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Definitions

DEFINITIONS
Accessible Modified or designed so that persons with limited mobility (in wheelchairs or with crutches, for example) can move into and around the structure or building
Achievement Test A test that measures progress in school subject areas such as reading, spelling, and math.   Examples of this type of test are the WIAT and WJ-III
Adapted Changed, altered, or adjusted to meet a student's unique needs (e.g., curriculum, materials, equipment, toys, activities, classroom environment, etc.)
Adapted Physical Education Physical education designed to be safe and successful for students with disabilities; ideally taught by a certified adapted physical education teacher
Adaptive Behavior How a person fits in socially and emotionally with other people of similar age and cultural background and in a variety of situations
Advocacy A program or situation in which agencies or individuals speak or act on behalf of the interests of themselves or other individuals or groups
Advocate A person knowledgeable about special education issues and procedures who takes action to help a parent; an advocate can be another parent of a child with disabilities
Aid An assistive or corrective devices, such as a hearing aid
Aide See paraeducator
Annual Goals These describe the education performance to be achieved by a student by the end of the school year
Aptitude Test A test to measure an individual's ability to learn in a particular area such as music, mechanics, etc.
Article 7 Rules and regulations for special education services in Indiana
Assessment The process of testing and observing the child in order to understand the nature, personality, learning style, and abilities of the child to help make decisions about the kind of educational programming required
Assistive Technology Services Any service that helps an individual with a disability choose, buy, or learn to use an assistive technology device
Assistive Technology Device Any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve abilities of individuals with disabilities.
Audiologist A specialist who has studied the science of hearing and is concerned with studying the nature of hearing, preventing hearing loss, administering hearing tests to detect possible hearing loss, and giving information to people about hearing aids, training programs or medical treatment
Auditory Association The ability to relate concepts presented orally (i.e., "If a ball is round, a block is _____?").
Auditory Closure The ability to fill in the missing parts that are left out of an auditory presentation (i.e., "banan___").
Auditory Perception The ability to receive sounds accurately and to understand what they mean when combined into words.
Auditory Sequential Memory The ability to remember what one hears in the specific order or sequence it was presented, which may affect a person's ability to follow oral directions.
Augmentative Communication An additional or alternative means of communication (i.e., verbal communication paired with sign language, communication book/board, computer with voice synthesizer, etc.).
Baseline Data Written documentation regarding the strength or level (rate, duration, latency) of a target behavior(s).   Baseline data is taken before a behavior plan can be developed.
Behavior Management/Modification A method for changing specific human behaviors that emphasizes regular encouragement or discouragement of behaviors that can be seen, and   for observing what happens before and after the behavior.
Behavior Plan A written, agreed upon method of dealing with a student's behavior.   A behavior plan delineates specific strategies intended to decrease inappropriate behavior by increasing the occurrence of appropriate behavior.
Behavior Specialist A person trained in behavior management and behavior guidance strategies.
Bilingual Education An instructional model which involves the use of two languages (one of which is English) as media if instruction.   The speaker's native language is used to teach concepts and linguistic skills and to broaden the individual's abilities, while gradually introducing a second language.   Its goal is to prevent academic delay in the natural cognitive development sequence while the individual is learning in the host country and to foster self-esteem as well as pride in both cultures.
Case Conference The meeting held to discuss evaluation results, determine if there is a need of special education services, and plan for the student's educational future by developing the IEP.
Case Management Activities carried out by a case manager that may include coordination and assistance to families or individuals to gain access to appropriate services.   The term "service coordination" may be used in place of the term "case management."
Cerebral Palsy A condition involving disabilities in movement and posture as a result of damage to the brain before or during birth or in infancy.
Change in Placement Change of program, change of label, expulsion from school.
Chronic Continuing over a long periods of time; recurring frequently.
Chronological Age A person's actual age by the calendar, usually given by year and month, such as CA=6.7 (6 years, 7 months).
Cognition The act or process of knowing; the various thinking skills and processes are considered cognitive skills.
Communication The ability to make understood wants and needs using verbal language, sign language, gestures, facial expression(s), computers, or a combination of methods.
Community-Based Programs Programs for individuals with disabilities that are located within the individual's community.
Complainable Issue An issue arising from a violation or suspected violation of Article 7, e.g., school denying related services for a student.
Complaint The action taken to notify the state education agency that there is a suspected violation of special education regulations.   A complaint triggers an investigation of the suspected problem.
Conceptual Disorder A disturbance in the thinking process and in cognitive activities or a disturbance in the ability to form concepts.
Confidentiality Refers to being careful and using good judgment in reporting only the information that is relevant about the child when disclosing personal information to school personnel, social workers, friends, etc.
Congenital A condition existing from birth.
Consent Refers to being fully informed and agreeing to a proposed plan of educational evaluation and/or placement.   Parental consent in education has three basic parts: 1) the parent is fully informed; 2) the parent agrees in writing; and 3) consent is given voluntarily.
Continuum A series of options.
Contracted Services purchased or contracted from a person or agency outside the public school (e.g., psychological, therapy, transportation services, etc.).
Designee One acting on behalf of; the representative of the school or special education department (the case conference coordinator may be the designee of the director of special education; the director of special education may be the designee of the superintendent).
Development Stages of growth from infancy through childhood; observable in sequential steps (i.e., rolling over, sitting up, standing, walking, talking, etc.).   Development is generally measured in the following areas: fine-motor, gross-motor, cognitive, self-help, social/emotional, and language (expressive and receptive).
Developmental Delay A measurable delay means that a significant difference exists between the child's age-expected level of development (adjusted for prematurity, if applicable) and the child's current level of functioning.
Developmental Disability A severe, chronic disability of a person which is a result of a mental or physical impairment or combination of a mental or physical impairment which appears before the person is 22 years of age, which is likely to continue throughout that person's lifetime and which substantially limits that person's ability to function in 3 or more major life activities.
Developmental History The recorded developmental process of a child (ages birth to 18 years) in such skills as sitting, walking, or talking.
Diagnostic Services The services necessary to identify the presence of a disability, its causes and complications, and to determine the extent to which the disability is likely to limit the individual's daily living and working activity.
Diagnostic Tests Assessments and evaluations used to find specific strengths and weaknesses in a developmental learning skill or academic subjects.
Direct Therapy Therapy services (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy) provided directly to a student by a therapist, typically in an isolated or clinical setting.
Directionality The relationship of an object or point in space to another object in space.   Difficulty in this developmental skills may result in left-right confusion in reading and writing.
Distractibility Attention that moves rapidly from one thing to another giving unusual, fleeting attention to trivial sights and sounds and having very little ability to concentrate.
Down Syndrome A developmental disability, one of the most common causes of mental retardation, caused by specific chromosomal abnormalities.
Due Process A legal term that assures that persons with disabilities have the right to challenge any decision made on their behalf.
Durable Medical Equipment Such as wheelchairs, braces, etc.
Dysfunction Poor or impaired ability to perform or function in a particular way, usually as a result of delayed development.
Early Intervention Programs and services provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities during the years of most rapid growth and development, the years from birth through age 3.
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Mandatory Medicaid health benefits and services for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents.   Designed to ensure children's access to early and comprehensive preventive care and treatment.   The state Medicaid agency is required to pay for and make sure that providers deliver EPSDT services.
Educational Evaluation The procedures used to determine whether a child has an educational disability and the nature and extent of special education and related services the child needs.
Educational Records Records directly related to a student and maintained by a public agency or by a party acting for the public agency.   The term does not include the records of instructional, supervisory, administrative, or ancillary personnel which remain in the sole possession of the maker of the record and are not accessible to or revealed to any other person.   The term does include test protocols and individualized education programs.
Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP): A person who has received training and acquired the knowledge and skills to substitute for a natural parent when a student's parent or guardian is not known or when the student is a ward of the Division of Family and Children.   The function of the educational surrogate parent is to serve as an advocate and represent the student's educational needs and interests in the special education process in place of the natural parent(s).
Eligible Able to qualify; meeting certain requirements.
Epilepsy A condition characterized by symptoms such as recurrent sudden and intense disturbances in the activity of the central nervous system (i.e., a seizure).
Evaluation The process of collecting and interpreting information about a child.   An evaluation consists of a variety of tests, observations, and background information, and is done by a group of qualified people called a "Multidisciplinary Team."
Exclusion Removing or excluding a student with disabilities from school programs or activities (e.g., the denial of recess, time out, removal from classroom, etc.).
Expressive Language Skills required to produce language for communication with other individuals.   Speaking and writing are expressive language skills.   Sign language is also considered an expressive language skill.
Expulsion Discharge or removal from school.
Extended School Year Special education and related services provided to a student for a period of time exceeding the regular school calendar that the case conference committee determines necessary in order for the student to receive a free and appropriate education.
Family Assessment The ongoing process used to identify the family's strengths and needs related to the development of the child (used specifically in Early Intervention programs in developing individualized family service plans).
Figure-ground (auditory) The ability to listen (focus auditorially) to specific sounds when there is a lot of background noise and to ignore background noise, e.g., in the classroom.
Figure-ground (visual) The ability to see (focus visually) specific forms or figures of a visual field and ignore background forms and figures to find a picture or hidden figure, for example.
Fine-motor Coordination (hand-eye) Purposeful, coordinated movements of the hand and eye to achieve specific movements, such as writing, sorting, sewing, etc.
Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) An educational program designed to meet the individual needs of a student with a disability at no cost to the parent or child, provided by or through the public schools
Functional Assessment Used to measure ability, competence, or preference.
Functional-Based Curriculum Skills taught that are considered to be life skills (i.e., feeding, dressing, reading sight words, etc.); learning skills needed to function in school, the home, or in the community.
Functional Living Assessment Skills, interests, and values related to functioning in the home and community.
Gestational Age The amount of time the unborn infant has been carried in the mother's womb.
Goal The level of ability accepted as reasonable and/or desirable for a specific student at a specific time; the "end result" expected at a certain point in time, e.g., the student will be able to write his name by the end of the first semester.
Gross-motor Coordination (leg/arm) Movement that involves balance, coordination, and large muscle activity as needed for walking, running, skipping, jumping, and other physical activities.
Guardian One entrusted by law with the person or property, or both, of another as for minor or some other person legally incapable of managing his own affairs.
Habilitation Services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities to assist them in achieving the highest level of independence.
Hearable Issue An issue relating to the initiation, the change, or the denial of identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a child.
Hyperactivity Overactive, either in unplanned or planned body activities, e.g., child is in constant state of motion.
Hypoactivity Lethargy or extreme lack of movement, e.g., the opposite of hyperactivity.
Impairment A disability (e.g., hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical impairment, etc.); physical weakness or damage; a functional problem.
Impartial Hearing Officer A fair, unbiased person appointed by the state to preside over a due process hearing.
Impulsive Acting (on impulse) without thought or consideration of the outcome or consequences of an action.
Inclusion Strategies and processes that educators, therapists, principals, families, and students use to include students/classmates with disabilities in general education classes and activities and in society as a whole.
Independent Evaluation An evaluation conducted by a qualified agency or individual who is not employed by or under contract with the public school system.
Independent Living Carrying on day-to-day loving functions wither with personal attendant care services or without direct supervision.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) The written education plan for the student in special education with goals and objectives to be achieved.   Each student has his/her own IEP.
Individualized Family Service Plan A written plan developed jointly by the family and professionals providing early intervention services.   The IFSP is based on a multidisciplinary evaluation and assessment of the child and family and includes services necessary to enhance the development of the child and the capacity of the family in meeting the needs of the eligible child.   The IFSP must include information about the child; family information with concurrence of the family; outcomes; early intervention services; other services, dates and duration of services; the service coordinator; and steps to be taken to support transition at age three (3).
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B A federal law governing special education for students with disabilities age three (3) through twenty-one (21).   IDEA is enforced by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C The section under IDEA requiring states to develop comprehensive, coordinated, interagency multidisciplinary systems of services to eligible infants and toddlers from birth to age three (3) and their families..
Instructional Day A day that school is in session (not counting holidays, breaks, in-service days, etc.).
Intelligence Quotient A measurement of thinking (cognitive) ability for comparing an individual with others in the same group.
Interdisciplinary Team An educational planning team comprising related service professionals, parents, teachers, or significant others to develop a student's individualized program.   Each team member compiles individual assessments within his/her discipline and shares recommendations to plan a comprehensive intervention plan.
Job Cluster Related occupations based on similar job requirements.
Job Coach Provides individualized 1-to-1 assistance in job placement, travel training, skills training at the job site, ongoing assessment, and long-term assessment.
Job Shadowing Where an individual observes a worker doing a particular job to better understand and gain information about that hob.
Learning Style The way in which an individual learns new material.   Learning style is usually defined in terms of the sensory modalities (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic).
Least Restrictive Environment One of the principles of normalization, it requires that people with disabilities receive services and support in environments that do not limit their life activities unnecessarily.   For example, students with disabilities should be educated in ways that meet their needs and least limit their opportunities to be near and interact with other students.
Life Skills Assessment A person's ability to successfully cope in a number of areas.
Long-Term Goal Annual goal; a goal or skill expected to be mastered within a twelve (12) month period.
Manifestation Determination A process whereby a determination is made by a case conference committee, following review of all relevant data, whether a student's behavior is caused by or is a manifestation of the student's disability.
Measurable Goal/Objective A statement of what a person will be able to do in terms that can be documented (e.g., "John will be able to write the first ten spelling words correctly in 5 minutes.", etc.).
Mediation A formal intervention process between parents and school systems to resolve disputes regarding special education.
Medicaid A health assistance program to help pay for medical bills for income qualified, aged, disabled, or blind individuals.
Medicaid Waiver A program making funds available for home and community-based services as an alternative to institutional care.
Medicare A federal health insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration to help pay for medical bills for individuals over 65 years of age, regardless if income.   Persons with disabilities may be eligible if they have received SSDI benefits for a minimum of two (2) years.
Mental Age Refers to the score a student receives on an intelligence test; it compares his/her score to those of other children of the same chronological age given the same test.
Modality The pathways through which an individual receives information and learns.   These may be auditory, visual, tactile, kinesthetic (listening, seeing, touching, etc.).
Modification Changes or adaptations in curriculum, materials, and/or activities to accommodate the needs of a child with disabilities.
Multi-sensory Approach The use of many modalities at the same time in teaching.
Multicategorical Refers to a classroom or program designed to accommodate children with various disabilities.
Multidisciplinary Team (M-Team) The people who gather information through the assessment and evaluation process who are trained in a variety of disciplines.   Parents are a part of this team.
Natural Supports The use of co-workers, employers, and other naturally occurring sources of assistance to help an individual in an integrated, community-based employment setting.
Neurologist Medical doctor who specializes in diseases of the nervous system.
Norm-Referenced Test A test which compares a learner's performance to the average performance.
Objectives Small, measurable steps of learning which help a student reach a goal (e.g., learning to hold a pencil before learning to write).
Occupational Therapy Services provided by, or under the supervision of, an occupational therapist to evaluate and train a person to use gross and fine-motor skills, self-care skills, and use sensory and perceptual motor integration with the intent of strengthening the person's ability to function as independently as possible.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.   The OCR is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.
Paraeducator An individual who works under the supervision or direction of licensed teachers or related services personnel to assist in areas which relate to personal, social, and instructional needs.   The term includes, but is not limited to, instructional or program assistants, school bus monitors, interpreters, notetakers, and job coaches.
Percentile A score which compares one student's performance with others taking the same test (e.g., if a child scores in the 80th percentile, it means that 80% of all children taking that test scored below that level and 20% scored higher).
Perception The process of organizing or interpreting information received through the senses, such as auditory or visual thoughts, ideas, or impressions.
Perceptual-motor A term describing the use of various channels of perception with motor activity or movement.   Channels of perception include visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic (seeing, hearing, touching).
Permanent File Educational records maintained by the special education department of each student receiving special education services.
Personally Identifiable Information Refers to information by which it is possible to identify a student with reasonable certainty, such as 1) the name of a student, a student's parent or any other family member; 2) the address of a student; 3) a personal identifier such as a student's social security number; and 4) a list of personal characteristics including disability designation.
Physical Therapy Services provided by, or under the supervision of, a physical therapist to evaluate individual development levels, functional abilities, reflex levels, range of motion, muscle strengths, perceptual motor levels, and respiratory function, and provide therapy in identified areas of need.
Placement The services and classes determined by the case conference committee to provide the most appropriate program for the student.
Positioning Specific techniques for aligning the parts of the body to promote improved functions for gross and fine-motor activities.
Procedural Safeguards Provisions insuring that the parent' and student's rights are not denied.
Psychiatrist Medical doctor who specializes in mental illness.   They counsel patients, diagnose mental illness, and prescribe drugs.
Psychologist A person trained in dealing with the study of mental processes and human behavior (not to be confused with a psychiatrist who is a medical doctor).
Reevaluation Testing or evaluating a student again; the school is required to reevaluate a student at least every three (3) years.
Receptive Language The ability to understand language that is spoken or written by others.   Receptive language skills include listening, reading, and understanding sign language.
Referral The process of directing a person to another person or service agency that can provide needed services.   Referral is also the term used to start the educational evaluation process.
Rehabilitation The process of helping a person who has a disability learn or relearn the skills needed for daily living and work activities.
Rehabilitation Counselor A professional who helps individuals deal with the personal, social, and vocational impact of their disabilities.
Related Services Developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education.
School to Work Opportunities Act A law jointly administered by the Departments of Education and Labor meant to bring together partnership of employers and education to build a system that prepares young people for careers in high-skill, high-wage jobs.
Self-Concept A person's ideas and feelings about himself/herself.
Sensorimotor Relating to both senses and movement and the combination of the input of sensations and the output of motor activity.
Sensory Integration The neurological principle that sensory input (i.e., taste, touch, smell, etc.) is organized in a meaningful way by the brain.   An occupational therapist may be of assistance in identifying sensory integration deficits and providing interventions.
Sequencing The ability to put things in the correct order.   Sequential memory is the ability to remember, in order, what has been heard, seen, or read.
Service Coordination Activities carried out by a service coordinator that may include management and assistance to families or individuals to gain access to appropriate services.   The term "case management" may be used in place of the term "service coordination."
Sheltered Workshop Provides transitional and/or long-term employment and training in a controlled, closed, and segregated working environment.   The agency operating a sheltered workshop may also provide vocational evaluation, work adjustment, and supported employment services.
Situational Assessment Assessments that take place in a controlled or semi-controlled work environment in order to evaluate work-related skills and behaviors.
Social Perception The ability to understand the meaning of behaviors in situations and appropriately relate such understanding to one's own behavior.
Social Worker A person from a service agency involved with helping an individual and/or family in dealing with specific problems and needs, i.e., social, emotional, financial, etc.
Spatial Orientation The ability to organize space in terms of the individual relating his physical self to the environment with reference to distance, size, position, and direction.
Special Education Instruction designed to specifically address the needs of a person with a disability.
Speech/Language Therapy   The process of correcting speech and/or language problems or working to improve a person's ability to use speech or language.
Standardized Test Any one of a variety of tests given to a student or group of students using uniform conditions, with the same instructions, time limits, etc.
Supported Employment Paid employment in community settings for persons with severe disabilities who need ongoing support to perform their work.   Support can include on-the-job training, transportation, or supervision.
Systems Point of Entry The central point, location, office, or agency that is responsible for ensuring that all referrals of children under the age of three (3) and their families receive a timely response to their requests and that the various functions are conducted with families in a prompt, professional, and family-centered manner.
Tactile Perception The ability to interpret and give meaning to sensory stimuli that are experienced through the sense of touch.
Task Analysis The breakdown of a particular job into its component work activities.
Test Protocol Written instructions on how a test must be administered and graded.
Total Communication The combined use of finger spelling, sign language, speech and lip reading to communicate with persons who have a hearing impairment or other disabilities.
Transition Describes the period between preschool and school, school and adult services, or any other period where careful planning is needed to ensure the smooth transfer of records and information and the continuity of programming from one setting to another.
Visual Discrimination The ability to recognize small differences between similar and slightly differences forms or shapes as in alphabet letters "p," "g," "q," "b," and "d."
Visual-Motor Coordination The ability to coordinate vision with the movements of the body or parts of the body.
Visual Perception The identification, organization, and interpretation of stimuli received by the individual through vision/eyesight.
Visual Recognition The ability to gain meaning from visual stimuli.
Vocational Education An educational program which provide training in daily living skills, occupational skills for paid or unpaid employment, and/or career preparation for students in post-secondary programs.
Vocational Training Acquisition of job-specific skills in preparation for competitive employment.
Written Opinion A brief written statement that may be attached to an IEP explaining an option or belief about the nature of services to be provided.   A written opinion may express agreement or disagreement with a specific decision of the case conference committee as written into or omitted from the IEP.   Any member of the case conference may submit a written opinion.