So Many Terms. So Little Time.
Every service, disability, therapy, and resource seems to have some clunky acronym represent it. Here's an ever-growing list of terms and services you'll hear and read about the most when navigating the world of special needs care. You can search by letter or by using the search bar below.
The term deeming is used to identify the process of considering another person's income to be the child's own. When the deeming rules apply, it does not matter whether the income of the other person is actually available to the child, as the rules must be applied nonetheless.
The Developmental Disabilities Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver is often referred to as the DD Waiver. The DD Waiver provides services for children and adults in their homes and communities, not in more restrictive and expensive institutional settings. It allows children and adults with developmental disabilities to receive services in the places where they live.
The California Department of Developmental Services is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability, a characteristic facial appearance, and weak muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy. All affected individuals experience cognitive delays, but the intellectual disability is usually mild to moderate.
Due process is the legal method you can use to formally disagree with a school. You must file a written complaint to begin the process. The complaint could have to do with your child’s eligibility for special education services or the types of services he or she receives.