Below is a list of common abbreviations used within the private special education community in Virginia.
| ADHD | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
| ASD | Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| CAPE | Council for American Private Education |
| CARF | Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities |
| COA | Council on Accreditation |
| CPMT | Community Policy Management Team |
| CSA | Comprehensive Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families |
| DBHDS | (Virginia) Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities |
| DD | Developmental Delay |
| ED | Emotional Disability |
| ESEA | Elementary and Secondary Education Act |
| FAPT | Family Assessment Planning Team |
| ID | Intellectual Disability |
| IDA | International Dyslexia Association |
| IDEA | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
| IEP | Individual Education Plan |
| LD | Learning Disabled |
| LDSS | Local Department of Social Services |
| LEA | Local Education Agency/Authority |
| MATY | Medication Administration Training for Youth |
| MD | Multiple Disabilities |
| NAIS | National Association of Independent Schools |
| NAPSEC | National Association of Private Special Education Centers |
| NCASES | National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Education Services |
| OCS | Office of Comprehensive Services |
| OHI | Other Health Impaired |
| OT | Occupational Therapy |
| PT | Physical Therapy |
| PTSD | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder |
| SEA | State Education Agency/Authority |
| SEC | State Executive Council |
| SLAT | State and Local Advisory Team |
| SLI | Speech/Language Impairment |
| USDOE | United States Department of Education |
| VAIS | Virginia Association of Independent Schools |
| VCASE | Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education |
| VCOPPA | Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations |
| VCPE | Virginia Council for Private Education |
| VDOE | Virginia Department of Education |
| VDSS | Virginia Department of Social Services |
