SPED 3001 Vocab Terms

LRE

The requirement that students with disabilities need to be placed in their least restrictive environment according to their needs.

FAPE

Every child is entitled to free appropriate public education not just everything you want but enough to keep them growing, improving

Developmental Delay

Category of Tennessee’s IDEA for 3-9 year olds who have something without a label/category. A lag in developmental milestones

Applied Behavior Analysis

A therapy based on the science of learning and behavior, used to increase helpful behaviors and decrease harmful ones, particularly in individuals with autism and related developmental disorder

Accommodation

Adjustments made to teaching methods or assessments to support students' learning needs. Does not modify learning

Assistive Technology

Any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.

ADHD

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

AAC means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Augmentative means to add to someone's speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech.

Autism

A developmental condition characterized by differences in how people interact, communicate, and learn, often involving challenges with social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behaviors or interests.

 Executive Functioning

Cognitive processes for planning, focusing, remembering, and managing tasks.

Occupational Therapy

A branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems.

 Perseveration

Persistent and often repetitive behaviors, thoughts, or interests that an individual may struggle to disengage from, even when the stimulus or activity has ended.

Physical Therapy

It addresses challenges related to movement and sensory processing, ultimately helping individuals participate more fully in daily activities and social interactions.

Theory of Mind

Ability to reason about what other people know or believe

 Behavior Intervention Plan

A plan that outlines strategies to improve specific behaviors in students.

 Braille

A tactile writing system used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Cochlear Implant

A tactile writing system used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Deaf Blindness

A condition in which an individual has both hearing and visual impairments.

 Differentiated Instruction

An educational approach that tailors teaching methods and resources to meet individual student needs.

Discrepancy Model

A method used to identify learning disabilities by comparing a student's academic performance to their potential.

 Dyscalculia

A specific learning disability that affects a person's ability to understand number sense and perform mathematical calculations.

Dysgraphia

A specific learning disability that affects writing abilities, including handwriting and composition.

Dyslexia

A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills.

Emotional Disturbance

A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance:
(A) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.(B) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.(C) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances. (D) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
(E) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

Functional Behavioral Analysis

 A set of cognitive processes that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Hearing Impairment

A partial or total inability to hear.

 Identity First Language

A way of referring to individuals that emphasizes their disability as part of their identity.

 Inclusion

The practice of educating students with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers.

Individualized Education Plan

A written plan that outlines special education services and needs for a student with a disability

Modifications

Changes made to the curriculum or instruction to accommodate a student's learning needs.

Multisensory Instruction

An instructional approach that engages multiple senses to enhance learning.

Orthopedic Impairment

A physical disability that affects a person's ability to move or use their limbs.

Other Health Impairment

A category of disability that includes conditions such as ADHD or epilepsy that limit a child's strength, vitality, or alertness.

Person First Language

A way of referring to individuals that emphasizes the person before their disability.

 Postlingual Hearing Loss

Hearing loss that occurs after the acquisition of language. 

Prelingual Hearing Loss

Hearing loss that occurs before the acquisition of language.

Progress Monitoring

The process of tracking student progress to inform instruction and interventions.

RTI

An educational approach that provides early, systematic assistance to children who are struggling. Not a special education service.

Section 504

A plan that outlines accommodations and services for students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Self Regulation

The ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.

 Sensory Sensitivities

Heightened sensitivity to sensory input, such as sounds, lights, or textures.

Sign Language

A visual language that uses hand signs and gestures to communicate.

Social Skills Training

A program designed to teach individuals how to interact appropriately with others.

 Social Emotional Learning

The process of developing the skills to manage emotions, set goals, show empathy, and maintain relationships.

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

A disorder that affects the ability to understand or use spoken or written language. Persistent difficulties in one or more areas of academic achievement.

Speech Language Therapy

A service that improves communication skills, swallowing safety and function, and tackles a wide range of speech and language challenges. 

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An injury to the brain caused by an external force that results in cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.

Twice Exceptional

Referring to students who are both gifted and have a disability.

Universal Design for Learning

An educational framework that promotes flexible learning environments to accommodate individual learning differences.

 Visual Impairment

A condition that affects a person's ability to see, which may include blindness or partial sight.