Glossary of Commonly Used Terms
Associated with Exceptional Learners



academic aptitude

a combination of general cognitive abilities that measures a student's potential for learning and achievement within specific content domains

accommodations

teaching strategies, supports, and/or services that provide students with access to the curriculum and enable them to demonstrate learning

Apgar test

a screening test administered to an infant at one minute and five minutes after birth

Asperger's Syndrome

a form of autism that features the usual social and behavior problems, but where the cognitive abilities may be average or above

disability

condition resulting from a loss of physical functioning; difficulties in learning and social adjustment that significantly interfere with normal growth and development

disorder

a disturbance in normal functioning

Dreikurs' Model

Rudolf Dreikurs' main focus is on establishing a classroom which is democratic in nature. Among other components, Dreikurs posited that behavior is directed to belonging, and that encouragement is more effective than praise.

exceptional

any individual whose physical, mental, or behavioral performance deviates so substantially from average that additional education support is needed to meet their needs. There are several types of exceptionalities, for example: Autism/ Asperger's Syndrome, ADD, Behavior Disorders/ Emotional Disturbance, Gifted and Talented, Learning Disabilities

Free and Appropriate Public Education

FAPE is the standard of education that schools must provide to children with special needs or exceptionalities. The school must help to create a specific plan to address the child's learning needs, place the student in the appropriate educational setting, and deliver the related services required for the child to learn. FAPE ensures that all students with disabilities receive an appropriate public education at no expense to the family.

Functional Behavioral Analysis

FBA is a process of examining the function that a particular behavior plays for a student that includes an analysis of the frequency, intensity and duration of a behavior. The end result of the FBA is a Behavior Management Plan (BMP), a plan to implement intervention for specific behaviors as identified.

inclusion

Inclusive education means that all students in a school, regardless of strengths or weaknesses in any area, become part of the school community; They are included in the feeling of belonging among other students, teachers, and support staff.

Individualized Educational Plan

An IEP is a document that sets out a specific plan for educating children with special needs. Under federal special education law (IDEA), all children identified as having special learning needs must have an IEP.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IDEA is a federal law mandating that all children with disabilities have available to them a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for employment and independent living. It provides funds to assist states in the education of exceptional students, and requires that states ensure the rights of children with disabilities and their parents are protected.

Least Restrictive Environment

federal law that mandates students with disabilities must be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate based on the student's needs

modifications

changes made to the curriculum expectations for a subject or course, to meet the needs of the student

No Child Left Behind

The NCLB Act of 2001 is a federal law that aims to improve the performance of America's primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend.

occupational therapist

professionals that specialize in developing self-care, increasing independent functioning and quality of life, enhancing development and preventing disability

People-First Language

not labeling and remembering individuals are people first

physical therapist

professionals who provide services to help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disability

Response to Intervention

RTI is a process that provides high-quality research based instruction and interventions that are matched to a student's needs. This process incorporates data developed to examine the student's learning rate over time to make appropriate educational and instructional decisions regarding assistance to at-risk students. In the RTI process, students with academic delays are given one or more research-validated interventions. The student's academic progress is monitored frequently to see if the interventions are sufficient to help the student reach the instructional level of his or her grade. If collected data indicates that the student does not show adequate progress, consideration for special education may be warranted.

special education

specifically designed instruction provided to children at no cost in the least restrictive environment

Title I

Formerly called Chapter One, Title I provides federal funding for schools to help students who are behind or at risk of falling behind academically. The funding is based on the number of low-income children in a school, which is generally determined by the number of students eligible for the free lunch program. Title I is intended to supplement, not replace, state and district funds.

Twice-Exceptionality

Psychologists who work in the area of special education sometimes refer to a student with two disabilities as having a dual diagnosis, which may be considered to be twice-exceptional.

Universal Design for Learning

UDL is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn.

504 Plan

a plan that outlines the services needed by a student that has been identified eligible and protected under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Essentially, Section 504 covers students who have been defined as having any physical or mental impairment that interferes with any major life activities (learning, walking, talking, etc.). These students may or may not fall under the protection of IDEA.