Glossary of Autism Spectrum Disorder Terms and Acronyms
The following glossary includes terms and acronyms that you may come across relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related topics.
If you come across a term or acronym that is not listed, please let us know
| Term or Acronym | Definition |
| ABA | Applied Behaviour Analysis |
| ATSS | Adult Training Support Service |
| ASD | Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder | A developmental condition affecting three main areas – the ability of the individual to communicate, to socialise and to think flexibly or imaginatively |
| Case management | Also called service coordination: assistance from a case manager/service coordinator, who helps individuals with disabilities and families to deal with the complexities of the health care system. |
| CRU | Community Residential Unit – Service providing supported accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Now replaced by Shared and Supported Accommodation |
| Day Service | Service providing a safe environment for individuals with disabilities and special needs |
| DHS | Department of Human Services |
| DEECD | Department of Education and Early Childhood Development |
| DSM-IV | The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Version IV, a US manual produced by the American Psychiatric Association to try to unify language related to mental disorders. |
| ID | Intellectual Disability |
| ISP | Individual Support Package: disability services funds allocated to a person to meet their disability-related support needs. |
| OSP | Office of the Senior Practitioner (used to be the Intellectual Disability Review Panel – IDRP) |
| RDI | Relationship Development Intervention |
| Respite | Care provided to an individual with special needs so that their carer(s) can take a break |
| SDS | Special Developmental School |
| Shared & Supported Accommodation | (Replaced CRU) A program aiming to provide high quality supported housing in the community where up to 5 people with disabilities share housing and are provided with supports such as household management, self-care, personal hygiene and participation in activities. |
| Triad of impairments | The three areas affected in a person with an ASD – communication, social skills and imaginative thought |