Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are the things we normally do in daily living including any daily activity we perform for self-care (such as feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming), work, homemaking, and leisure. ⁵⁷

Angelman Syndrome is a neuro-genetic disorder characterized by intellectual and developmental delay, sleep disturbance, seizures, jerky movements especially hand-flapping, frequent laughter or smiling, and usually a happy demeanor. ⁵⁹

Aphasia also known as rhymnasia, is a loss of the ability to produce and/or comprehend language, due to injury to brain areas specialized for these functions. ⁶¹

Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by loss of the ability to execute or carry out learned purposeful movements, despite having the desire and the physical ability to perform the movements. It is a disorder of motor planning which may be acquired or developmental, but may not be caused by lack of coordination, sensory loss, or failure to comprehend simple commands. ⁶³

see Seizures

Audiologist is a healthcare professional specializing in identifying, diagnosing, treating and monitoring hearing or balance problems. ⁶⁵

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a communication aid or device developed or adapted for use by people with severe disorders of speech-language production and/or comprehension, including spoken and written modes of communication. ⁶⁷

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a standardized protocol for assessing social and communicative behavior associated with autism. The protocol consists of a series of structured and semi-structured tasks that involve social interaction between the examiner and the subject. ⁶⁹

Casein is the predominant phosphoprotein that accounts for nearly 80% of proteins in cow milk and cheese. ⁷¹

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive, non-contagious conditions that cause physical disability in human development. ⁷³

Chromosome15 Duplication Syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder. Symptoms may be similar to Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes and range from asymptomatic cases to variable combinations of skeletal, neurological, gastrointestinal, psychological, and other abnormalities in association with developmental delay. ⁷⁵

Clinical Features are directly observed during examination; based on or characterized by observable and diagnosable symptoms of disease. ⁷⁷

Cognitive Skills are any mental skills that are used in the process of acquiring knowledge; these skills include reasoning, perception and judgment. ⁷⁹

Complete Blood Count (CBC) lab test reporting number of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit & other values reflecting overall blood health. ⁸¹

Computed Axial Tomography (CT) is a medical imaging method employing tomography. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. It was later known as computed axial tomography (CAT or CT scan). ⁸³

Declarative Language is used to communicate what the mind is producing. It is what is most common in conversation, whereas Imperative Language is used to ask questions, make commands or give instructions. ⁸⁵

Developmental Individual Difference Relationship (DIR) is therapy, known as Floortime, which seeks to move the child toward increasingly complex interactions through mutually shared engagement. ⁸⁷

Developmental Pediatrician is a medical doctor who is board-accredited and has received sub-specialty training in developmental-behavioral pediatrics. ⁸⁹

Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) is a technique incorporating principles of ABA, including positive reinforcement. Not in itself ABA. Used to teach behaviors in one-to-one setting. Concepts are broken down into small parts. ⁹¹

Early Intervention (EI) is a state-funded program designed to identify and treat developmental problems or other disabilities as early as possible. Eligibility for EI is from birth to three years of age. ⁹³

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp produced by the firing of neurons within the brain. In neurology, the main diagnostic application of EEG is in the case of epilepsy, as epileptic activity can create clear abnormalities on a standard EEG study. ⁹⁵

Esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus. ⁹⁷

Expressive Language is communication of intentions, desires, or ideas to others, through speech or printed words. Includes gestures, signing, communication board and other forms of expression. ⁹⁹

Floortime uses a framework based on developmental approaches, individual differences, and relationships. It targets autism's core impairment of social reciprocity with a variety of therapies, including sensory-motor, language, social functioning, occupational, and speech therapy, along with family support and floortime play sessions; the therapies are tailored to the individual child. ¹⁰²

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is an educational right of children with disabilities in the United States that is guaranteed by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). FAPE is defined as an educational program that is individualized to a specific child, designed to meet that child's unique needs, provides access to the general curriculum, meets the grade-level standards established by the state, and from which the child receives educational benefit. ¹⁰¹