A-Z Guide

Adapted Physical Education (APE)
Adapted physical education is a modified physical education class that is tailored to meet the individual needs of the students. This modified instruction usually occurs as a separate class. In our district, this class may be taught jointly with the physical therapist and the regular physical education teacher. Adapted physical education is a related service.
Administrative Code 6A:14

Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the applied research of behavior from a natural science perspective. It is one of four domains of behavior analysis: the philosophy of behavior analysis, basic research, applied research, and practice guided by the science. ABA provides the technology for application in a wide range of settings from individuals with autism to organizational improvement.

Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology (AT) is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

Auditorily Impaired (AI)
Auditorily Impaired is a full or partial decrease in the ability to detect or understand sounds. Caused by a wide range of biological and environmental factors, loss of hearing can happen to any organism that perceives sound. New Jersey Department of Education information for Auditorily Impaired students.

Autism
Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects an individual in the areas of social interaction and communication. Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects each individual differently and varying degrees of severity. As many as 1.5 million Americans-children and adults- are thought to have autism today.

Behaviorist
The district has behaviorists on staff to address the behavioral needs of a student. The Behaviorist can be called in to perform a functional analysis of the student's behavior. The behaviorist can develop a plan to encourage appropriate behavior and/or improved attentiveness so that the student is more available for learning. The Behaviorist will train staff to utilize these strategies and monitor/adjust the plan as needed.

Reevaluation

Reevaluation is a multi--step process of reviewing information, deciding whether or not more information is needed and, if necessary, conducting assessment(s) to gather that information. Reevaluation allows the IEP team to make educational decisions about a student's continued eligibility for special education services and the appropriate program and placement.

 

Referral

Referral is the written request for an initial evaluation to determine whether or not a student is eligible for special education and related services. The request is made to the Child Study Team (CST), the principal, the school guidance counselor or the director of special services.

 

Related Services

Related services are based upon the child's needs and are incorporated into the IEP. Related services include, but are not limited to: transportation, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy and medical support. 

Sensory Integration (SI)

Sensory integration is the normal neurological process of taking in information from one's body and environment through the senses, organizing and unifying this information, and using it to plan and execute adaptive responses to different challenges in order to learn and function smoothly in daily life.

 

Speech and Language Therapy

Treatment to help a student develop or improve articulation, communication skills, and oral-motor skills. Speech and Language Therapy is a related service.