Autism Glossary

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F

Facilitated communication: A controversial method of communication that uses the aid of another person for physical and emotional support.

FAPE: See Free Appropriate Public Education.

Fiber: The indigestible part of carbohydrates, essential to the digestive process.

Fine Motor (Skills): Relating to the use of the small muscles of the body; such as those in the hands, feet, fingers, and toes.

Activities that require the coordination of smaller body muscles, especially those of the hand, such as writing and drawing.

Flapping: The movement of the hand and forearm by a child or adult with autism that mimics a wave but occurs due to overstimulation, either physically or emotionally.

Folic Acid: A vitamin found naturally in leafy green vegetables, nuts, and organ meats that is important in the formation of red blood cells and in the production of DNA.  Also called folate.

Formal Complaint: Under IDEA, the means by which a parent or legal guardian can object to any aspect of his or her child's special education or related services.

Fragile X Syndrome: A condition caused by a mutation in the genetic information on the X chromosome. (The X chromosome is one of the two so-called sex chromosomes; children with two X chromosomes are girls, and those with an X and a Y chromosome are boys.) Fragile X often causes mental retardation or learning disabilities, language difficulties, distinctive physical characteristics, and sometimes autistic-like behaviors or autism.

Free Appropriate Education (or Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)): An education that is provided to a child without cost to the parents, and that is expected to provide some educational benefit to him.

Programs for education that are individualized, meeting a student's needs and providing an education that progresses and is satisfactory.