Acronym & Terminology Guide
A warm, plain-language guide to the most common terms you’ll hear in the neurodivergent, school, and disability-services world.
Because let’s be real — this space comes with a lot of acronyms. Here’s a gentle resource to help make the language feel a little more human and a lot less overwhelming.
Neurodiversity Terms
Neurospicy:
A playful way some describe a brain that works differently from the typical. Not clinical — just human.
Neurodiverse:
Used for groups of people whose brains work in different ways.
Neurodivergent:
Used for an individual whose brain processes, senses, learns, or communicates differently from the typical.
Inclusion:
Creating environments where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to participate.
Sensory + Developmental Terms
Sensory Seeking:
When a person needs more movement, sound, pressure, or other input to feel regulated.
Proprioception:
Your “body awareness” sense — knowing where your limbs are, how much force to use, and how your body is positioned.
Vestibular Input:
Movement input (swinging, spinning, rocking) that helps with balance and regulation.
Crossing Midline:
Using one side of the body across the center of the body — important for motor skills, handwriting, and daily coordination.
Therapy + Support Approaches
Child-Led:
Letting the child guide the play, pace, and activities — reducing pressure and increasing joy.
Play-Based:
Using play as the natural pathway to connection, communication, and learning.
Strengths-Based:
Starting with what a child can do and building from those strengths.
PT: Physical Therapy
OT: Occupational Therapy
SLP: Speech-Language Pathologist
Communication
AAC — Augmentative & Alternative Communication:
Any tool or method that supports communication beyond spoken words — devices, picture boards, apps, etc.
School-Based Acronyms
IEP — Individualized Education Program:
The legally binding plan outlining a child’s special education supports.
504 Plan:
A plan for accommodations (access needs) under Section 504.
FAPE — Free and Appropriate Public Education:
Every child’s right to an education that meets their needs.
EI — Early Intervention:
Supports and therapies for children birth–3.
CPSE — Committee on Preschool Special Education:
Oversees services for ages 3–5.
CSE — Committee on Special Education:
Oversees school-age services (5–21).
LRE — Least Restrictive Environment:
Students must learn with peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
SEIT — Special Education Itinerant Teacher:
A preschool special education teacher who supports children in their learning environment.
ESY — Extended School Year:
Summer services for children who need them to maintain skills.
IEE — Independent Educational Evaluation:
An evaluation by a provider outside the school district.
PWN — Prior Written Notice:
A required notice explaining any changes or decisions about services.
NY State Disability Services (OPWDD)
OPWDD — Office for People With Developmental Disabilities:
New York’s system for supporting people with developmental disabilities across the lifespan.
DDRO — Developmental Disabilities Regional Office:
The regional offices that help coordinate OPWDD services.
Respite:
Short-term care that gives caregivers a break. Respite can look like a trusted provider spending time with your child at home or in the community so you can rest, run errands, or simply recharge. It’s support for the caregiver and the child — everyone gets a breather.
FSS — Family Support Services:
Programs that support caregivers — respite, grants, parent workshops, etc. If your child is enrolled in OPWDD you are eligible for FSS.
HCBS Waiver— Home & Community-Based Services Waiver:
The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver is the Medicaid program that provides services for adults and children with developmental disabilities in their own home and community.
CCO — Care Coordination Organization:
Agencies that provide Care Managers who help families navigate OPWDD services. Currently in New York, you can only have a Care Manager if you are approved for the HBCS (Medicaid) Waiver.
Self-Direction:
A program allowing individuals/families to choose how their OPWDD budget is used — staff, classes, community activities, memberships, and more. You must have the HCBS Waiver in order to enroll in Self-Direction.
