Parent Glossary

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - A scientific approach to understanding why people do what they do that is designed to help improve socially significant behavior. ABA is particularly effective at breaking down bigger activities into their smaller steps and teaching those smaller steps using systematic instruction.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - A pervasive, neurobiological disorder characterized by impairment in social communication and interaction as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - A field of study and practice that helps individuals with limited vocal speaking ability to communicate. Tools used can include iPads with specialty software like Proloquo2Go, sign language, and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Often, an AAC evaluation will be used to determine the most appropriate mode for communication.

• Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) - A systematic process designed to help identify why a behavior of concern that are either dangerous, socially stigmatizing, or interfering with the learning process is occuring. Oftentimes, an FBA leads to the development of a comprehensive behavior intervention/support plan (BIP/BSP).

• Mand - A term used in the ABA world that means basically the same thing as "requesting" or asking for things that a person wants.

• Verbal Behavior - A way that ABA professionals classify language. While this is often different from the way that a speech-language pathologist (SLP) looks at language, both ABA professionals and SLPs can work on helping to improve the language skills of an individual with autism, in particular.

Medical Professionals

• Developmental Pediatrician - medical doctor for children with specialized training in developmental and behavioral problems - will often provide an autism diagnosis

• Pediatric Neurologist - medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system - may also provide an autism diagnosis

• Psychiatrist - medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosis, diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health disorders

Non-Medical Professionals

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) - professional with specialized training in the use of ABA to increase appropriate behavior and decrease inappropriate behavior and credentialing from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

• Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) - professional with expertise in expressive language, receptive language, social skills, feeding/swallowing, voice, and fluency.

• Occupational Therapist (OT)- professional with expertise with fine motor skills, activities of daily living, and recreational/leisure skills

• Physical Therapist (PT) - professional with expertise with gross motor skills and mobility to support daily living skills

• Assistive Technology Professional (ATPs) - professional with expertise in the assessment and implementation of assistive technology supports to increase functional performance

• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) - individual with training in the implementation of educational programming and credentialing from the Behavior Analyst Certifcation Board (BACB).

• ABA Therapist and Instructional Paraprofessional - individual with training in the implementation of educational programming.

• Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT) - a commonly-used screening tool that can help to identify symptoms of autism but is not intended to provide a diagnosis of autism.

• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) - considered the gold standard for autism diagnostic tests.

• Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge (PEAK) - a modern language-based assessment/curriculum for individuals with autism that works on skills that go up to 18 years of age.

• Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) - a popular language-based assessment/curriculum for individuals with autism that addresses skills that go up to 4 years of age.

• Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS-R) - a popular assessment/curriculum for individuals with autism that addresses skills that go up around 6 years of age.

• Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) - an assessment tool designed to measure the effectiveness of autism treatment - often used in insurance authorizations.

• Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3) - a comprehensive assessment tool that supports diagnosis and provides valuable information for developing educational and treatment plans.

• NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale - a popular assessment tool used to help support a diagnosis of ADHD and clarify subtype (e.g., Inattentive, Hyperactive/Impulsive or Combined Inattention/Hyperactivity).

• Fully-Funded or Fully-Insured - A fully-insured plan means that the employer contracted with an insurance company to cover the employees and dependents. Fully-insured plans are the most common and are required to follow any state mandates.

• Self-Funded or Self-Insured - A self-funded plan means that the employer assumes the direct risk for payment of the claims for benefits. If an employer chooses to offer a self-funded plan, the employer may pick and choose which benefits they wish to add-on to the plan which means they have the option to add ABA coverage. However, the employer is not required to comply with state mandates. A self-funded policy supersedes any mandates set forth by the state.