Activity 1 Name: Reniel C.

Cabaya
Educ 109: Different Terms in Special Education

Terms Definitions
Adapted Physical Education (APE) is physical education that has been
Adapted Physical Education adapted or modified so it is as appropriate for the person with a disability
as it is for a person without one. It emphasizes the importance of physical
activity and fitness as well as the development of gross and fine motor
skills.
Accommodations are designed to give all students a fair chance to learn
Accommodations and show what they know. These adjustments can involve anything from
changing how students engage with the material to altering the
environment where they learn.
Acquisition deficit refers to a difficulty or impairment that a student has
Acquisition Deficit in initially learning or acquiring new knowledge, skills, or concepts.

Adaptive behavior refers to the skills that people need to function

Adaptive Behavior independently at home, at school, and in the community. Adaptive
behavior skills include: Communication and social skills (interacting and
communicating with other people) Independent living skills (shopping,
budgeting, and cleaning).
Adaptations refer to changes made to the curriculum, instruction,
Adaptations materials, environment, or assessment methods to meet the diverse
needs of students with disabilities or exceptionalities. These changes
allow students to access the general education curriculum and participate
meaningfully in the learning process
Alternative assessment is a form of evaluation that is used in special or
Alternative Assessment inclusive education to measure student learning and progress in ways
that are different from traditional, standardized tests. Alternative
assessments are designed to be more flexible, authentic, and
individualized, and they often involve the use of performance-based
tasks, portfolios, observations, interviews, or self-assessments.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding
Applied Behavior Analysis and changing behavior. In special or inclusive education, ABA is often
used to help students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other
developmental disabilities learn new skills and reduce challenging
behaviors
Assessment refers to the process of gathering information about a
Assessment student’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, and progress in order to make
educational decisions. Assessment can be formal or informal, and it may
involve the use of a variety of methods, such as tests, observations,
interviews, portfolios, and rating scales.
Assessment plan is a document that outlines the specific assessments
Assessment Plan that will be used to evaluate a student’s strengths, weaknesses, needs,
and progress in special or inclusive education.
Assistive technology (AT) refers to any device, equipment, or software
Assistive Technology that is used to enhance, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities
of individuals with disabilities.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is
Attention Deficit Disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and
(ADD) impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning and academic
performance
Cognitive skills refer to the mental processes that are involved in learning,
Cognitive Skills thinking, remembering, problem-solving, and decision-making. In special
or inclusive education, cognitive skills are an important area of focus, as
many students with disabilities or exceptionalities may have difficulties
with one or more of these skills.
Confidentiality is an important ethical and legal principle in special or
Confidentiality inclusive education that protects the privacy and rights of students with
disabilities or exceptionalities and their families.
Disability is defined as a physical, mental, or emotional impairment that
Disability substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning,
walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, or working. Disabilities can
be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (occurring later in life), and
they can range from mild to severe

Hearing Impairment A hearing impairment is a disability that affects a person's ability to hear
sounds. Hearing impairments can range from mild to profound, and they
can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (occurring later in life). In
special or inclusive education, students with hearing impairments may
require accommodations and support to help them access the general
education curriculum, communicate effectively, and participate in
classroom activities

Inclusion Inclusion is an educational philosophy and practice that emphasizes the

full participation and acceptance of all students, regardless of their
differences or disabilities, in the general education classroom.
Individualized Educational Program (IEP) is a written document developed
Individualized Educational for each eligible student with a disability in the United States. It is tailored
Program (IEP) to meet the unique educational needs of the student and outlines specific
annual goals, short-term objectives (if applicable), the special education
and related services to be provided, the extent to which the student will
participate in the general education curriculum, and any accommodations
or modifications necessary to support the student's learning.
Informal assessment in special or inclusive education involves the use of
Informal Assessment non-standardized methods to gather information about a student’s skills,
knowledge, and progress. These methods are often more flexible and
spontaneous than formal assessments.
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle in special and
Informed consent inclusive education. It means that parents or legal guardians of a student
with a disability must be fully informed about any proposed evaluations,
educational programs, or interventions for their child.
Intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by
Intellectual Disability significant limitations in both intellectual functioning (such as reasoning,
problem-solving, and learning) and adaptive behavior (such as
communication, social skills, and daily living skills).
Interventions are specific strategies, techniques, or programs designed to
Interventions address the educational, behavioral, or social needs of students with
disabilities or at-risk students.
The Least Restrictive Environment is a principle of special education law
Least Restrictive in the United States. It requires that students with disabilities be
Environment (LRE) educated in the setting that is most similar to the general education
classroom and that provides the appropriate supports and services to
meet their individual needs.
Mainstreaming refers to the practice of placing students with disabilities
Mainstreaming in the general education classroom for part or all of the school day. It is
often used as a step towards full inclusion.
Modifications are changes made to the curriculum, instruction, or
Modifications assessment that significantly alter the content, level, or performance
criteria. Modifications are designed to ensure that students with
disabilities have an equal opportunity to learn and demonstrate their
knowledge and skills, but they may result in a different educational
outcome than that expected of non-disabled students
Multidisciplinary refers to an approach that involves multiple disciplines
Multidisciplinary or professionals working together to address the complex needs of
students with disabilities.
Occupational therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional who specializes
Occupational Therapist in helping people of all ages with disabilities or injuries to develop,
recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and participation in
meaningful activities
Reading comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret written
Reading Comprehension text. It involves a complex set of skills, including decoding words,
 understanding vocabulary, making inferences, drawing conclusions, and
connecting the text to prior knowledge.
Receptive language refers to the ability to understand spoken and written
Receptive Language language. It involves the comprehension of words, sentences, and longer
passages of text, as well as the understanding of non-verbal cues such as
facial expressions and gestures.
Referral is the process of identifying a student who may have a disability
Referral or special educational need and recommending that they receive an
evaluation. Referrals can be made by teachers, parents, school staff, or
other individuals who are concerned about a student’s academic, social,
emotional, or behavioral development.
Reinforcement is a behavioral principle that involves increasing the
Reinforcement likelihood of a behavior occurring again by providing a consequence that
is desirable to the individual. In special or inclusive education,
reinforcement is often used to encourage positive behaviors and to
reduce or eliminate negative behaviors.
Response to Intervention is a multi-tiered system of support used in
Response to Intervention schools to identify and assist students who are struggling academically or
(RTI) behaviorally. RTI involves providing increasingly intensive levels of
intervention based on the student’s response to the instruction.

Self-help Skills Self-help skills, also known as adaptive living skills or independent living
skills, are the skills that individuals need to take care of themselves and to
function independently in daily life. In special or inclusive education, self-
help skills are an important area of focus for students with disabilities, as
they are essential for achieving independence and quality of life
Speech-language impairment is a communication disorder that affects a
Speech-Language person’s ability to use language effectively. It can involve difficulties with
Impairment (SLI) speech production (such as articulation, fluency, or voice), language
comprehension (such as understanding words, sentences, or stories), or
both.
Task analysis is a process of breaking down a complex task or skill into
Task Analysis smaller, more manageable steps. In special or inclusive education, task
analysis is often used to teach new skills to students with disabilities or to
help students with learning difficulties to complete tasks more
independently.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acquired brain injury that occurs when a
Traumatic Brain Injury sudden trauma or blow to the head causes damage to the brain. TBI can
result from a variety of causes, such as a fall, a car accident, a sports
injury, or an assault.