Commonly Used Terminology
To Clarify…
Intellectual disability
Characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem-solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills; this disability originates before the age of 18.
Developmental disability
An umbrella term that includes intellectual disability but also includes other severe chronic disabilities that can be cognitive, physical, or both; they are apparent before the age of 22 and are likely to be lifelong.
Mental retardation
The term intellectual and developmental disability covers the same population of individuals who were diagnosed previously with mental retardation in number, kind, level, type, duration of disability, and the need of people with this disability for individualized services and supports. Furthermore, every individual who is or was eligible for a diagnosis of mental retardation is eligible for a diagnosis of intellectual disability.
While intellectual and developmental disability is the preferred term, it takes time for language that is used in legislation, regulation, and even for the names of organizations to change. See further details regarding the change in terminology here. St. Louis Center prefers to use and hear the term intellectual and developmental disability.
Alphabetically…
ABA
Applied Behavior Analysis. A discipline devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behavior through skill acquisition and the reduction of problematic behavior in a measurable and accountable manner. Often used interchangeably with behavior modification.
ACA
Affordable Care Act. The federal statute is also known as Obamacare.
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This comprehensive federal civil rights law makes it unlawful to discriminate in private sector employment against a qualified individual with a disability. The ADA also outlaws discrimination against individuals with disabilities in state and local government services, employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunication.
ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder. A disorder that shows up in the areas of inattention and impulsiveness. It is evidenced by having difficulty organizing and completing tasks correctly, frequent shifting from one activity to another, failure to follow rules. ADD without hyperactivity refers to the disorder without a high degree of atypical motor activity.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This is similar to ADD but includes gross motor overactivity, such as excessive running, talking, or manipulation of objects and excessive fidgeting and restlessness.
ADL
Activities of Daily Living.
AFDC
Aid to Families with Dependent Children. A financial assistance program for single-parent families. Modified in the welfare reforms of 1997.
Accessible
Easy to approach, enter, operate, participate in or use safely, independently, and with dignity by a person with a disability.
Accessibility
Modification of buildings, curbs, and other physical structures to allow easy movement and admittance by a person with a disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 mandates accessibility to all public and private facilities. Modifications might include ramps, the use of Braille, and sound adaptations.
Advocacy
Parents (or families), organizations, or volunteers working on behalf of the rights and interests of others (such as people with disabilities). Parents are the best advocates for their children.
Alzheimer’s Disease
A degenerative disease of the brain, causing mental degeneration.
Ambulation
Rolling, crawling, walking, running.
Asperger’s Syndrome
A developmental disorder characterized by a lack of social skills, impaired social relationships, poor coordination, and poor concentration. Children with Asperger’s Disorder have average to above-average intelligence and adequate language skills in the areas of vocabulary and grammar, but they may not understand the subtleties used in conversation such as irony and humor. It is believed that Asperger’s Disorder has a later onset than Autistic Disorder or at least is generally recognized later.
Assistive Technology
Devices used by people with disabilities to compensate for functional limitations and to enhance and increase learning, independence, mobility, communication, environmental control, and choice.
Autism
A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social relationships, generally evident before age three, which adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Alternate definitions can be found here.
CARF
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. A private, nonprofit organization that establishes standards of quality for services to people with disabilities. Adherence to these standards is then measured through an on-site review of an organization requesting accreditation. CARF is the nationally recognized accrediting authority whose sole concern is to promote quality services for people with disabilities. St. Louis Center is CARF accredited.
CM
Case Manager.
CNA
Certified Nurse’s Aide.
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Conditions that exhibit spasticity, weakness, lack of coordination, or any other motor problem due to organic brain damage. These include sensory and/or movement disorders, seizures, intellectual, learning disabilities, and disorders of behavior. Additional information can be found here.
DHHS
Department of Health & Human Services. Formerly referred to as the Department of Social Services.
Developmental Delay
Being behind other children of the same age in achieving cognitive, adaptive, physical, and social skills.
Diabetes
A general term for diseases characterized by excessive urination (metabolism) and thirst.
Downs Syndrome
A congenital disorder arising from a chromosome defect, causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities. It arises from a defect involving chromosome 21, usually an extra copy (trisomy-21).
EHA (PL 9 230)
Education of the Handicapped Act of 1970. A federal law that consolidated previous legislation and established a new Title VI, which became known as Part B. This act established a grant program for educational agencies at the local level. Part B was the precursor to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (PL 94-142) which significantly expanded the educational rights and opportunities for children and youth with disabilities.
Epilepsy
Brief temporary changes in the normal functioning of the brain’s electrical system. Also known as seizures.
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act of 1996 (August 21), Public Law 104-191, amended the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986. Also known as the Kennedy-Kassebaum Act, the Act includes a section, Title II, entitled Administrative Simplification, requiring: Improved efficiency in healthcare delivery by standardizing electronic data interchange, and 2. Protection of confidentiality and security of health data through setting and enforcing standards.
Habilitation
The process by which a person with developmental disabilities is assisted in acquiring and maintaining life skills to cope more effectively with personal and developmental demands, and to increase the level of physical, mental, vocational, and social ability through services.
IQ
Intelligence Quotient. A derived score from an intelligence test that provides information as to how an individual’s aptitude for learning compares to other individuals of the same age.
Inclusion
To have the opportunity to participate in all activities available in a community; for example, education in a traditional classroom.
Independent Living
When an individual, formerly receiving DDRC services, now lives independently. Or a residential situation in which a person with disabilities lives by him or herself with limited assistance from others.
Intake
Activities performed by a resource coordinator to determine a developmental disability, including gathering information to start a person in a meaningful program of services.
Integration
Participation in the mainstream of community life. Participation means the person with disabilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, maintains social relationships with family, peers, and non-disabled people in the community. They may work and live alongside people without disabilities.
MSW
Masters in Social Work.
Mainstreaming
A term used by educators to refer to the integration of people with disabilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities into regular classes for part or all of the school day.
Person-Centered Planning (PCP)
Person-centered planning (PCP) is a process for selecting and organizing the services and supports that an older adult or person with a disability may need to live in the community or supported living environment. Most importantly, it is a process that is directed by the person who receives the support.
Pica
A pattern of hoarding and eating non-food materials (rocks, grass, paper, etc.) commonly seen in children and those with autism.
RN
Registered Nurse.
Residential Care Facility
A residential facility that makes available personal services, protective oversight, social care due to a client’s impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision available on a 24-hr. basis, but not to the extent that 24-hr. medical or nursing care is required.
Self-determination
Activities that promote or allow for consumer choice and the ability of a consumer or family to use principles of freedom, authority, support, and responsibility.
Family Support & Resources
Here are just a few of the questions we receive on a regular basis:
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