Definitions and acronyms

ABA (or Lovaas)
Applied Behavior Analysis is a sytematic and intensive teaching program where lessons are broken down into their simplest parts. Lessons are repeated until the student masters the concepts. Correct responses are prompted and rewarded. Incorrect responses are ignored. Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas, a professor of psychology at UCLA, pioneered the ABA method and documented its success.

ASA
Autism Society of America.

ASD
Autism Spectrum Disorders including autism, Asperger's syndrome and pervasive development disorder.

ASNC
Autism Society of North Carolina

Asperger's Syndrome or HFA (High Functioning Autism) (DSM-IV Criteria)
A neurological or bilogical brain disorder that impairs social interaction. Those with Asperger's syndrome exhibit obsessive behaviors and interests. Although individuals with Asperger's show no clinically significant general delay in language, they struggle with communication pragmatics. They test in the low-average to high-average (sometimes very high) IQ range.

Autism (DSM-IV Criteria)
A neurological or biological brain disorder that impairs social interaction, as well as language and cognitve development. Individuals with autism exhibit symptoms prior to age 3 years. They exhibit rigid behaviors and interests.

Childhood Disintegrative
This disorder is listed in the DSM-IV as one of the pervasive developmental disorders. Children exhibit progressive regression in language, motor and cognitive development.

DD
Developmental delay.

DSM-IV
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Expressive Language
Gestures, oral speech or written symbols used to communicate.

HFA
High Functioning Autism. Many professionals agree that HFA and Asperger's Syndrome are the same disorder; however, there are many people who debate this belief.

IDEA 1997
The individuals with disabilities education act of 1997.

IEP
Individual education plan.

LD
Learning disability.

Lovaas
See ABA.

LRE
Least restrictive environment. Children with disabilities are afforded the right to be educated to the maximum extent appropriate with children with disabilities. Children should not be separated from their typically developing peers unless their educational goals cannot be achieved satisfactorily with supplementary aids and services.

MH
Mental Handicap.

MR
Mental retardation.

No Child Left Behind Act
All students must be at a proficient level in reading, math and science by 2014.

PDD-NOS (DSM-IV Criteria)
Pervaisive Develomental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified is used interchangeably with ASD. Individuals are often diagnosed when they exhibits some behaviors similar to autism spectrum disorders, but communication and social impairments are not as severe. Sometimes considered atypical autism.

Perseveration
Repeated movement, thought or speech.

Pragmatic Language
"Language in context" The mutual knowledge that speakers and hearers share to communicate.

Receptive Language
Understanding written and spoken communication and gestures.

Rhett's Disorder
This disorder is listed in the DSM-IV as one of the pervasive developmental disorders. It occurs only in girls, They exhibit progressive regression in language, motor and cognitive development.

Section 504
A civil right's law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Sensory Integration
The nervous system process that receives, organizes, filters and integratees sensory and motor information for an appropriate response.

Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped (TEACCH)
A department of the University of North Carolina that evaluates individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as well as other communication disorders. They provide various support and consulting services for preschool ages up to adults (group home coordination).

WCC-ASNC
Wake County Chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina. We also use WCC. In the past, our organization has used several names: WCLU for Wake County Local Unit and, more recently, WCAS for Wake County Autism Society.

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