Learning the Lingo
One of the biggest obstacles for new teachers is to get used to the language of disabilities. Much of the way that educators speak is through acronyms and citations of specific laws that have been passed. Even terms that you might think you understand often need further clarification when dealing with students with disabilities. You should learn the information presented here in order to be better prepared to handle your first individual education plan (IEP), staffing, and much more.
Special education has so many acronyms that it often seems like alphabet soup. In fact, there are easily over 100 acronyms used by special educators. It is a good idea to use a reference guide if you are going to be in communication with special educators on a regular basis.
You will hear your fellow teachers and other educational specialists use a number of acronyms. Some individuals will make sure that everyone understands what is being said, but others will not take the time to explain what each acronym stands for, so it's good to know what they mean. The following are some of the most common acronyms and their meanings:
IEP: Individual education plan
IDEA:
LD: Learning disabled
ESE: Exceptional student education
ADD/ADHD: Attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactive disorder
ADA:
ESL: English as a second language
LEP: Limited-English proficient
LRE: Least restrictive environment
FAPE: Free appropriate public education
If you ever hear an acronym or term that you don't understand, don't be afraid to speak up and ask what it means. It is better to look like you care enough to know than to pretend you understand and potentially get into trouble for not acting accordingly.
In addition to a variety of acronyms, you will also hear terminology that may be confusing. For example, you now know that LRE stands for “least restrictive environment,” but you may not know what that means. LRE means full inclusion, or mainstreaming, and includes the idea that a student with a disability should be placed in a classroom with nondisabled classmates.
