Dictionaries and Glossaries of EI/ECSE Terms
We maintain an Acronym List of terms as a reference to the often confusing alphabet soup of agency, organization, and program names. Please send any acronyms you feel may be missing from the list to ectacenter@unc.edu. To find additional acronyms and abbreviations, go to the 
Acronym Finder. See also, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities' (AUCD's) acronym dictionary.
This page provides a list of resources that contain definitions of early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) terms. A number of these are available online.
DEC Recommended Practices: A Comprehensive Guide for Practical Application in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education.
(2005). Sopris West.
Provides guidance on effective practices for young children with disabilities, their families, and the personnel who serve them. After an introductory section, chapters describe recommended practices in the following areas: (1) assessment; (2) child-focused practices; (3) family-based practices; (4) interdisciplinary models; (5) technology applications; (6) policies, procedures, and systems change; and (7) personnel preparation. Each of these chapters contains a glossary of terms used and there is a combined glossary at the end of the book.
Dictionary of Developmental Disabilities Terminology - Third Edition
(2011). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Provides clear, concise, and trustworthy definitions of thousands of disorders, assessment tools, theories, anatomical terms, medications, interventions, diagnoses, professional organizations, and more.
The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology
(2006). Woodbine House.
Defines hundreds of medical, therapeutic, and educational terms commonly used in the early intervention field. This new edition reflects changes in the field: new research, educational approaches, and treatments, as well as new terminology. It is designed to help parents and the many different professionals in the early intervention field understand one another and successfully collaborate.
Special Education Dictionary
(2012). LRP Publications.
Contains definitions of terms used in the special education field, including terms that are relevant to IDEA 2004 and the 2006 IDEA Part B regulations, such as resolution sessions, response to intervention (RTI), serious bodily injury. The dictionary also covers topics such as: the No Child Left Behind Act; childhood disabilities and diseases; general legal terms relevant to special education law; diagnostic instruments used in evaluations; and more.
Available Online
Autism Video Glossary
(updated 2012) Autism Speaks, First Signs, and Florida State University's Autism Institute
This free web-based tool is designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the signs, diagnostic features, and terminology associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It contains more than 100 video clips that illustrate the subtle differences in behaviors that are typical in contrast with those that are red flags for ASD. Sections include an overview of ASD, social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviors and restricted interests, regulatory and sensory systems, and treatment interventions.
Early Childhood Education Professional Development:Training and Technical Assistance Glossary
(2011). NAEYC and NACCRRA.
Early Childhood Education Professional Development: Adult Education Glossary
(2011). NAEYC and the Alliance of Early Childhood Teacher Educators.
These glossaries provide terminology and definitions related to early childhood professional development (PD): training, technical assistance and adult education. They were developed for those who provide PD, state policy makers, early education advocates, and program administrators working to connect PD activities and initiatives.
Finding Help for Young Children with Disabilities (Birth-5): Parent's Guide 2
(updated March 2005). NICHCY.
This online parent guide contains definitions of terms commonly used early in intervention and early childhood special education. The definitions are not necessarily endorsed by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
Glossary of Child Welfare Terms
(retrieved February 2013). Child Welfare Information Gateway.
This Glossary identifies commonly held definitions for terms that can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website. It defines common acronyms and includes links to information on major Federal legislation and related child welfare terms. Also available: Child Welfare Terms, English to Spanish and Términos del bienestar de menores, Del español al inglés
Glossary of Policy & Advocacy Terms:A Guide to the ABCs and Acronyms of the Infant-Toddler Policy Process
(2008). ZERO TO THREE.
This online glossary from ZERO TO THREE defines commonly used federal and state legislative terms and acronyms, and effective advocacy terms and techniques for those in the infant-toddler field.
Glossary of Terms Related to English Language Learners
(2005) (downloaded 2/17/11). Head Start Bulletin #78: English Language Learners.
This glossary contains terms related to the education of young linguistically and culturally diverse children. It comes from the AskNCELA glossary 
(PDF: 364kb) , published by the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs.
MCH Thesaurus
(2005). Maternal and Child Health Library.
The 3rd edition of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Thesaurus provides the MCH professional community with a standard vocabulary that serves as a tool for indexing and retrieving materials in any MCH research center, library, or special collection. This edition consists of an introduction; alphabetical list of terms; a rotated list of terms; a set of subject categories; and a search function to search MCHLine for specific terms.
Navajo Glossary of Early Childhood Special Education
(retrieved February 2013). University of New Mexico, Center for Development and Disability.
This online glossary provides definitions of terms frequently used in early childhood special education. It includes the Navajo translations for each term, as well as audio access to spoken pronunciations.
Online Dictionary of Special Education Terms
(retrieved February 2013). The IRIS Center.
This online dictionary from the IRIS Center contains terms related to the field of special education and includes a helpful cross-referencing feature.
OSEP Spanish Glossary
(2011). Region 1 Parent Technical Assistance Center.
This Spanish glossary of educational terms related to the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the result of the collective and collaborative efforts of 18 Parent Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). It was developed to ensure that IDEA terms used in documents for parents are translated in a uniform and comprehensible way across states, geographical regions, and communities of Spanish speakers.
Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors
(retrieved February 2013). Education Resources Information Center (ERIC).
The Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors is the master list of more than 10,000 terms or subject headings used in indexing and searching the ERIC (Educational Resources and Information Center) Database.
