The Autism Acronym Glossary: A Plain-English Decoder

Published May 12, 2026

Every acronym you'll encounter in the autism world — therapies, professional roles, government programs, school terms, diagnoses — explained in one sentence each.

The Autism Acronym Glossary

Few fields generate as many acronyms as autism services. New parents land in their first IEP meeting and hear "the SERT will coordinate with the CYC and the OT for IBI in the SK class" and feel they've stumbled into a different language.

This glossary is the decoder.

Diagnoses and conditions

• ASD — Autism Spectrum Disorder. The current clinical diagnosis name (replacing older terms like "autism," "Asperger's," and "PDD-NOS").
• ADHD — Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Frequently co-occurs with autism; the combination is sometimes called "AuDHD."
• ARFID — Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. An eating disorder distinct from anorexia, characterized by severe food selectivity often driven by sensory or anxiety issues.
• APD — Auditory Processing Disorder. Difficulty processing what's heard, despite normal hearing.
• CP — Cerebral Palsy. A movement disorder that can co-occur with autism.
• DCD — Developmental Coordination Disorder. Difficulty with motor coordination.
• GDD — Global Developmental Delay. Used for younger children showing delays across multiple developmental areas; often becomes a more specific diagnosis later.
• HIE — Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy. Brain injury from oxygen deprivation, sometimes occurring at birth.
• ID — Intellectual Disability. A diagnosis assessed separately from autism, based on cognitive and adaptive functioning.
• MID — Mild Intellectual Disability. A specific category used in some Ontario school placements.
• ODD — Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Pattern of defiant behaviour; sometimes diagnosed alongside or instead of autism in older children.
• OCD — Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Frequently co-occurs with autism.
• PANDAS / PANS — Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) / Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Controversial conditions linking sudden behaviour changes to infections.
• PTSD — Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Common in caregivers as well as in autistic individuals after distressing events.
• SPD — Sensory Processing Disorder. Not a formal DSM diagnosis but widely used to describe sensory regulation difficulties.

Therapies and interventions

• AAC — Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Tools (apps, devices, picture systems) for non-verbal or limited-verbal communicators.
• ABA — Applied Behavior Analysis. The most widely-funded autism therapy in Ontario; uses behavioural principles to teach skills and reduce challenging behaviours.
• CBT — Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Psychotherapy approach often used with verbal autistic teens and adults.
• DTT — Discrete Trial Training. A structured ABA technique using brief, repeated learning trials.
• DIR/Floortime — Developmental, Individual-difference, Relationship-based model. A play-based, child-led approach.
• ESDM — Early Start Denver Model. Early intervention approach combining ABA and developmental methods for young children.
• FCT — Functional Communication Training. Replacing challenging behaviours with communicative responses.
• IBI — Intensive Behavioural Intervention. Older term for high-intensity ABA delivered in many hours per week; less commonly funded under current OAP.
• NDBI — Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention. Newer family of approaches blending ABA and developmental methods (ESDM, JASPER, PRT).
• NET — Natural Environment Teaching. ABA conducted in everyday environments rather than at a table.
• OT — Occupational Therapy. Helps with fine motor, daily living, and sensory regulation.
• PECS — Picture Exchange Communication System. A specific paper-based AAC method.
• PRT — Pivotal Response Treatment. Naturalistic ABA approach focused on motivation and self-initiation.
• SLP — Speech-Language Pathologist (also Speech-Language Pathology). Speech and language therapy.
• SSP — Safe and Sound Protocol. A music-based intervention from the Polyvagal theory school; used by some practitioners, with mixed evidence.
• VB-MAPP — Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program. An assessment tool used in ABA programs.

Professional roles

• BCaBA — Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. Mid-level credential, supervised by a BCBA.
• BCBA — Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Master's-level certification from the global board (BACB). In Ontario, must additionally hold an RBA license to practice independently.
• CYC — Child and Youth Care Practitioner. Works in mental health, behaviour support, group homes, and similar settings.
• DSP — Developmental Service Provider / Direct Support Professional. Front-line worker in adult developmental services.
• EA — Educational Assistant. School-based front-line classroom support; sometimes shared across multiple students.
• ECE — Early Childhood Educator. Diploma-level credential for child care and kindergarten settings.
• IBT — Instructor Therapist (in some IBI/ABA programs). Front-line therapist working with children under BCBA supervision.
• NP — Nurse Practitioner. Can write prescriptions and order tests; often more accessible than family doctors for adult care.
• OT — Occupational Therapist (the professional). Distinct from "occupational therapy" (the service).
• PT — Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist.
• RBA — Registered Behaviour Analyst. The Ontario college license required for independent practice as a behaviour analyst (additional to a BCBA).
• RBT — Registered Behavior Technician. Front-line ABA therapist; typically supervised by a BCBA/RBA.
• RECE — Registered Early Childhood Educator. The licensed designation of an ECE in Ontario.
• SERT — Special Education Resource Teacher. School-based point person for special education, IEPs, and accommodations.
• SLP — Speech-Language Pathologist (the professional).
• SNA — Special Needs Assistant. School support role similar to EA in some boards.

Funding programs (Ontario / Canada)

• ACSD — Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities. Ontario monthly support payment.
• CCB — Canada Child Benefit. Federal monthly payment for parents (general; not disability-specific).
• CDB — Child Disability Benefit. Federal top-up to CCB for disabled children, available with DTC approval.
• CDCP — Canadian Dental Care Plan. Federal dental coverage program.
• DSO — Developmental Services Ontario. Provincial gateway for adult developmental services.
• DTC — Disability Tax Credit. Federal tax credit; foundational for many other programs.
• METC — Medical Expense Tax Credit. Federal tax credit for unreimbursed medical expenses.
• OAP — Ontario Autism Program. The provincial autism services system.
• ODSP — Ontario Disability Support Program. Provincial monthly income support for adults with disabilities.
• OW — Ontario Works. Provincial general welfare program.
• Passport — Adult version of SSAH; flexible funding for adults with developmental disabilities.
• RDSP — Registered Disability Savings Plan. Federal long-term savings plan with matching grants and bonds.
• SSAH — Special Services at Home. Ontario program reimbursing respite, recreation, and developmental supports for children and youth.
• URS — Urgent Response Services. OAP-funded short-term intensive support for crises.

School and assessment terms

• ADOS — Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. The gold-standard structured observation used in many autism diagnostic assessments.
• ADI-R — Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised. Caregiver interview component of full autism assessment.
• DECE — Designated Early Childhood Educator. Joint role with kindergarten teachers in Ontario.
• EQAO — Education Quality and Accountability Office. The body that runs Ontario standardized testing.
• IEP — Individual Education Plan. The legal document describing your child's accommodations, modifications, and goals.
• IPRC — Identification, Placement, and Review Committee. The school board meeting that formally identifies your child as exceptional and decides placement.
• ISP — Intensive Support Program (some boards). A small specialized class for students with significant needs.
• OSR — Ontario Student Record. The student's permanent file kept by the school board.
• PSR — Provincial Student Report (or similar; varies by board).
• PDSB / TDSB / YRDSB / DDSB / HDSB — Peel / Toronto / York / Durham / Halton District School Boards.
• SEAC — Special Education Advisory Committee. Parent-and-community committee that advises each Ontario board on special education.
• SK / JK — Senior Kindergarten / Junior Kindergarten. Ontario's two kindergarten years (ages 4 and 5).
• TEACCH — Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children. A structured-teaching approach used in some classrooms.

Tests, assessments, and labs

• CBC — Complete Blood Count. Basic bloodwork.
• EEG — Electroencephalogram. Measures brain electrical activity; used to diagnose seizures.
• FRAT — Folate Receptor Antibody Test. Used in functional medicine to identify cerebral folate deficiency.
• OAT — Organic Acids Test. Functional medicine urine test; used by some practitioners but not standard medicine.
• MRI — Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Brain imaging.
• TSH — Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. Standard thyroid blood test.

Daily-life acronyms

• GFCF — Gluten-Free Casein-Free diet. Common in autism dietary discussions; mixed evidence.
• GFCFSF — Gluten/Casein/Soy-Free.
• GAPS — Gut and Psychology Syndrome diet. Specific elimination diet popular in some communities.
• GERD — Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Acid reflux; common comorbidity.
• OHIP — Ontario Health Insurance Plan. Provincial public health insurance.
• PLASP — Peel Learning and Support Program. School-board after-school care.
• PTM — Parent-Teacher Meeting.
• TPON — Transfer Payment Ontario. The portal for SSAH and other government program forms.

Internet and community

• DM / PM — Direct Message / Private Message.
• NT — Neurotypical. Person without a developmental difference.
• ND — Neurodivergent. Person with a developmental difference (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.).

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If you're new and reading this guide for the first time, you don't need to memorize it. You'll learn the acronyms you encounter, in context, over the first year. Bookmark this page; come back when something doesn't make sense.

The fact that this page exists at all is part of why autism parenting feels overwhelming. The terminology load is real. Naming it makes it less invisible.

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