Autism Acronyms Every Parent & Caregiver Should Know

MySense

There's a lot of unfamiliar language in the autism community, including many acronyms. That's why we've created this handy acronym dictionary for your reference. You'll likely encounter these terms often as you navigate services and communicate with providers.

By getting familiar with these terms, you'll be empowered to make the best, most informed decisions for your child. Understanding the lingo will also help you connect more effectively with clinical staff and other support professionals. We're here to support you every step of the way.

1. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA is an evidence-based therapeutic approach rooted in the principles of learning and behaviour science. It is the most widely accepted treatment approach for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The goal of ABA is to progressively develop skills, increase helpful behaviours, and decrease harmful or interfering behaviours.  

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

ASD is the official diagnostic term for autism, most often used in a clinical or medical context. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that can affect sensory processing, social communication, and and emotional and behavioural regulation.  The term “spectrum” refers to the wide variation in characteristics and support needs of each individual.

3. Behavior Support Plan (BSP)

A BSP is a structured and individualized learning plan designed to address specific learning goals. The plan is developed collaboratively by professionals (e.g., Behaviour Analysts), along with parents or caregivers and the individual. It typically includes detailed information about the target behaviours, their function, and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing barriers to learning and teaching new skills. The BSP outlines specific techniques, strategies and support mechanisms to help individuals with autism adapt to their environment, participate in their communities and enhance overall well-being.

4. Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

An IEP is a written document outlining the educational program designed to meet the unique needs of a student.  IEPs are developed collaboratively by a team that typically includes parents or guardians, teachers, special education professionals and sometimes the student.  

5. Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI)

IBI refers to a comprehensive and structured approach to therapy that focuses on supporting autistic children across all learning domains. IBI is rooted in the principles of ABA.  This highly individualized therapy modality is delivered at a 1:1 staff to client ratio.  

6. Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC)

Once a child is in school, the IPRC occurs in order to:

• Decide an appropriate placement for the student, giving first consideration to placement in a regular class with appropriate special education programs and services and taking parental preferences into account
• Discuss recommendations for programs and/or services
• Review the identification and placement at least once in each school year
  

7. Occupational Therapy (OT)

OT is the use of therapeutic interventions to address challenges and promote the development of skills necessary for daily living and participation in various activities. Occupational therapists work with individuals with autism to enhance their independence, functional abilities and quality of life. They may focus on fine motor skills, gross motor skills and coordination. This is different from physiotherapy, which mainly focuses on the patient’s ability to move their body.  

8. ​Physiotherapy (PT)

PT involves the application of specialized interventions to address motor challenges, coordination difficulties and physical impairments that individuals with autism may experience. The goal of physiotherapy is to enhance a person's functional abilities and promote participation in daily activities and social interactions. This is different from occupational therapy, which mainly focuses on the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living.  

9. Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

SLP involves the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication and language delay and disorders. Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, play a crucial role in supporting individuals with autism in developing effective communication, play, and social skills

10. Ontario Autism Program (OAP)

The OAP is a provincial program that offers support to families of children and youth on the autism spectrum. Children and youth who have been diagnosed with ASD by a qualified professional are eligible to receive services and supports until the age of 18. AccessOAP is the OAP’s Independent Intake Organization that supports everyone registered in the OAP.

11. Special Services at Home (SSAH)

SSAH offers essential caregiver and related support to families caring for a child with developmental and/or physical disabilities. It encompasses caregiver relief and enriching activities like camps, swimming and music classes, fostering the child's personal growth and development.

12. Ontario Assistive Device Program (OADP)

The OADP assists individuals with long-term physical disabilities in acquiring customized equipment such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. It covers 75% of the equipment cost, with applicants responsible for the remaining 25%.

13. Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG)

The Canadian Government provides grants to RDSPs. These grants match contributions at rates of 300%, 200% or 100%, depending on the beneficiary’s adjusted family net income and the amount contributed. RDSPs can receive a maximum of $3,500 in matching grants annually and up to $70,000 over the beneficiary’s lifetime. For further details, visit the CRA website.

13. Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The disability tax credit (DTC) is a nonrefundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities or their supporting family members reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.

14. Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

A registered disability savings plan (RDSP) is a savings plan intended to help an individual who is approved to receive the disability tax credit (DTC) to save for their long-term financial security.

15. Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)

A branch of the provincial government that aims to help improve outcomes for children, youth, families and individuals who need support and advance the interests of women across Ontario.

From：Geneva Centre for Autism

MySense

自闭症群体中有很多不常见的语言，包括许多首字母缩略词。因此，我们创建了这本便捷的首字母缩略词词典供您参考。您在使用相关服务以及与服务提供商沟通时，很可能会经常遇到这些术语。

熟悉这些术语，您将能够为孩子做出最佳、最明智的决定。理解这些术语还能帮助您更有效地与临床工作人员和其他支持专业人员沟通。我们随时为您提供支持。

1.应用行为分析（ABA）

应用行为分析 (ABA) 是一种基于学习和行为科学原理的循证治疗方法。它是自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 最广为接受的治疗方法。ABA 的目标是逐步培养技能，增加有益行为，并减少有害或干扰行为。  

2.自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）

ASD 是自闭症的官方诊断术语，常用于临床或医学领域。自闭症是一种终身神经发育障碍，会影响感觉处理、社交沟通以及情绪和行为调节。“谱系”一词指的是每个人的特征和支持需求存在巨大差异。

3.行为支持计划（BSP）

BSP 是一种结构化的个性化学习计划，旨在实现特定的学习目标。该计划由专业人士（例如行为分析师）与家长或监护人以及患者共同制定。它通常包含关于目标行为、其功能以及旨在减少学习和教授新技能障碍的循证干预措施的详细信息。BSP 概述了具体的技巧、策略和支持机制，以帮助自闭症患者适应环境、参与社区活动并提升整体福祉。

4.个性化教育计划（IEP）

个人化教育计划 (IEP) 是一份书面文件，概述了旨在满足学生独特需求的教育计划。IEP 由一个团队共同制定，该团队通常包括家长或监护人、教师、特殊教育专业人员，有时还包括学生本人。  

5.强化行为干预（IBI）

IBI 是一种全面且结构化的治疗方法，专注于在所有学习领域为自闭症儿童提供支持。IBI 植根于应用行为分析 (ABA) 的原则。这种高度个性化的治疗模式以 1:1 的师生比例进行。  

6. 识别、安置和审查委员会（IPRC）

一旦孩子入学，IPRC 就会发生，目的是：

• 为学生确定合适的安置，首先考虑将学生安置在具有适当特殊教育计划和服务的普通班级，并考虑家长的偏好
• 讨论项目和/或服务的建议
• 每学年至少审查一次识别和安置情况
  

7.职业治疗（OT）

职业治疗 (OT) 是指利用治疗干预手段来应对挑战，并促进日常生活和参与各种活动所需技能的发展。职业治疗师与自闭症患者合作，帮助他们提高独立性、功能能力和生活质量。他们可能侧重于精细运动技能、粗大运动技能和协调性。这与物理治疗不同，物理治疗主要关注患者活动身体的能力。  

8. 物理治疗（PT）

物理治疗 (PT) 是指运用专门的干预措施来应对自闭症患者可能遇到的运动障碍、协调障碍和身体障碍。物理治疗的目标是增强患者的功能能力，促进其参与日常活动和社交互动。这与职业治疗不同，职业治疗主要关注患者的日常生活活动能力。  

9.言语语言病理学（SLP）

言语语言病理学家（SLP）涉及沟通和语言发育迟缓及障碍的评估、诊断和治疗。言语语言病理学家（也称为言语治疗师）在帮助自闭症患者发展有效的沟通、游戏和社交技能方面发挥着至关重要的作用。

10. 安大略省自闭症项目（OAP）

OAP 是一项省级项目，旨在为自闭症谱系儿童和青少年的家庭提供支持。经合格专业人士诊断患有自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 的儿童和青少年有资格获得服务和支持，直至 18 岁。AccessOAP 是 OAP 的独立接收机构，为所有注册 OAP 的人士提供支持。

11. 居家特殊服务（SSAH）

SSAH 为照顾发育障碍和/或肢体障碍儿童的家庭提供必要的照护人员及相关支持。这包括照护人员的替代服务以及丰富的活动，例如夏令营、游泳和音乐课程，以促进儿童的个人成长和发展。

12. 安大略省辅助设备计划（OADP）

OADP 旨在帮助长期肢体残障人士购买定制设备，例如轮椅和助听器。OADP 承担设备费用的 75%，剩余的 25% 由申请人承担。

13.加拿大残疾储蓄补助金（CDSG）

加拿大政府向注册退休储蓄计划 (RDSP) 提供补助金。这些补助金将根据受益人的调整后家庭净收入和缴款金额，以 300%、200% 或 100% 的比例匹配缴款。RDSP 每年最多可获得 3,500 加元的配套补助金，受益人一生最多可获得 70,000 加元。更多详情，请访问加拿大税务局 (CRA) 网站。

13. 残疾税收抵免（DTC）

残疾税收抵免（DTC）是一种不可退还的税收抵免，可帮助残疾人或其支持家庭成员减少他们可能需要缴纳的所得税金额。

14. 注册残疾储蓄计划（RDSP）

注册残疾储蓄计划 (RDSP) 是一种储蓄计划，旨在帮助获得残疾税收抵免 (DTC) 的个人为其长期财务安全进行储蓄。

15.儿童、社区和社会服务部（MCCSS）

省政府的一个分支机构，旨在帮助改善需要支持的儿童、青年、家庭和个人的状况，并促进安大略省妇女的利益。