Abduction
movement away from body proximal - close to body toward the center.
Adduction
movement toward the body - bringing joints together.
Aspiration
taking foreign matter such as vomit into the lungs when breathing or inhaling.
Assistive technology
umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.
Atonic
relating to lack of muscle tone or tension (used interchangeably with hypotonic).
Augmentative communication device
umbrella term that encompasses methods of communication for those with impairments or restrictions on the production or comprehension of spoken or written language. AAC systems are extremely diverse and depend on the capabilities of the user. They may be as basic as pictures on a board that the user requests food, drink, or other care with; or they can be advanced speech generating devices based on speech synthesis that are capable of storing hundreds of phrases and words.
Bacterial meningitis
infection of the membrane that surrounds the brain or spinal cord.
Cerebral
refers to the cerebrum, an area of the brain that is affected.
Contractures
chronic loss of joint motion due to structural changes in muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Distal
located away from the center of the body.
Dorsi-flexion
the foot pointed upward.
Eversion
the foot turns outward.
Extension
straightening out of a joint (away from body).
External rotation
turning away from body.
Flexion
bent or shortened.
Gait
manner or style of walking.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) - also known as acid reflux
is chronic symptoms or damage caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus (throat).
Hypertonic
increased muscle tone or tension.
Hypotonia
low or diminished muscle tone or tension.
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
written document created by a team of professionals and the parents that outlines the supports and services a child with a disability and their family will receive.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
federal law ensuring children with disabilities a free and appropriate public education.
Internal rotation
turning toward the body.
Inversion
the foot turning inward.
Nasopharyngeal regurgitation
loss of food or liquid through the nose.
Non-progressive
the condition or disability will not get worse.
Oral motor dysfunction
inability to use the oral mechanism for functional speech or feeding, including chewing, blowing, or making specific sounds.
Orthotics
devices used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve the function of joints, bones or associated muscles.
Otolaryngologist
physician trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. They are commonly referred to as ENT physicians.
Palsy
refers to the disorder of movement characteristic of persons with CP
Perinatally
occurs or exists during birth.
Plantar flexion
the foot pointed down.
Postnatally
occurs or exists after birth.
Prenatally
occurs or exists before birth.
Prone
lying on the stomach or face down.
Pulmonary specialist
physician who possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases.
Related services
services to help children with disabilities benefit from their special education by providing extra help and support in needed areas, such as speaking or moving. Related services can include, but are not limited to, any of the following: speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes, school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training.
Scoliosis
condition characterized by a sideways (lateral) curvature of the spine.
Supine
on the back or lying face up.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
an injury to the brain caused by an external (outside) force.

The Teaching Research Institute | 345 N. Monmouth Ave. | Monmouth, OR 97361 | Voice: 503-838-8785 | Fax: 503-838-8150
To increase font size, click "Control" and "+" for PC, "Command" and "+" for MAC.