There is a special kind of overwhelm that happens when you are already trying to support someone you love, and then somebody hands you a stack of papers full of letters.
IEP. ISP. IFSP. SSI. SSDI. NOW. COMP. SOURCE. DME. EKG. PD. SC. HRST. SIS.
And somehow, everybody in the room is talking like you were supposed to come preloaded with a disability-services decoder ring.
You were not.
Acronyms are supposed to make communication easier. But when families are new to disability services, special education, Medicaid waivers, medical appointments, adult support planning, or Social Security benefits, all those letters can make everything feel harder.
This guide is here to slow the room down.
Not to make you an expert overnight. Not to replace professionals who should be explaining this clearly. Just to give you a plain-language starting point so the next meeting, phone call, doctor visit, or paperwork packet feels a little less like alphabet soup.
Quick Correction: ISFP vs. IFSP
Before we go further, let’s clear up one common mix-up.
You may hear or see someone write ISFP, but in disability and early-intervention spaces, the term is usually IFSP, which stands for Individualized Family Service Plan.
An IFSP is a written plan for early intervention services for an infant or toddler with a disability and that child’s family. IDEA defines an IFSP as a written plan for providing early intervention services under Part C of the law.
Plain-language version: IFSP is an early-childhood support plan for very young children and their families.
One letter can change the whole meaning. Rude, but true.
Education and School Acronyms
IEP — Individualized Education Program
An IEP is a written plan for a child who qualifies for special education services through the public school system.
It may include the student’s current needs, annual goals, special education services, related services, accommodations, and how progress will be measured. IDEA defines an IEP as a written statement developed, reviewed, and revised for a child with a disability.
Plain-language version: An IEP is the school plan that says, “This student needs these specific supports to access education.”
IFSP — Individualized Family Service Plan
An IFSP is usually for infants and toddlers, often birth to age 3, who qualify for early intervention services.
The Office of Head Start describes an IFSP as a written plan created to meet the needs, concerns, and priorities of young children and their families. It includes outcomes, services, supports, and how services will be delivered.
Plain-language version: An IFSP is an early-intervention plan for a young child and their family.
504 Plan — Section 504 Accommodation Plan
A 504 Plan is connected to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal civil rights law that protects students with disabilities from discrimination.
The U.S. Department of Education explains that Section 504 helps ensure students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities.
A 504 Plan may include accommodations such as extra time, seating changes, medication access, elevator access, modified attendance support, sensory breaks, or other supports that help the student access school.
Plain-language version: A 504 Plan helps remove barriers so a student with a disability can access school more fairly.
IDEA — Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA is the federal special education law that makes a free appropriate public education available to eligible children with disabilities and ensures special education and related services.
Plain-language version: IDEA is the law behind IEPs and special education services.
FAPE — Free Appropriate Public Education
FAPE means Free Appropriate Public Education.
In plain language, FAPE means eligible children with disabilities have the right to an education that meets their disability-related needs — not just a seat in the room and a prayer.
LRE — Least Restrictive Environment
LRE means Least Restrictive Environment.
This asks whether a student with a disability can be educated with nondisabled peers as much as appropriate, with supports, before moving to a more separate setting.
Plain-language version: LRE asks, “Can this student be supported in a more inclusive setting first?”
Adult Disability and Support Planning Acronyms
ISP — Individualized Service Plan / Individual Support Plan
An ISP is often used in adult disability services, Medicaid waiver services, developmental disability services, and support planning.
Depending on the state or agency, ISP may stand for Individualized Service Plan, Individual Service Plan, or Individual Support Plan.
Plain-language version: An ISP is the adult support plan that helps organize what services a person needs, what goals they are working toward, and how support should happen.
An ISP may include:
- personal goals
- daily support needs
- health and safety needs
- communication needs
- community participation
- preferred routines
- support staff roles
- waiver services
- budget-related details
- what matters to the person
PCP — Person-Centered Plan OR Primary Care Physician
This one is annoying because PCP can mean two different things.
In disability planning, PCP may mean Person-Centered Plan.
In medical settings, PCP usually means Primary Care Physician.
Plain-language version: Always ask, “Do you mean the person-centered plan or the primary care doctor?” before assuming.
HCBS — Home and Community-Based Services
HCBS stands for Home and Community-Based Services.
Medicaid explains that home and community-based services can allow states to provide long-term services and supports in home and community settings instead of institutional settings.
Plain-language version: HCBS means support that helps someone live in their home or community instead of only in an institution.
I/DD — Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
I/DD stands for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
You may see this term in state services, Medicaid waiver materials, day programs, support coordination, disability organizations, and care-planning documents.
Plain-language version: I/DD is a broad term for intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities that affect daily life.
DD — Developmental Disability
DD usually means Developmental Disability.
A developmental disability usually begins during childhood or development and may affect learning, movement, communication, independence, behavior, or daily functioning.
Plain-language version: DD is a disability that begins during development and affects daily life long-term.
Georgia-Specific Waiver Acronyms
Georgia note: Waiver names vary by state. This section focuses on Georgia because Ribbon Life often has a Georgia and Atlanta-metro lens. Readers outside Georgia should check their own state Medicaid agency.
NOW — New Options Waiver
NOW stands for New Options Waiver.
Georgia.gov explains that the NOW and COMP waiver programs provide home- and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Plain-language version: NOW is a Georgia Medicaid waiver that can help people with I/DD receive services in home and community settings.
COMP — Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program
COMP stands for Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program.
Georgia.gov describes COMP as one of Georgia’s Medicaid waiver programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with COMP often connected to more intensive support needs.
Plain-language version: COMP is a Georgia Medicaid waiver for people with I/DD who may need more comprehensive support.
SOURCE — Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment
SOURCE stands for Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment.
Georgia.gov describes SOURCE as a waiver program that provides in-home and community-based services as an alternative to nursing home care. It serves frail, elderly, and disabled Georgians and provides coordinated services in the home or community.
Plain-language version: SOURCE is a Georgia Medicaid waiver option that helps eligible elderly or disabled adults receive coordinated support at home or in the community instead of nursing home care.
EDWP — Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
EDWP stands for Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program.
Georgia.gov says EDWP is administered through the Georgia Division of Aging Services and Area Agencies on Aging, and people can apply by contacting their Area Agency on Aging.
Plain-language version: EDWP is a Georgia Medicaid waiver pathway for eligible elderly or disabled people who need nursing-home-level support but want to remain in the community.
CCSP — Community Care Services Program
CCSP stands for Community Care Services Program.
CCSP is connected to Georgia’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program family. Georgia Medicaid explains that waiver programs help people who are elderly or have disabilities live in their home or community instead of an institution such as a nursing home.
Plain-language version: CCSP is a Georgia Medicaid waiver service option that helps eligible elderly or disabled people receive support at home or in the community instead of nursing home care.
DBHDD — Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
DBHDD is the Georgia state agency connected to behavioral health, developmental disability services, and many NOW/COMP waiver operations.
Georgia.gov notes that DCH administers Medicaid and oversees NOW and COMP waiver programs, while day-to-day operations are managed by DBHDD’s Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Plain-language version: DBHDD is one of the main Georgia agencies families may deal with for developmental disability services.
DCH — Georgia Department of Community Health
DCH is Georgia’s Medicaid agency.
Georgia.gov explains that DCH administers Medicaid and partners with DBHDD to operate NOW and COMP.
Plain-language version: DCH handles Georgia Medicaid administration. DBHDD handles much of the developmental disability service side.
GAMMIS — Georgia Medicaid Management Information System
GAMMIS stands for Georgia Medicaid Management Information System.
GAMMIS serves as Georgia Medicaid’s primary web portal for Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids®, and related waiver programs administered by DCH’s Medical Assistance Plans Division. It includes public and secure areas for members and providers.
Plain-language version: GAMMIS is the Georgia Medicaid website/system where Medicaid-related information, eligibility tools, provider information, claims, notices, manuals, and waiver-program resources may live.
Caregiver note: If someone says, “It’s in GAMMIS,” that may mean the information is inside Georgia Medicaid’s online system. Members and providers may not always see the same screens, because of course that would be too simple.
Georgia Waiver Support Terms
PD — Participant Direction
PD usually means Participant Direction.
In Georgia, Participant Direction is an option for people receiving NOW or COMP waiver services who meet certain requirements. DBHDD says people must have a NOW or COMP waiver, live in their own home or family home, choose a Financial Support Services provider, and work with a Support Coordinator so self-direction is reflected in the ISP and budget.
Plain-language version: Participant Direction means the person or their representative has more control over who provides services, how services are scheduled, and how certain waiver funds are used.
SC — Support Coordinator
SC means Support Coordinator.
Georgia DBHDD says Support Coordinators serve NOW and COMP waiver participants as long as they remain waiver recipients, with visits happening at least quarterly or monthly depending on requirements.
Plain-language version: A Support Coordinator helps connect the person’s plan, waiver services, providers, paperwork, goals, and support needs.
Caregiver note: Your support coordinator may not do everything for you, but they are often one of the first people to contact when services, providers, support needs, or ISP details change.
HRST — Health Risk Screening Tool
HRST stands for Health Risk Screening Tool.
DBHDD training materials describe the HRST as a tool developed to identify people with increased health risk and to provide early identification of people with deteriorating health. It can help the support team identify health risks that may need further assessment or professional services.
Plain-language version: The HRST is a screening tool that helps the team notice where someone may need closer medical attention, nursing input, safety planning, or follow-up.
Caregiver note: The HRST is not the same as a full medical exam. If the HRST flags a concern, the next step may be more questions, updated planning, or medical follow-up.
SIS — Supports Intensity Scale
SIS stands for Supports Intensity Scale.
Georgia DBHDD describes the SIS as an assessment tool that evaluates the practical support requirements of a person with a developmental disability and says providers use SIS to help define needs and goals in Individual Support Plans.
Plain-language version: The SIS helps measure how much support a person may need in different parts of daily life.
Caregiver note: SIS results can affect how support needs are understood on paper, so families should pay attention to whether the assessment reflects real life — not just the person’s best day, quietest day, or “they seemed fine in the meeting” day. Because whew. We know better.
Benefits and Insurance Acronyms
SSI — Supplemental Security Income
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income.
The Social Security Administration says SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources.
Plain-language version: SSI is disability-related or age-related financial support based partly on limited income and resources.
SSDI — Social Security Disability Insurance
SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance.
SSDI is connected to disability and work history. SSA explains that the number of work credits needed depends on the age when disability begins, and many adults need enough recent work credits to qualify.
Plain-language version: SSDI is disability insurance connected to a person’s work history and Social Security contributions.
SSA — Social Security Administration
SSA stands for Social Security Administration.
Plain-language version: SSA is the federal agency that handles Social Security benefits, including SSI and SSDI.
Medicaid
Medicaid is public health coverage for eligible people, often based on income, disability, age, pregnancy, family status, or other qualifying factors.
Medicaid may also connect to waiver services that help people receive long-term supports at home or in the community.
Plain-language version: Medicaid may cover medical care and, through waivers, some long-term supports.
Medicare
Medicare is federal health insurance usually connected to age, disability status, or certain medical conditions.
Plain-language version: Medicare may become part of the picture for some disabled adults, especially after SSDI eligibility.
QMB — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
QMB stands for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary.
QMB is one of the Medicare Savings Programs. CMS explains that the QMB group provides Medicare coverage of Part A and Part B premiums and cost sharing to low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare.gov says QMB can help pay Part A premiums, Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-covered services and items.
Plain-language version: QMB is Medicaid help for people who have Medicare and qualify financially. It can help cover certain Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Caregiver note: QMB is not the same as full Medicaid, SSI, or SSDI. It is a Medicare Savings Program. If someone has QMB and gets a bill for Medicare-covered cost sharing, that bill may need to be questioned.
Medical, Therapy, and Daily-Life Acronyms
DME — Durable Medical Equipment
DME stands for Durable Medical Equipment.
Medicare says Part B may cover medically necessary DME for eligible people, including certain equipment used for medical needs.
Examples may include:
- wheelchairs
- walkers
- hospital beds
- oxygen equipment
- certain bathroom safety equipment
- some positioning devices
Plain-language version: DME is medical equipment meant to be used repeatedly, often at home.
EKG / ECG — Electrocardiogram
EKG or ECG stands for electrocardiogram.
Plain-language version: An EKG/ECG is a heart test that records electrical activity in the heart. It is not a full diagnosis by itself.
OT — Occupational Therapy
OT stands for Occupational Therapy.
Plain-language version: OT helps with everyday function — feeding, dressing, sensory needs, fine motor skills, adaptive tools, home routines, and independence skills.
PT — Physical Therapy
PT stands for Physical Therapy.
Plain-language version: PT helps with movement, strength, balance, mobility, walking, pain, recovery, or physical function.
SLP — Speech-Language Pathologist
SLP stands for Speech-Language Pathologist.
Plain-language version: An SLP helps with speech, language, communication, swallowing, social communication, or communication tools.
AAC — Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Plain-language version: AAC includes tools that help someone communicate, such as picture boards, communication devices, apps, gestures, switches, or speech-generating devices.
ADL — Activities of Daily Living
ADL means Activities of Daily Living.
These are basic daily tasks like bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, transferring, and personal hygiene.
Plain-language version: ADLs are everyday care tasks that help show how much support someone may need.
IADL — Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
IADL means Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.
These are more complex life-management tasks like managing money, transportation, medication management, meal planning, shopping, phone use, and household tasks.
Plain-language version: IADLs are the grown-up life management tasks that often require planning, judgment, and support.
Behavior, Communication, and Support Acronyms
FBA — Functional Behavior Assessment
FBA stands for Functional Behavior Assessment.
Plain-language version: An FBA looks at why a behavior may be happening and what the person may be communicating through that behavior.
BIP — Behavior Intervention Plan
BIP stands for Behavior Intervention Plan.
Plain-language version: A BIP gives adults a plan for responding to behavior in a safer, more consistent, more supportive way.
DSP — Direct Support Professional
DSP stands for Direct Support Professional.
Plain-language version: A DSP is a support worker who helps a disabled person with daily life, community access, routines, safety, skill-building, or independence.
PCA — Personal Care Assistant / Personal Care Attendant
PCA usually means Personal Care Assistant or Personal Care Attendant.
Plain-language version: A PCA helps with personal care and daily support tasks.
ABA — Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis.
ABA is often discussed in autism services. It can be controversial because families and autistic people have had very different experiences with it. Some people report helpful skill-building support. Some autistic adults and advocates have raised serious concerns about compliance-focused approaches, trauma, loss of autonomy, or methods that prioritize convenience over the person’s emotional safety.
Plain-language version: If ABA is suggested, ask what the therapy actually looks like, who sets the goals, how consent is respected, and whether the approach supports the person — not just the convenience of others.
Questions to Ask When Someone Uses an Acronym
When someone says an acronym you do not understand, you are allowed to pause the conversation.
Try asking:
- “Can you say what that stands for?”
- “What does that mean in plain language?”
- “Is this a school term, medical term, Medicaid term, or benefits term?”
- “Does this apply to children, adults, or both?”
- “Is this required, optional, or just recommended?”
- “Who is responsible for updating this?”
- “Can I get that in writing?”
- “Is this specific to Georgia or does every state use this term?”
- “Where can I verify this information later?”
That last one matters. Especially with Medicaid waivers, eligibility rules, waitlists, and agency procedures.
Why Plain Language Matters
Acronyms are not just vocabulary words.
They often represent services, rights, deadlines, eligibility, funding, paperwork, care decisions, and access to support.
When families do not understand the language, it becomes easier to feel left out of decisions that directly affect their child, adult loved one, or themselves.
And let’s be honest: a lot of systems move fast when they are talking, but slow when families need actual help.
That is why plain language matters.
Families deserve to understand the forms they are signing. Disabled adults deserve to understand the plans being made with and about their lives. Caregivers deserve explanations that do not require a law degree, a medical degree, and three cups of coffee just to follow the meeting.
Although, let’s be real — the coffee may still be necessary.
Keep This as a Living Glossary
This guide is not complete, because disability life has more acronyms than a government printer has paper.
But it is a start.
You can save it, print it, add to it, bring it to meetings, or use it as a reminder that you are allowed to ask for plain language.
You are not behind because you do not know every acronym.
You are learning a system that should have been easier to understand in the first place.
📕📗📘📙
What acronym confused you the first time you heard it?
Drop it in the comments, send it to Ribbon Life, or save this post for your next meeting.
Because somebody else is probably sitting in a meeting right now pretending they understood what was just said.
Around here, we decode the alphabet soup. 🥣
