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
Contact us for support
If you are the parent or carer of an autistic child (diagnosed or suspected) and would like to speak with one of the team, please ring our helpline on 07835727394 or email helpline@bristolautismsupport.org
