This is a glossary of common acronyms and abbreviations used with autism and SEND (Special Education Needs and Disability).
AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
ARB – Autism Resource Base
AS – Asperger Syndrome
ASAT – Autism Spectrum Assessment Team
ASC – Autistic Spectrum Condition
ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder
ASDOT – Autism Spectrum Disorder Outreach Team (now BAOT)
BAOT – Bristol Autism Outreach Team (formerly ASDOT)
BAS – Bristol Autism Support
BASS – Bristol Autism Spectrum Service
BPC – Bristol Parent Carers
CAF – Common Assessment Framework/Form
CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CCG – Clinical Commissioning Group
CCP – Consultant Community Paediatrician
CIC – Children in Care
CLA – Children Looked After
CP – Child Protection
CSA – Children’s Service Authority
CSW – Community Support Worker
CYP – Child and young people
DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service
DfE – Department for Education
DLA – Disability Living Allowance
EDAC – Early Development Assessment Centre
EFA – Education Funding Agency
EH – Early Help
EHCP – Education Health and Care Plan
EOTAS – Education other than at school
EP – Educational Psychologist
ES – Early Support
EWO – Education Welfare Officer
EY – Early Years
EYFS – Early Years Foundation Stage
FIS – Family Information Service
HFA – High Functioning Autism
HI – Hearing Impairment
ICT – Information and Communications Technology
IEP – Individual Education Plan
JC – Joint Commissioning
JSE – Joint Strategic Executive
LA – Local Authority (also Learning Assistant)
LO – Local Offer
MLD – Moderate Learning Difficulties
MSI – Multi-Sensory Impairment
ODD – Oppositional Defiance Disorder
OfSTED – Office for Standards in Education
OT – Occupational Therapy/Therapist
PD – Physical Disability
PDA – Pathological Demand Avoidance
PIP – Personal Independence Payment
PMLD – Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties
PP – Pupil premium
PR – Parental Responsibility
PT – Physiotherapy/Physiotherapist
S&L – Speech and Language
SALT – Speech and Language Therapist or Therapy
SALT/SLT – Speech & Language Therapy/Therapist
SC – Social Care
SCIN – Social, Communication and Interaction Needs
SEN – Special Educational Needs
SENCo – Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
SEND IASS – Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (independent service)
SFA – Schools Funding Agency
SLCN – Speech, Language and Communication Needs
SLD – Severe Learning Difficulties
SPD – Sensory Processing Disorder
SpLD – Specific Learning Difficulty
TA – Teaching Assistant
TAC – Team Around the Child
TAF – Team around the Family
VI – Visual Impairment