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.
Specially designed instruction is designed to ensure access to the general curriculum through modifications so that the student can meet the same academic standards as his/her non-disabled peers and to ensure progress toward meeting IEP goals and objectives.
Specially designed instruction (SDI) means adapting, as appropriate, to the needs of an eligible child under this part, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of a child that results from the child's disability; and to ensure access of the child to the general curriculum, so that he or she can meet the educational standards adopted by the State.
“Share of Cost” is the amount you agree to pay for health care before Medi-Cal starts to pay. This is called “meeting your share of cost.” Your Share of Cost is a set amount based on how much money you make. You only need to meet your Share of Cost in the months that you get health care services. After you meet your share of cost, Medi-Cal pays for your care the rest of that month.
A Special Needs Trust (SNT), sometimes called a Supplemental Needs Trust, is a legal arrangement in which a person or organization (like a bank) manages assets for a person with a disability. The person with the disability is called the “beneficiary” and the person who is managing the assets is the “trustee.” Many kinds of assets can be put into a trust, such as cash, stocks, bonds, and real estate.
Social Security administers the SSI program. They pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also qualify for SSI benefits. If you'd like to learn how to determine how much income is deemed from the parents to the disabled child as well as how to determine whether the disabled child qualifies for any SSI click here.
