Acronyms can be very confusing if you don’t know what the letters and numbers that compose the acronym represent. To help clear up any confusion, an extensive list of acronyms, many specific to the developmental disabilities world, are listed below. Some of the acronyms listed are also specific to Washington State.
Please feel free share this list of common acronyms and terms with others who might find it useful and informative.
Agency & Organization Acronyms & Terms:
AAA – Area Agencies on Aging
AAP – American Academy of Pediatrics
ACCT – Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (within DOT)
ACF - Administration for Children and Families (within Federal HHS)
ACHS - Association of County Human Services
ADH - Adult Day Health
ADRC - Aging and Disability Resource Center
ADSA - Aging and Disability Services Administration (within DSHS)
AFSCME - American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees
AG - Attorney General
AAG - Assistant Attorney General
APS - Adult Protective Services (within DSHS)
Arc – Officially, this is not an acronym though some chapters use “Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities”
ASW - Autism Society of Washington
AUCD - Association of University Centers on Disabilities
BIAW - Brain Injury Association of Washington
CAC - Community Advocacy Coalition
CAPA - Community Alternatives for People with Autism
CDC – Centers for Disease Control (Federal Agency)
CDS - Child Development Services
CEA - Community Employment Alliance
CEC - Council for Exceptional Children
CFC - Caseload Forecast Council
CFS – Children and Family Services (Children’s Administration in DSHS)
CHDD - Center on Human Development and Disability
CHIP - Children’s Health Insurance Program
CJTC - Criminal Justice Training Commission
CLS – Columbia Legal Services
CMS - Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Federal Agency)
CPGB - Certified Professional Guardianship Board
CPPA - Community Protection Providers Association
CPS - Child Protective Services (within DSHS)
CRSA - Community Residential Services Association
CSO - Community Service Office (within DSHS)
CSHCN - Children with Special Health Care Needs (within DOH)
CSTC - Child Study and Treatment Center
DBHR - Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
DCFS - Division of Children and Family Services (within DSHS)
DDAB - Developmental Disability Advisory Board
DDC - Developmental Disabilities Council (within DOH)
DDD - Division of Developmental Disabilities (within DSHS)
DEL - Department of Early Learning
DOH - Department of Health
DOJ - Department of Justice
DOT - Department of Transportation
DNR - Department of Natural Resources
DPC - Disability Policy Collaboration (Includes the Arc US and United Cerebral Palsy US)
DRW - Disability Rights Washington
DSHS - Department of Social and Health Services
DVR - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DSHS)
ECEAP - Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program
EPSDT – Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment
ESIT - Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (formerly ITEIP)
FAIR – Freedom ~ Access ~ Independence ~ Respect
FDA – Food and Drug Administration
FEAT - Families for Effective Autism Treatment
FREED - Family Resources, Education and Empowerment for Developmental Disabilities
HHS - Health and Human Services (Federal Agency)
HRC - Human Rights Commission
ICC - Interagency Coordinating Council (Birth to 3)
ITEIP - Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention Program (new acronym is ESIT within DEL)
JRA - Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (within DSHS)
L&I - Labor and Industries
LDA - Learning Disabilities Association of Washington
MAA - Medical Assistance Administration
NAC - Northwest Autism Center
NADS - National Association for Down Syndrome
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
NWJP – Northwest Justice Project
OAC - Office of Administrator of the Courts
OCR - Office for Civil Rights
OFM – Office of Financial Management
OPG - Office of Public Guardianship
OSEP - Office of Special Education Programs
OSERS - Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
OSPI - Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
P&A - Protection and Advocacy
P2P - Parent to Parent
P 20/20 - Partnership 20/20
PACER - Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights
PAVE - Partnerships for Action Voices for Empowerment
PESB - Professional Educator Standards Board
PTI - Statewide Parent Training and Information Center
RCS – Residential Care Services
RSA - Rehabilitation Services Administration
RSN - Regional Support Network
SABE - Self Advocates Becoming Empowered
SAIL - Self Advocates In Leadership
SAW - Self Advocates of Washington
SCHIP - State Children’s Health Insurance Program
SEAC - Special Education Advisory Council
SEC - Special Education Coalition
SEIU - Service Employees International Union
SETC - Special Education Technology Center
SICC - State Interagency Coordinating Council
SILC - State Independent Living Council
SPI - Superintendent of Public Instruction
SSA - Social Security Administration
STOMP - Specialized Training of Military Parents
TACID - Tacoma Area Center for Individuals with Disabilities
TVW - Washington State’s public affairs television channel (covers all 3 branches of government)
WAA - Washington Autism Advocacy
WATA - Washington State Assistive Technology Alliance
WEA – Washington Education Association
WISE – Washington Initiative for Supported Employment
WSDS - Washington Sensory Disabilities Services
WSH – Western State Hospital
WSHA – Washington Speech and Hearing Association
WSHRC – Washington State Human Rights Commission
WSIPP - Washington State Institute for Public Policy
WSPC - Washington State Parent Coalitions for Developmental Disabilities
WSSEC – Washington State Special Education Coalition
Legislative & Legal Acronyms & Terms:
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
AG - Attorney General
ALJ - Administrative Law Judge
CRA - Civil Rights Act
ESHB - Engrossed Substitute House Bill
ESSB - Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill
FERPA - Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act
FMAP - Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentages
FPL - Federal Poverty Level
FY – Fiscal Year
HAVA - Help America Vote Act
HB - House Bill
HCBS - Home and Community Based Services (waivers)
HHS - Health and Human Services
IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEIA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
JAC - John A. Cherberg (Building)
JLARC - Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee
JLOB – John L. O’Brien (Building)
LA – Legislative Assistant
LEAP - Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program
MFP - Money Follows the Person
NCLB – No Child Left Behind
PDC - Public Disclosure Commission
PL – Public Law
PL 94-142 – Education of Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (now PL 101-476)
PL 99-457 – Education of the Handicapped Amendment of 1986 (now PL 101-476)
PL 105-476 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (formerly PL 94-142 & PL 99-457)
PL 105-15 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (formerly PL 101-476)
POA – Power of Attorney
RCW – Revised Code of Washington
RHC - Residential Habilitation Center
SB – Senate Bill
SHB – Substitute House Bill
SNF – Skilled Nursing Facility
SOP – State-Operated Program
SSB - Substitute Senate Bill
VAPO - Vulnerable Adult Protection Order
WAC - Washington Administrative Code
WLAD - Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60)
Disability Diagnosis Acronyms & Terms:
ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder
BD - Behavioral Disability
CD - Communication Disorders
COD – Co-Occurring Disorder
CP – Cerebral Palsy
CVI – Cortical Visual Impairment
DD – Developmental Disability
DS – Down Syndrome
DX - Diagnosis
FAE – Fetal Alcohol Effect
FAS – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
HFA – High Functioning Autism
ID – Intellectual Disability
LD - Learning Disability
MR – Mental Retardation
OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
ODD – Oppositional Defiance Disorder
PDD – Pervasive Development Disorder
PDDNOS - Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
SBD – Severe Behavior Disability
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
Programs & Services Acronyms & Terms:
ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis
ADL – Activities of Daily Living (DDD assessment)
B-3 – Birth to 3 (Early Intervention)
BASIC – One of four Medicaid Waiver levels
BASIC PLUS - One of four Medicaid Waiver levels
CA – Community Access
CARE - Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evaluation (DDD)
CCF – Congregate Care Facility
CIIBS – Children’s Intensive In-home Behavior Supports (DDD waiver)
CLASS Act - Community Living Assistance and Support Services (Federal)
CMIS – Client Management Information System (DDD)
COPES – Community Options Program Entry System
CORE – One of four Medicaid Waiver levels
HCBS - Home and Community Based Services
ICAP - Inventory of Client and Agency Planning
IFS – Individual and Family Services program (DDD)
ILC – Independent Living Center
IRWE - Impairment Related Work Experience (SSA)
ISP – Individual Support Plan (DDD)
LOT – Life Opportunities Trust (Commonly referred to as DD LOT)
LTC – Long Term Care
LTCO – Long-Term Care Ombudsman
LTCRRA - Long-Term Care Resident Rights Act
Medicare, Part A – Medicare coverage for hospital and in-patient services
Medicare, Part B - Medicare coverage for doctor visits, outpatient services, durable medical equipment
Medicare, Part C – Makes Medicare services available through private plans (HMO, PPO, etc.)
Medicare, Part D – Medicare coverage for prescription drugs (also called Medicare Rx)
MICP – Medically Intensive Children’s Program
MPC - Medicaid Personal Care
PCP – Person Centered Plan
PAN – Planned Action Notice (DDD)
PASS – Plan for Achieving Self Support (Social Security)
PCA – Personal Care Attendant
SIS – Supports Intensity Scale (DDD)
SLAM – Service Level Assessment Module (DDD)
SSCDB – Social Security Childhood Disability Benefit
SSDAC – Social Security Disabled Adult Child (benefit)
SSDI – Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (Social Security)
SSI – Supplemental Security Income (Social Security)
SSP – State Supplementary Payment Program
TWWIIA - Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999
WAAP – Working Age Adult Policy
Residential Acronyms & Terms:
AFH – Adult Family Home
ALS – Alternative Living Services
CH – Companion Home
CPP – Community Protection Program
GH – Group Home
ICF/MR – Intermediate Care Facility for person with Mental Retardation
NH - Nursing Home
RHC – Residential Habilitation Center
SOLA - State Operated Living Alternative
VPP – Voluntary Placement Program
VPS – Voluntary Placement Services
Education Related Acronyms & Terms:
504 – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
BIP – Behavioral Intervention Plan
BMP – Behavior Management Plan
CDS – Communication Disorder Specialist
CIA – Certificate of Individual Achievement
CNA – Comprehensive Needs Assessment
EBP – Evidence Based Practice
EI – Early Intervention
EPSDT – Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment
ESD – Educational Service District
ESY – Extended School Year
FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education
FBA – Functional Behavioral Assessment
FSP – Family Support Plan
FTE – Full Time Equivalent
IEP – Individualized Education Plan/Program
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IFSP – Individualized Family Services Plan
LAP - Learning Assistance Program
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
OT – Occupational Therapist
PBIP - Positive Behavior Intervention Plan
PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System
PT – Physical Therapist
SDI – Specifically Designed Instruction
SLP – Speech-Language Pathologist
SPED – Special Education
STW – School-To-Work
Employment Related Acronyms & Terms:
GSE – Group Supported Employment
IRWE – Impairment Related Work Expense
ISE – Individual Supported Employment
P2P – Person to Person
PIE – Pathway to Individual Employment
PVS – Pre Vocational Services
SGA – Substantial Gainful Employment
TTW – Ticket to Work
Miscellaneous Acronyms & Terms:
ARNP – Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
AT – Assistive Technology
BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BSP – Behavioral Support Plan (DDD)
CPG – Certified Professional Guardianship
CM – Case Manager (DDD)
CRM – Case Resource Manager (DDD)
DAC – Disabled Adult Child (SSA)
DME – Durable Medical Equipment
DNR – Do Not Resuscitate
DX – Diagnosis
ETP – Exception To Policy (DDD)
ETR - Exception To Rule (DDD)
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
FTE – Full Time Equivalent
FY – Fiscal Year
FYI – For your information
I&R – Information and Referral
LRA – Least Restrictive Alternative
LRO – Least Restrictive Option
MOE – Maintenance of Effort
MOU – Memorandum of Understanding
NA – Not Applicable
NSA – Necessary Supplemental Accommodation
NPS – No Paid Services
OJT – On-the-Job Training
PAN – Planned Action Notice (DDD)
POC – Plan of Care (DDD)
PDF – Portable Document Format (read with Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Q&A – Questions and Answers
QA – Quality Assurance
RFI – Request for Information
RFP – Request for Proposals
RFQ - Request for Qualifications
RN – Registered Nurse
TA – Technical Assistance
TX – Treatment
Internet Related Acronyms & Terms:
BLOG – Web log page on a web site
.COM – Commercial web site in the Domain Name System
.EDU – Education web site in the Domain Name System
EMOTICON - Icon using text to show emotion
FB - Facebook
.GOV - Government web site in the Domain Name System
HTTP – Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
IRC – Internet Relay Chat
.NET – Network web site in the Domain Name System
.ORG – Organization web site in the Domain Name System
TWEET – Text message sent on a Twitter account
URL – Universal/Uniform Reference/Resource Locator
WALL – Public posting place on a Facebook page
WWW. – World Wide Web
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