The DDS Definitions Appendix defines the terms and acronyms relevant to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) service delivery system.
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Abuse
The wrongful treatment of an individual which endangers his or her physical or emotional well-being, through the action or inaction of anyone, including, but not limited to, another individual, an employee, intern, volunteer, consultant, contractor, visitor, family member, guardian or stranger, whether or not the affected individual is, or appears to be, injured or harmed. The failure to exercise ones duty to intercede on behalf of an individual also constitutes abuse. (i.e. physical abuse; sexual abuse; psychological/verbal abuse; mistreatment; exploitation; and self-abuse.
Adaptive Behavior
The effectiveness or degree to which an individual meets the standards of personal independence and social responsibility expected for the individual’s age and cultural group.
Adult Protective Services
Located in the Department of Human Services the Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports alleging abuse, neglect and exploitation of frail elderly and disabled adults and intervenes to protect vulnerable adults who are at risks.
Advance Healthcare Directive
Clear and specific instructions prepared in advance by an individual with the capacity to make those decisions prior to treatment that identifies a substitute decision maker to act on his/ her behalf or directs a individual’s health-care/ treatment in the event that the individual becomes incompetent in the future.
Advocate
A person who represents the expressed interests of an individual through assisting, pleading their case, interceding on their behalf, etc. An advocate is a volunteer who may be appointed by a court order. The advocate is involved in guiding and assisting the individual towards self-reliance and every effort is made to facilitate their habilitation and to address their emotional, social and personal needs. A person who represents the expressed interests of an individual through assisting, pleading their case, interceding on their behalf, etc. An advocate is a volunteer who may be appointed by a court order. The advocate is involved in guiding and assisting the individual towards self-reliance and every effort is made to facilitate their habilitation and to address their emotional, social and personal needs.
Agency Providers
An agency that provides any of the services that promote services outlined in Definition F above.
AIMS—or—Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale
The AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) aids in the early detection of tardive dyskinesia. This simple checklist takes only 10 minutes to complete and uses a five-point rating scale for recording scores for seven body areas: face, lips, jaw, tongue, upper extremities, lower extremities, and trunk. It is used to monitor movement disorders for individuals taking any kind of antipsychotic medication. Aversive. The use of unpleasant, painful, uncomfortable or distasteful stimuli to try to change an individuals behavior. The use of aversive interventions is strictly prohibited in all programs funded or operated by DDS.
Anti-Deficiency Act
The DC Law which mandates that “no government officer or employee may authorize or create an obligation in excess of funds available or in advance of appropriations.”
Appeal
The procedure by which an applicant who has been determined to be ineligible for services may request a review of the determination.
Applicant
The individual for whom an application for services from DDS/DDA has been completed and submitted to the DDS/DDA/ Intake and Eligibility Determination Unit.
Appropriated funding
The Budget that has been approved by Congress and financed by general District Revenues and The Federal payment to The District.
Arm's length / Line of Sight
Forms of one to one staffing which must be documented in a behavioral support plan. Denotes the level of supervision an individual requires someone in the room, or someone in touching distance.
Assessment
Refers to the process of identifying an individual's specific strengths, developmental needs, and needs for services. This process should include identification of the individual's present developmental level and health status and, where possible, the cause of the disability; the expressed needs and desires of the individual and his or her family; the current known abilities, strengths and talents of the individual; and the environmental conditions that could facilitate or impede the individual's growth, development, and performance.
At risk Individual
An Evans class individuals classified medically fragile.
Attestation
To verify the use of attendance and cost data reflected in the cost report.
Aversive Practices
Unpleasant, painful, uncomfortable or distasteful stimuli used to alter a person’s behavior. The use of aversive interventions is strictly prohibited in all programs funded or operated by DDS, including but not limited to shock therapy, white noise and bitter tasting foods procedures.
Axis I Mental Disorder; Axis III
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR, published in 2000 by the American Psychiatric Association, a mental disorder is a "clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual...is associated with present distress...or disability...or with a significant increased risk of suffering " but that "...no definition adequately specifies precise boundaries for the concept of "mental disorder...different situations call for different definitions." Axis I Mental Disorders are classified in the DSM-IV-TR to refer to all mental disorders except Personality Disorders and Mental Retardation. Examples of Axis I disorders include, but are not limited to, schizophrenia, major depression, and other major affective disorders.