A Glossary of Support Terms

When your child needs support, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar terms, acronyms, and clinical language. We’ve been there. That’s why we created this glossary to offer clear, parent-friendly definitions that help you feel more informed and less alone.

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Making Sense of Diagnoses and Differences

Terms that describe how children experience the world — and how to better support them.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - A condition that affects focus, impulse control, and activity levels. Often shows up as difficulty sitting still, following instructions, or staying organized.

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) - A type of eating disorder where a child avoids or restricts food. Not about body image, but often tied to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or trauma.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - A developmental difference that can impact communication, social interaction, and behavior. Called a spectrum because every child experiences it differently.

Disordered Eating - Irregular eating behaviors that may include food refusal, extreme pickiness, or anxiety around eating. May or may not meet criteria for a formal diagnosis.

Executive Functioning - The set of skills that help with planning, organizing, managing time, and regulating emotions. Commonly supported through coaching or therapy.

Sensory Processing - How the brain takes in and responds to information from the senses. Some kids may be overly sensitive (to noise, light, textures); others may seek more input (like movement or pressure).

Neurodivergent / Neurodiversity - Describes people whose brains function differently — including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. A strengths-based term that affirms difference, not deficit.

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Evaluations and School-Based Support

The tools and plans that help identify needs and provide help in educational settings.

Assessment / Evaluation - A formal process used to understand a child’s strengths and needs. May involve developmental, psychological, or speech assessments.

Early Intervention (EI) - Support services for children from birth to age 3 showing signs of developmental delay. Often state-funded and includes services like OT, speech, and developmental therapy.

IEP (Individualized Education Program) - A legal plan developed through a child’s school that outlines specialized learning goals and services for students with qualifying disabilities.

504 Plan - A school-based plan that provides accommodations to help students with disabilities access learning. Less comprehensive than an IEP but still supportive.

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Therapies and Services That Can Help

The professionals and practices that support children and their families in everyday life.

Occupational Therapy (OT) - Helps kids develop everyday skills — from fine motor coordination and handwriting to emotional regulation and sensory integration.

Speech Therapy (Speech-Language Pathology) - Supports children with speech, language, social communication, or fluency challenges (like stuttering).

Feeding Therapy - Helps children who struggle with eating due to sensory issues, oral-motor challenges, or anxiety around food.

Behavioral Therapy - Uses structured strategies to support positive behavior and reduce challenges. Often includes tools for routines, rewards, and emotional regulation.

Talk Therapy - Counseling that helps kids express emotions, manage anxiety, and build coping skills through conversation with a trained therapist.

Play Therapy - A developmentally appropriate approach that uses play to help children explore emotions, solve problems, and process life experiences.

Developmental Therapy - Targets multiple areas of delay — such as communication, motor skills, and social interaction — especially in young children.

Executive Function Coaching - Supports planning, organization, time management, and attention through individualized skill-building and strategies.

PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) - A therapy model that strengthens the parent-child relationship while helping reduce behavior challenges through coached interactions.

Family Therapy - Involves multiple family members working together with a therapist to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and navigate challenges.

Pediatric Psychologist - A licensed professional who provides evaluations and therapy for children facing emotional, behavioral, or developmental concerns.

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Know a term we should add?

This is a growing glossary — just like the kids we’re here to support. If there’s a term you wish someone had explained to you earlier, let us know and we’ll do our best to include it.