Decoding the Alphabet Soup: Common Special Education Acronyms and What They Mean

A special education classroom.

If you’ve ever sat in an IEP meeting and felt like everyone else was speaking a different language, you are not alone in your feelings.

Special education is full of acronyms. While they’re meant to save time, they can leave parents feeling confused, overwhelmed, and shut out of the conversation.

This guide breaks down the most common special education acronyms into plain, parent-friendly language. After reading this guide, you can walk into your next meeting feeling informed, confident, and ready to advocate for your child.

Core Special Education Terms

Acronym	What It Stands For	What It Means
IEP	Individualized Education Program	A legal plan that outlines your child’s learning goals and the support they’ll receive.
FAPE	Free Appropriate Public Education	Your child’s right to a tailored education at no cost.
LRE	Least Restrictive Environment	Your child should learn alongside peers as much as possible.
IDEA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Act	The federal law that protects special education rights.

 Communication & Behavior Supports

Acronym	What It Stands For	What It Means
AAC	Augmentative and Alternative Communication	Tools like speech devices or picture boards that support communication.
ABA	Applied Behavior Analysis	A therapy often used with autistic students to teach skills and reduce harmful behaviors.
BIP	Behavior Intervention Plan	A plan to support positive behavior and address behavior challenges.
FBA	Functional Behavior Assessment	A process to understand why a behavior is happening and how to support the student.

Services & Supports

Acronym	What It Stands For	What It Means
AT	Assistive Technology	Tools that help your child learn (like audiobooks or speech-to-text software).
OT	Occupational Therapy	Helps with fine motor skills, sensory needs, and daily tasks.
PT	Physical Therapy	Supports movement, balance, and coordination.
SLP	Speech-Language Pathologist	Helps with speech, language, and communication skills.

Evaluations & Documentation

Acronym	What It Stands For	What It Means
PLAAFP	Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance	A snapshot of how your child is doing currently.
PWN	Prior Written Notice	A document explaining any changes the school proposes or refuses.
IEE	Independent Educational Evaluation	An outside evaluation you can request if you disagree with the school’s assessment.

Disability Classifications

Acronym	What It Stands For	What It Means
SLD	Specific Learning Disability	Includes dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia.
OHI	Other Health Impairment	Often includes ADHD, epilepsy, or chronic health conditions.
ASD	Autism Spectrum Disorder	A developmental disability that affects communication and behavior.
ID	Intellectual Disability	Impacts learning and daily life skills.
ED	Emotional Disturbance	Affects emotional regulation and behavior in school settings.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to memorize every acronym, but you do deserve to understand what’s being said about your child. If something isn’t clear, you can always ask what an acronym means.

For further assistance, please contact Unique Needs Consulting for a free one-hour consultation.