Glossary : N-S
A-B C-D E-G I-M T - Z
N
Natural Supports
Supports and resources provided in the community by family, friends, neighbors, and others who are not paid to provide such supports.
NDT - Neuro Developmental Treatment
A specific therapeutic technique to help a child gain more normal movement patterns.
Negative Reinforcement
A behavior that results in removing something that the person does not like. Because the behavior allows the individual to stop or remove something that is unwanted, the behavior is likely to occur again. For example, upon hearing loud music, a person turns down the radio to remove the stimulus hurting the person’s ears. Next time the person encounters a similar situation, the person is likely to turn the radio down again because it resulted in removing something that the person found aversive. See Escape Learning.
NISH
National Industries for the Severely Handicapped.
Nocturia
Excessive urination during the night.
Normalization
The process of making available to people with disabilities patterns of life which are as close as possible to typical circumstances and ways of life in society.
NOVA - New Opportunities that bring Valuable Alternatives
A parent-funded, DDRC program to help high functioning but isolated individuals with disabilities develop better connections to their community. NOVA further seeks to define the characteristics of staff members who are exceptionally successful in providing supports in community settings in order to train people in these characteristics and reward them in their successes.
Nuclear family
Siblings (brothers and sisters) and parents.
Nystagmus
Constant involuntary eye movement.
O
O’Hana Group Home
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
OAC
Office of Administrative Courts.
OBRA - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
A 1987 act that applies to eligible individuals residing in or moving from nursing facilities.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Therapist who uses purposeful activities to improve movement and coordination, visual perceptual skills, self-help skills, and reading skills. An OT is also trained to adapt equipment.
Ocular
Pertaining to the eye or vision.
Oculus
Eye.
Oculus dexter (OD) - The right eye.
Oculus sinister (OS) - The left eye.
Oculus uterque (OU) - Each eye.
OD - Oculus dexter
The right eye.
OHCDS
Organized Health Care Delivery System.
OIL – Opportunity in Living
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Olmstead Decision
Supreme Court decision affirming the right of individuals with disabilities to live in their community.
Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.
Oral Motor
Ability to move and coordinate structures of the mouth.
Oral Peripheral Exam
Examination of the mouth including lips, jaw, teeth, hard and soft palate and tongue. The exam involves assessing both structure and function or movement to determine adequacy for speech.
Orientation
The comprehension and adjustment of an individual to his or her environment. Refers to identity of persons, location and time. Orientation may also refer to training that new employees receive.
OS - Oculus sinster.
The left eye.
OSERS
The federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OU - Oculus uterque.
Each eye.
Otitis Media
Infection occurring in the middle ear.
P
P & A
Protection and Advocacy Agency.
PAC
Adult Vocational Services Parent Advisory Committee. A committee composed of individuals with children or relatives in the AVS program. The purpose of the committee is to promote the quality of life for individuals being served in the vocational program through supporting the development of activities that support choices and opportunities for community involvement, vocational training, and employment. This committee meets six times a year and has an annual meeting in the fall.
PAL - Personal Affordable Living, Inc.
This organization owns condominiums and townhomes that it rents at affordable prices to adults with developmental disabilities who want to live independently.
PAL Program - PCs for Aided Learning
This program refurbishs PCs and provides them to people with developmental disabilities and the families.
PAR - Prior Authorization Record
This report is generated monthly by the state Developmental Disabilities Service unit and sent to Community Centered Boards. PAR shows what services are authorized for persons enrolled in Medicaid funded waiver programs (residential, day, CMW) or Supported Living Services.
Parallel Play
Children playing beside each other, but not interacting to a great extent.
Parker Personal Care Homes
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Part C
That part of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which regulates infant and toddler services.
Partial Capitation
Reimbursement of specified services on a fee-for-service basis as opposed to paying for them as part of a capitation arrangement.
PASA
Program Approved Service Agency.
PASARR
Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Reviews.
PASS
The federal Plan to Achieve Self-sufficiency. A way for people who receive Social Security to set aside some of that money to help them achieve self-sufficiency without losing benefits.
PC
Perceptual communications or politically correct.
PCA - Personal Care Alternative
A residential program up to three people, designed to meet the unique needs of the individuals.
PCP
Primary Care Physician.
PDD - Pervasive Developmental Disorder
A broad category of disability that involves problems in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication. PDD is not a specific diagnosis but an umbrella term for several disorders and syndromes considered to be mental and/or behavioral disorders. Its major diagnosis is autism. PDD not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) refers to children who have autistic characteristics but do not formally qualify for the diagnosis.
PEAK - Parent Education and Assistance for Kids
A parent education group focused on special education law and regulation.
Peer Group
The group of intellectual, social and/or educational equals with which an individual associates.
Perception
The process by which sensory information is interpreted which gives experience or a given sensation meaning.
Perceptual Motor
Input (activities of sensory or visual nature) and output (activities of motor or muscular nature). The two are interrelated as parts of total activity.
Perceptual Motor Dysfunction
A condition when the central nervous system is unable to perceive and interpret visual and sensory input accurately and produces the appropriate motor response.
Performance Objective
An instructional task that has the following criteria: a) who will do it; b) under what circumstances; c) at what time; d) the standard acceptable; and e) how to measure attainment.
Peripheral Vision
Vision outside the central area of the retina. Side vision.
Perseveration
A behavior that continues even after the need for it no longer exists and is not appropriate. For example, the child may say, “I go, go, go, go, go, go.”
Person Centered Planning
Designing services and supports specifically around the individual needs and requests and based on what the individual already has in place that is working.
Personal Futures Plan
A plan that focuses on the dreams and desires of an individual and the quality of the person's life.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
A broad category of disability that involves problems in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication. PDD is not a specific diagnosis but an umbrella term for several disorders and syndromes considered to be mental and/or behavioral disorders. Its major diagnosis is autism. PDD not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) refers to children who have autistic characteristics but do not formally qualify for the diagnosis.
PETI - Post Eligibility Treatment of Income
Applies to Medicaid programs and involves the portion of financial responsibility of the person.
Phobia
Fear that is excessive.
Phonetic
An instructional approach to reading that stresses sounds of words in relation to their written representations. Science of speech pronunciation.
Photophobia
Intolerance to light.
Physical Skills
The ability to move, see, and hear.
Physical Therapist (PT)
Therapist who works with an individual, generally through exercise, to improve movement patterns.
Pica
A pattern of hording and eating non-food materials (rocks, grass, paper, etc.).
Pickle Amendment
Protects people receiving Old Age Pension (O.A.P.) from losing Medicaid due to cost of living increases in Social Security benefits.
Pivot Prone
The child lies on his stomach with neck, shoulders and hips off the floor. This position helps develop the muscles that oppose gravity.
PKU Test
Blood test performed soon after a child is born. The test detects phenylketonuria, which is a metabolic disorder that fails to oxidize amino acids and results in mental retardation.
PL
Public Law.
PL 101-476
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1990. Also known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This federal law amended and expanded The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. The act uses “people-first” language, replacing “handicapped children” with “individuals with disabilities” and the definition of those with disabilities was expanded. The law mandates special education services for children ages three to twenty-one and extends services for infants from birth to age two.
PL 108-446
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. IDEIA 2004 reauthorizes the IDEA and maintains the basic principles of the law, a free appropriate public education for all students with disabilities, in the least restrictive environment; however, there are many changes and modifications to the IEP process and other aspects of the identification and evaluation of students with disabilities.
PL 94-142
Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. A federal law growing out of and strengthening previous acts. This is the core of federal funding for special education. In 1990 this act was reauthorized and expanded under PL 101-476, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1990, and was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Planned Giving
A type of estate planning in which people decide to make a gift to an organization either during their lifetime or after their death. Planned gifts can be real estate, cash, stock, or other.
Platte River Industries, Inc.
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
PN
Personal Needs.
Position in Space
Special relationships of an observer to his or her environment. Perception of objects being to the side of, behind, before, above or below.
Positive Reinforcement
The immediate presentation of something rewarding following a behavior which increases that behavior, typically hugs, praise, food, special activities and prizes.
Power of Attorney: Health Care
Legal document used to appoint someone to make health care decisions for a person who is not able to do so.
Power of Attorney: Property
Legal document used to appoint someone to make property decisions, such as selling property or making important investment decisions for a person who is not able to do so. Power of Attorney is not the same as Guardianship.
PPD
A skin test used to detect tuberculosis.
Prehension
Physical grasp. The way in which the hand takes an object.
Program Approved Service Agency
An individual or any publicly or privately operated program, organization or business approved to provide services or supports for persons with developmental disabilities.
Program Manager
An employee who is responsible for overseeing designated programs, the individuals receiving services from those programs, and compliance with regulations.
Prone Position
Lying on the stomach.
Proprioception
Awareness of movement, posture, and changes in the equilibrium.
Psychoactive
Affecting the mental state, such as a drug that has that action.
Psychomotor
Physical and psychological aspects of activity.
Psychotropic Meds
Drugs which affect mental activity, behavior or perception. Psychotropic drugs include tranquilizers, sedatives, and anti-depressants.
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Punishment
Type One Punishment: Type One punishment procedures consist of presenting a stimulus contingent on a behavior which, in turn, decreases the behavior from occurring. Type One punishment is ILLEGAL to use with adults with developmental disabilities.
Type Two Punishment: Type Two punishment procedures consist of removing a stimulus contingent on a behavior which in turn decreases the behavior. Prior to using Type Two punishment procedures you MUST receive prior approval from the Human Rights Committee, with the exception of exclusionary time out which is illegal to use with adults with developmental disabilities.
Q
QLO - Quality Living Options
DDRC program offering residential services that range from minimum supports to 24-hour on-site supervision.
Quadruped
Hands and knees posture.
Quality Assurance
An organized set of activities intended to systematically ensure minimal safety of people receiving services and to encourage performance improvements.
Quality Life Service
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Quality of Life
The assessment of an individual’s meaningful relationships and activities from the individual’s point of view.
R
R&B Living Services
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
R-1
Jefferson County School District. (Reorganized District #1.)
RAM (computer term) - Random Access Memory
RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.
RBI - Routines Based Interview
A structured conversation that walks a family through each step of a typical day in their life. It identifies the family’s concerns for their child and facilitates goal writing.
RC
Resource Coordinator or Resource Coordination. See Resource Coordination.
Receptive Language
Ability to get meaning from reading, gesturing, listening, etc.
Reciprocal
Movement of the arms and/or legs in an alternating fashion.
Recreation
A leisure activity engaged in for the sake of refreshment.
Recreation Therapy
The use of recreational activity in a directed program in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of ill, disabled, and elderly persons.
Referral and Placement Committee (RPC)
An interdisciplinary or interagency committee authorized by a Community Centered Board or the Department of Human Services to make referral and placement recommendations for persons receiving services. CRS 27-10.5-102
Reflex
An involuntary response to a stimulus.
Rehabilitation
Process of restoring to useful activity a person who has been ill or who is disabled. Accomplished through education and therapy.
Rehabilitation Engineering
Involves the analysis of a job task or independent living activity that presents a problem to a disabled person and correction or reduction of this problem. Accomplished through adaptive jigs to help job performance, improved positioning, or highly technical solutions.
Reinforcer
Contingent consequences that strengthen behavior.
Related Services
Services as stated in the Education for Handicapped Children's Act which are required to assist a child with disabilities to benefit from special education.
Representative Payee
A person or organization that is authorized to cash and manage public assistance checks (Social Security, Supplemental Security Income) for a person deemed incapable of doing so.
Resident
An individual living in a DDRC residential facility.
Residential Services
Part of the Home and Community Based Services for the Developmentally Disabled is the residential care provided for under the waiver.
Resource Coordination
Services provided by resource coordinators of Community Centered Boards to assist in eligibility determination, IP development, the coordination of services and evaluation of services with maximum participation by the individual and his or her family, guardian or authorized representative. Often referred to as Resource Coordination or Service Coordination or Case Management.
Retracted Drums
Ear drums that are drawn in as a result of negative pressure in the middle ear.
RFP - Request for Proposal
Generally an RFP is issued to suppliers of an item or a service indicating a desire to purchase on behalf of the entity issuing the RFP. DDRC uses the RFP process to locate services for our consumers.
Ridge Home
Wheat Ridge Regional Center.
Righting Reactions
Reflex that enables a person to bring his or her head or body into a straight line.
RN
Registered Nurse.
Robert Weiland Center
A barrier-free program facility operated by DDRC located at 3636 South Independence, Lakewood, CO. Named in honor of Dr. Robert Weiland, esteemed special educator.
Rotation
Twisting of the body trunk.
Routines Based Interview (RBI)
A structured conversation that walks a family through each step of a typical day in their life. It identifies the family’s concerns for their child and facilitates goal writing.
RPC
Referral and Placement Committee.
RTD - Regional Transportation District
The Denver metro area public bus transportation system.
S
SA
See Service Agency. Also see Program Approved Service Agency.
Safety Control Procedure
A written, planned restrictive procedure regarding when and how staff would physically intervene to keep an individual and/or others around the individual safe. CDHS/DDS 1.2.37
Scoliosis
Curving of the spine.
Screening
Tools to determine if more extensive assessment needs to be completed.
SE
See Supported Employment.
SEA
State Education Agency.
SEAC - Special Education Advisory Council
An advisory council of parents to consult on special education issues.
Section 504
The section of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act amendments of 1973 that is generally referred to as the civil rights clause for people with disabilities.
Seizure
Unusual muscular or behavioral activity caused by abnormal brain impulses without purpose.
Self-concept
How an individual views himself or herself.
Self-determination
Activities which promote or allow for consumer choice and the ability of a consumer or family to use principles of freedom, authority, support and responsibility.
Self-directed Supports
Services funded by government but under the control and direction of the service user.
Seniors’ Resource Center
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Damage to the nerves in the ear that results in hearing loss.
Sensory
Information obtained from touch, pressure, pain, temperature, sight, smell, taste and movement.
Sensory Integration
The brain's ability to receive, organize and interpret sensory information. Sensory integration programs focus on assisting an individual to increase this capacity.
Sensory-Motor
In the development of a child, learning occurs through the interaction between the senses and muscular system. The child explores by touching, tasting, seeing, smelling, moving, hearing, etc.
SEP
Single Entry Process for service and support referral through local Department of Human Services.
SEPS
Special Education Preschool.
SERS
Special Education and Related Services.
Server (computer term)
A computer or device on a network that manages network resources. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic.
Service Agency
An individual or any publicly or privately operated program, organization or business providing services or supports for persons with developmental disabilities.
Service and Support
One or more of the following: education, training, independent or supported living assistance, therapies, identification of natural supports and other activities.
Service Provider Organization (SPO)
See Program Approved Service Agency.
Service Substitution
A process using a lower cost but equally effective service in place of a higher cost service.
Shalom Denver
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Shaping
A technique for teaching new behavior by reinforcing successive approximations to the goal behavior.
Sibling
A brother or sister.
SIED - Significant Identifiable Emotional Disorder
Term from the Colorado Department of Education Regulations referring to individuals with emotional involvement.
Sign Language
Means of communication that uses hand gestures as symbols for words.
Sillasen Select Services
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
SIS - Supports Intensity Scale
A psychometric tool created by AAIDD to evaluate practical support requirements of a person with an intellectual disability through a positive and thorough interview process.
SLC - Supported Living Consultant
An SLC assists individuals in getting their needs met through the Supported Living Services program.
SLIC - Significant Limited Intellectual Capacity
Term from the Colorado Department of Education regulations referring to mentally retarded individuals.
SLS - Supported Living Services
Provides services and supports tailored to the needs of the individual living in his or her own home or family home.
SMT - Senior Management Team
Department directors, executive directors, and senior managers of DDRC.
Social and Emotional Development
The ability to interact with others.
Socialization
The process whereby an individual acquires the knowledge, values, facility with language, social skills and social sensitivity that enables him or her to become integrated into and behave adaptively within a society.
Spatial Relationships
Perception of the relation of two or more objects to an individual and to each other.
Special Education
Specially designed instruction.
Special Needs (or Third Party) Trust
An individual, discretionary trust prepared for a person who has a disability. This is intended to supplement, not replace government benefits. A trustee must administer the funds; the person with a disability cannot have direct access to the funds. The trust should be irrevocable (cannot be changed) and be written by a lawyer specially trained in elder or Medicaid law.
Spectrum Community Services
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Speech and Language Pathologist
An individual with a Master’s Degree and certificate in speech and language pathology. Speech and language pathologists are qualified to diagnose speech, language, voice and fluency (stuttering) disorders and to plan and implement therapy programs.
Speech Language Therapist or Speech Therapist
An individual with a Master’s Degree and certificate in speech and language pathology. Speech and language pathologists are qualified to diagnose speech, language, voice and fluency (stuttering) disorders and to plan and implement therapy programs.
Splinter Skill
Accomplishment of a specific task under specific conditions. (Not able to do the task in all situations.)
Staffing (Placement) Review
Educational term meaning a meeting to plan a program for the student.
SPO
Service Provider Organization . Now called PASA – Program Approved Service Agency.
SSDI - Social Security Disability Income
Federal benefit program sponsored by the Social Security Administration. Primary factor: disability and/or benefits received from deceased or disabled parent, benefit depends upon money contributed to the Social Security program either by the individual involved and/or the parent involved.
SSI - Supplemental Security Income
Federal financial benefit program sponsored by the Social Security Administration.
Staffing (Placement) Review
Educational term meaning a meeting to plan a program for the student.
Starpoint Adult Services
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Stimulus
Anything internal or external that has some impact or effect on an individual such that behavior is modified in some detectable way.
STNR - Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
Bending of the neck causes bending of the arms and straightening in legs. Straightening of the neck causes straightening in the arms and bending in legs.
Strabismus
Eyes cannot move in unison due to lack of muscular coordination. Squinting.
Strapesius Reflex
The reflex which protects the ear from loud noises.
Strep
Term referring to a bacterial infection caused by the organism streptococcus that may be manifested by upper respiratory or skin symptoms. Strep is contagious.
Subcapitation
Used by Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to shift financial risk to provider agencies or provider networks.
Successor
One who follows another in a particular office. A successor guardian is named to follow the original guardian if the original person or institution can no longer hold office. A successor trustee takes over management of a trust after the initial trustee ceases to act. Families should name a number of successors to ensure someone will outlive the person with the disability.
Supine Position
Lying on the back.
Support Inc.
A contract agency eligible to serve persons with developmental disabilities within the DDRC service area.
Supported Employment
Paid employment for adults with developmental disabilities who, without long-term support, are not likely to succeed in a regular job.
Supported Living Services
Provides services and supports tailored to the needs of the individual living in his or her own home or family home.
SWAP
School to Work Alliance Project.
Symmetrical
Both arms or both legs move together.
Synergy
Abnormal patterned movement of an arm or leg caused by central nervous system damage.
