:

• SPED – Special Education
  1. IEP – Individualized Education Program –
     • The plan for a student’s disability in SPED
  2. Common Types of IEPs
     • ID/CD – Intellectual Disability/Cognitive Disability
     • LD – Learning Disability
     • OHI – Other Health Impairment
     • SED – Serious Emotional Disability
     • SLD – Specific Learning Disability
     • TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury

• Common Types of Diagnoses in Evaluation
  1. ADHD – Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  2. ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder
  3. Dyslexia – Reading Disability
  4. Dyscalculia – Math Disability
  5. Dysgraphia – Writing Disability

• GenEd – General Education
  1. 504 or 504 Plan –
     • The plan for a student’s disability in GenEd
  2. CDE – Colorado Department of Education
  3. CMAS/PARCC
     • Once-yearly Spring testing for grades 3-12
  4. MAPS/I-READY/I-STATION/DIBELS
     • Tests for grade-level results in reading and math
  5. MTSS – Multi-Tiered System of Supports
     • Interventions that take place over 6-9 weeks

More resources can be found at the CDE website, https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped.  For 504’s, a good resource is: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html.  I will keep adding to the Special Education list in the future!