For those who might be new to this community, here are a few commonly-used terms and acronyms, and a bit of a guide to the terms that I prefer to use:
AD/HD -- short hand for both attention deficit with and without hyperactivity.
ASD -- autistic spectrum differences. Generally includes high-functioning autism (HFA), asperger's syndrome (AS), non-verbal learning difference (NLD), and pervasive developmental difference (PDD).
Aspie -- the friendly term used to describe those with Asperger's Syndrome. Often used for HFAs as well.
CPD -- central processing deficit (either auditory or visual). Those individuals who have a difficult time with processing information that comes to them in either an auditory or visual form.
DoR -- Department of Rehabilitation. The county/state/federal program responsible for providing multidisciplinary services to adults with disabilities.
Difference -- where possible, I swap out 'difference' for 'disorder'. I (and others) find the use of the world 'disorder' to be derogatory, much as previous generations found that classifying homosexuality as a psychiatric disorder was perjorative, and in fact incorrect.
DRC -- Disability Resource Center. The center (variously named) on a college or university campus that offers accommodations and guidance for students with a disability.
DSM (or DSM-IV) -- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. The clinical manual of definitions and criteria used to determine diagnoses.
DQ -- to disqualify someone for services, such as disability or educational services.
HFA -- High functioning autism
IEP -- Individualized Education Plan. An agreement between a school district and the family of a special needs child on the services that that child will receive during the school year.
LCSW -- Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
LD -- 'classic' learning differences, including dyspraxia, dyslexia, and dysgraphia.
MFT -- Marriage and Family Therapist.
Neurodiverse -- those individuals who have a learning or cognitive difference (but not deficit). I (and others) use it inclusively for all attention deficits (AD/HD), all autistic spectrum differences without cognitive deficit, Tourette's, pervasive depressive disorders, and schizophrenia. The common denominator among the neurodiverse is a biochemical difference in the mechanics of the brain which causes the individual to experience the world around them differently than the mainstream, or neurotypical, world, but who have high cognitive functioning in one or more areas.
NLD -- Non-verbal learning disorder.
NT -- Neurotypical. Those folks who do not have a learning or cognitive difference.
OT -- occupational therapist.
PDD-NOS -- pervasive developmental difference, not otherwise specified. Often used for the 'corner cases' where an individual clearly has a neurodiverse difference, but does not fit neatly into another diagnosis.
PT -- physical therapist.
ROC -- Regional Occupation Center. The county program responsible for providing multidisciplinary services to individuals with a disability acquired before age 18.
SLP -- speech and language pathologist.
SPED -- special education.
SDI -- State Disability Insurance. Form of disability income for those who cannot work.
SSI -- Social Security Insurance. Form of disability income for those who cannot work.
VR (or VocRehab)-- Vocational Rehabilitation. Services designed to prepare individuals to enter or re-enter employment.
