Boone County

Adaptive Development/Self Help - Skills (such as feeding and dressing) that persons develop to allow them to take care of themselves and become independent.

Advocate – Someone who takes action to help someone else.

Ambulation – To move or walk from place to place.

Articulation – The movements of the speech organs to produce a particular speech sound.

Assessment – The process used by appropriate qualified personnel to determine a person’s capabilities and unique needs.

Assistive Technology – An item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of an individual who has a disability.

Audiology Services – Services related to a person’s ability to hear.

Behavior Disorders – Any of a group of anti-social behavior patterns occurring primarily in children and adolescents.

Behavior Management/Modification – A way of dealing with problem behaviors in a planned or systematic way.

Cognitive Development – Skills that children develop that allow them to think, learn, problem solve, and remember.

Communication Development – Skills that individuals develop that allow them to tell others what they think, feel, want, or need. Signs, gestures (such as looking and pointing), and speaking are all means of communication.

Concerns – Areas that an individual or family members identify as needs, issues, or problems they want to address as part of the IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) or ISP (Individualized Service Plan).

Counseling – Advice, help, or support given by a qualified person (usually someone specially trained to do this).

Developmental Delay – When a child’s growth or skill development is slower than that of most other children the same age.

Developmental Milestones – Things an infant does while getting older, such as sitting up, saying a first word, walking, etc...

Disability – An impairment associated with a person’s limitations in everyday activities.

DSM IV – An abbreviation for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders used for diagnosing psychological conditions.

Due Process – The family’s right to have a formal review of disagreements about services they or their child are eligible to receive by law. Also referred to as Resolution of Individual Child Complaint.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) – Special Education and related services for children ages 3-5 years. In Missouri, these are provided by, or under supervision of the local public school systems.

Early Intervention Services – Services to help families with young children, ages birth to 3 years, with special needs.

Evaluation – The overall gathering and analysis of information related to an individual’s unique needs.

Expressive Language – The words a person says and/or uses.

Fine Motor Skills – Skills individuals develop that rely on the use of small muscles (such as holding materials, turning knobs, snapping buttons).

Gross Motor Skills – Skills individuals develop that rely on the use of large muscles (such as crawling, sitting, walking).

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) – The federal legislation requiring special education for all school-aged children and youth with disabilities. The law also authorized a number of technical assistance and training services.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) – A written document that lists the special education and related services an eligible child will receive to ensure a free and appropriate public education.

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) – A process used to plan services for a child and his/her family eligible for the First Steps Program. The process involves a joint planning effort between parents and professionals. The written document lists the early intervention services a child needs in order to grow and develop, and the early intervention services the family needs in order to help their child grow.

Individualized Service Plan (ISP) – A process used to plan services for an individual eligible for services through the Department of Mental Health. The process involves a joint planning effort between the individual, family, professionals and other concerned persons. The written document lists the services the individual needs in order to learn new skills and be as independent as possible.

Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) – A community group of people that includes early intervention agencies, parents, and other interested parties committed to young children and their families. This group works to support all local early intervention efforts.

Mandated – Required by law to be provided to eligible persons.

MPACT (Missouri Parents Act) – Provides information and workshops to parents on the IEP process, education rights and communication strategies.

Multidisciplinary Evaluation – An assessment process that determines a child’s eligibility for First Steps services. It provides a description of the child’s development and services as a basis for developing an initial IFSP. It may include specialists from a variety of backgrounds.

Natural Environment – A community setting typical for same age peers without disabilities. Natural environments may include, but are not limited to, the child’s home, play group, and child care facilities.

Occupational Therapy – Services provided by a qualified occupational therapist who helps individuals develop fine motor skills, such as writing, using buttons and zippers, and holding small objects.

Outcome – A statement of the changes that family members want to see for their child or themselves.

Part C – A component of IDEA which allows states to establish a system of early intervention services for children with special needs from birth to three and their families.

Physical Therapy – Services provided by a qualified physical therapist who helps individuals develop gross motor skills such as walking, running, and sitting.

Prenatal – The time before birth.

Receptive Language – Words that are understood by an individual.

Resources – The strengths, abilities, and supports that a family can use to meet its needs. These may be formal or informal.

Service Coordination – Activities carried out by a service coordinator to assist and enable an eligible individual to receive rights, procedural safeguards and services.

Special Instruction/Developmental Therapy – Education and learning services provided by First Steps for eligible children ages birth to three. The services are provided in the home or in a center by a specialist trained in the education of those with special developmental or behavioral needs.

Speech/Language Therapy – Services provided by a qualified speech therapist/pathologist who helps identify and work with individuals to develop communication skills that can affect the person’s ability to make sounds. These skills may include swallowing and breathing techniques.

Transition – Moving from one service provider to another. A major transition for children with special needs and their families occurs when the child turns 3 and is no longer eligible for First Steps. The child must then begin receiving services from the public school Early Childhood Special Education Program, if eligible, or from other service providers in the community. Another major transition for youth with special needs occurs in Junior High and High School as they prepare to leave the public school system and enter the work force or begin receiving support from another service provider.

Unique Developmental Needs – Aspects of a child’s functioning that hamper his/her attainment of age-appropriate developmental milestones.

SOURCE: BOONE COUNTY GROUP HOMES & FAMILY SUPPORT (573-874-1995)

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		University of Missouri Extension Boone County booneco@missouri.edu Updated 06/30/08