Glossary

A

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Tools and systems (like communication boards or speech devices) used to supplement or replace verbal speech.

Aspiration

When food or liquid enters the airway instead of the esophagus.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Difficulty understanding and processing sounds, even with normal hearing.
Full guide: Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Apraxia of Speech

A motor planning disorder where the brain struggles to send signals for speech movements.
Full guide: Apraxia of Speech

Articulation

How speech sounds are physically formed using the tongue, lips, and palate.

Adaptive Equipment

Tools that assist with independence (e.g., grabbers, sock aids, button hooks).

Attention Span

The amount of time someone can concentrate on a task.

Agonist / Antagonist / Synergist

Coordination terms: the primary mover, its opposite, and supporting muscles

Abduction (Away)

This refers to moving a body part, such as an arm or leg, away from the midline of the body. An example of this motion is spreading your arms and legs outward while doing a snow angel.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

These are routine activities necessary for personal care, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and grooming.

Active Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM)

The movement of a body part using a combination of the individual’s muscle effort and assistance from a therapist or assistive tool.

Active Range of Motion (AROM)

The ability to move joints without needing any external assistance, relying solely on one’s own muscular power.

Adduction (Toward)

The opposite of abduction; this involves bringing a body part, like an arm or leg, back toward the midline of the body.

Assistive Device

Tools or equipment, such as crutches, walkers, or canes, designed to aid in mobility or performing everyday tasks.

Ataxia

A condition characterized by difficulty in muscle coordination, often resulting in shaky, unsteady, or clumsy movements.
Full guide: Ataxia

Autistic Burnout

Autistic burnout is a described state of long-term exhaustion, loss of skills, and reduced tolerance for sensory input, understood to result from chronic stress and a mismatch between demands and available support.
Full guide: Autistic Burnout

B

Baseline

A client’s starting skill level, used to measure therapy progress.

Basic ADLs (BADLs)

Personal care tasks: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting.

Bilateral Coordination

Using both sides of the body together.

Balance

The ability to stay steady and not fall, even when moving.

Base of Support

The part of the body touching the ground that helps with stability, like the feet while standing.

Behavioral Modification

Changing habits or actions to help reduce pain or prevent injuries.

Bilateral

Something that involves both sides of the body, such as both arms or both legs.

Biomechanical Assessment

A way to examine how the body moves to find areas of weakness, misalignment, or strength, which can help improve function and prevent injuries.

Bone Fracture

A crack or break in a bone that can range from a small split to a complete break.

Bursitis

Swelling or irritation of the small fluid-filled sacs in the joints, often caused by repeated movements or overuse.

C

Carrier Phrase

A repetitive sentence structure used to support expressive language (e.g., “I want…”).

Cueing

Verbal or physical prompts to support speech or language production.

Cognitive-Communication Disorder

Problems with attention, memory, organization, reasoning, or problem-solving that impact communication.
Full guide: Cognitive-Communication Disorders

Client-Centered Care

Therapy tailored to a person’s unique values and goals.

Coping Strategies

Tools or techniques to manage stress or emotional difficulties.

Compensatory Strategies

Workarounds for limitations (e.g., using a checklist due to memory issues).

Cognitive Re-training

Exercises to restore thinking skills after brain injury.

Cognitive Functioning

Mental processes like memory, attention, and problem-solving.

Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC)

Exercises where distal segment (hand/foot) is fixed (e.g., squats)

Compression

Application of pressure to control swelling or stabilize anatomy

Calcaneal Valgum

When the heel tilts outward, causing the arch of the foot to appear flatter.

Calcaneal Varum

When the heel tilts inward, creating a higher arch in the foot.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

A condition where a nerve in the wrist gets compressed, leading to tingling, numbness, or pain in the hand, wrist, or arm.

Cervical Spine

The part of the spine located in the neck, made up of seven small bones.

Cervical

A term that refers to anything related to the neck.

Chronic Pain

Pain that lasts for more than three months and often comes and goes over time.

Circumduction

A circular, cone-shaped limb movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction

Co-contraction

Simultaneous contraction of opposing muscles to stabilize a joint

Concentric

A muscle action where the muscle shortens as it contracts, like when lifting an object by curling your arm.

Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)

Machine-assisted passive movement of a joint post‑surgery

Contraction

The process of a muscle generating force

Contracture

Permanent tightening of muscles, tendons, or ligaments restricting joint movement

Core

The area in the middle of the body, including the stomach and back muscles, which is important for stability and strength.

Crossing the Midline

Crossing the midline is spontaneously reaching a hand, foot, or eye across the body's imaginary center line to act on the opposite side.
Full guide: Crossing the Midline

Cyclist’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – PFPS)

A type of knee pain caused by repetitive leg motion, often experienced during activities like cycling.

D

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing safely and efficiently.
Full guide: Dysphagia (Swallowing Difficulty)

Discrimination

The ability to hear and distinguish between similar sounds.

Dysarthria

Weak or poorly coordinated muscles used for speech, resulting in slurred or slow speech.
Full guide: Dysarthria

Dyspraxia

A developmental coordination disorder affecting motor planning.
Full guide: Dyspraxia

Date of Surgery (DOS)

The exact day, month, and year when a surgical procedure occurred.

Decreased Tone

A condition where muscles have less resistance to movement, which may lead to unstable joints and muscle weakening.

Deformity

An abnormal structure or shape within the body.

Dissociation

The capability to move one limb separately from another.

Distal

Describes something located farther away from the center or midline of the body.

Dynamic

Refers to movement and activity, as opposed to being still or static.

E

Early Intervention (EI)

Speech therapy services provided to children from birth to age 3.

Expressive Language

The ability to use words, phrases, and sentences to communicate.

Ergonomics

Adjusting posture or environment to reduce strain during tasks.

Environmental Modifications

Adjusting a space for better safety or independence (e.g., grab bars in a bathroom).

Energy Conservation

Techniques to reduce fatigue during daily activities.

Executive Function

Skills for planning, organizing, sequencing, and self-monitoring.

Elevation / Depression

Upward (e.g., shoulder shrug) and downward motion of a body part

Eccentric

When a muscle contracts while lengthening, such as during the lowering phase of a bicep curl.

Electrical Stimulation (ES)

A therapy technique that uses electrical impulses to contract muscles, reduce pain, and enhance function.

Endurance

The ability to sustain physical activity or effort over a period of time without significant fatigue.

Extension

The motion of straightening a body part, increasing the angle between two bones. For example, straightening the elbow lowers the arm.

External Rotation

The outward rotation of a joint, moving it away from the body, like when arms form a goal post shape with elbows bent at 90 degrees.

F

Neurodevelopmental Disorder

A neurodevelopmental disorder is a condition that affects how the brain develops and functions, often impacting behavior, learning, communication, and motor skills. These disorders typically appear early in childhood and can affect a person’s ability to grow, learn, and interact with others. Common neurodevelopmental disorders include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Early diagnosis and intervention—such as therapy, structured support, and sensory integration strategies—can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with neurodevelopmental challenges.

Functional Communication

Communication that meets real-life needs and promotes independence.

Fine Motor Skills

Small, precise movements (e.g., buttoning a shirt).

FWW, PUW, WBQC, etc.

various walker and cane types

Fine Motor Movements

Small and precise movements that use smaller muscle groups, such as those required for activities like writing or typing.

Flex

The bending of a body part, like bending the elbow to bring the hand closer to the mouth. This reduces the angle between two bones at a joint.

Functional Exercise

Movements that help improve balance, strength, and coordination to support everyday tasks.

Functional Training

Exercises that build strength and skills necessary for daily life activities.

G

Gross Motor Skills

Larger movements involving limbs and trunk (e.g., climbing stairs).

Genu Varum

A condition where the knees angle outward, often referred to as "bow-legged."

Graston Technique

A therapy method used to loosen tight soft tissue and break down scar tissue in the body.

Gross Motor Movements

Large-scale physical movements that require significant muscle coordination, such as walking or jumping.

Gait

The pattern or style of walking.

Genu Valgum

A condition where the knees angle inward, often called "knock-kneed."

Gestalt Language Processing

Gestalt language processing (GLP) describes a pattern of language development in which a child learns language in whole chunks or phrases first, later breaking those chunks down into flexible, self-generated language.
Full guide: Gestalt Language Processing

H

Hamstrings

Muscles at the back of the thigh that bend the knee and extend the hip.

History of (H/O)

A record of past symptoms or medical conditions.

Home Exercise Program (HEP)

A set of PT-prescribed exercises for practicing at home.

Hook Lying

Lying on the back with knees bent and feet flat on the ground.

Horizontal Abduction (Horiz ABD)

Moving the arms away from the body horizontally.

Hypermobility

When a joint moves beyond its normal range.

Hyperextension

Excessive extension movement of a joint.

Hypertonic

Increased muscle tone causing stiffness or tightness.

Hypomobility

Reduced joint movement due to tightness or structural issues.

Hypotonic

Decreased muscle tone causing floppiness.

I

Instrumental ADLs (IADLs)

More complex daily activities: cooking, managing finances, shopping, cleaning.

In-Hand Manipulation

Adjusting an object within the hand without external support.

Increased Tone

Muscle resistance that is higher than normal, often resulting in stiffness.

Instability

A challenge in maintaining balance or control, which can sometimes cause falls.

Internal Rotation

The inward turning of a joint toward the center of the body, such as when crossing the arms over the chest.

Isometric

An exercise where muscles are engaged and contract without producing any movement, such as pushing against a stationary object.

Interoception

Interoception is the sense of the body's internal state — hunger, thirst, a full bladder, heart rate, temperature, pain, and the physical sensations underlying emotion.
Full guide: Interoception

J

Joint Mobilization

Passive movement applied to a joint to reduce stiffness and enhance motion

Joint

The place where two or more bones meet, allowing movement.

K

Kinesthesia

The ability to sense body movements, including direction and speed, through signals from joints.

Kyphosis

A curving of the spine that creates a rounded appearance in the upper back; excessive kyphosis leads to a very pronounced curve.

L

Language Delay

When a child develops language skills more slowly than typical peers.

Listening Comprehension

Understanding spoken language.

Ligament

A type of tissue that connects one bone to another.

Ligament Sprain

An injury occurring to a ligament, often caused by stretching or tearing.

Lordosis

An inward curvature of the spine, noticeable in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions.

Long-Sitting

A sitting position where the legs are extended straight out in front.

Lumbar

Related to the lower back area of the body.

Lumbar Spine

The section of the spine located in the lower back, consisting of five lumbar vertebrae.

M

Minimal Pairs

Words that differ by only one sound (e.g., “bat” vs. “pat”) used to teach sound contrasts.

Modeling

Demonstrating a correct response or behavior for the client to imitate.

Modified Diet

Special texture or thickness of food/drink (e.g., pureed, thickened liquids).

Memory Strategies

Tools like chunking or repetition to help with memory during conversation.

Mindfulness

Being present and aware, often used in mental health-focused OT.

Muscle Tone

The amount of tension or resistance in a resting muscle.

Motor Planning (Praxis)

Ability to plan and execute new motor tasks.

Manual Therapy

A physical therapy technique where the therapist uses their hands to move a specific body part.

Massage Therapy

A treatment that focuses on massaging and manipulating muscles and soft tissues to relieve tension or pain.

Midline

An imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Mobility

The ability to move the body freely and perform everyday activities.

Monotropism

Monotropism is a theory of autistic and ADHD attention: the mind tends to focus intensely on a few interests or channels at a time — an 'attention tunnel' — rather than spreading attention thinly across many.
Full guide: Monotropism

Motor Control

The coordination between the nervous system and muscles to regulate movement effectively.

Motor Planning

The process of organizing and carrying out purposeful movements.

Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)

An injury resulting from a collision involving a motor vehicle.

Muscle Flexibility

The capacity of a muscle to stretch and enable normal joint movement.

Muscle Strain

An injury involving an overstretched or torn muscle or tendon.

N

Neurologic

A medical specialty centered on diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Neurology Clinical Specialist (NCS)

A physical therapist with advanced training and expertise in rehabilitating neurological conditions.

Non-weight Bearing

A condition where no weight can be placed on a specific limb, often required after surgery or injury.
Full guide: Non-weight Bearing

O

Oral-Motor Exercises

Activities to strengthen muscles used for speaking and swallowing.

Occupational Roles

Expected duties in someone's life (e.g., parent, worker, student).

Occupational Performance

How well someone performs in their roles and routines.

Open Kinetic Chain (OKC)

Distal segment is free (e.g., seated knee extension)

Orthosis

External supportive device (e.g., brace, splint)

Orthopedic

Pertains to correcting or treating deformities and issues involving muscles and bones.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

A branch of physical therapy focused on addressing injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, ligaments, and joints.

Obliquity

A condition or state where something is tilted or slanted.

P

Pragmatics

The social use of language, like taking turns, staying on topic, or using appropriate tone.

Phonology

The rules for how sounds are organized and used in a language.

Play-Based Therapy

Using play as a medium for therapeutic intervention in children.

PLOF

Prior Level of Function

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

Combined stretching and muscle contraction technique

Partial Weight Bearing

The ability to apply a specific amount of weight through a limb, but not the full body weight. For example, 50% weight bearing means only half of the body weight can be placed on the injured limb, often requiring the use of an assistive device to alleviate the remaining weight.
Full guide: Partial Weight Bearing

Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS)

A physical therapist with expertise in the rehabilitation and care of children.

Pelvic Floor

A group of muscles that provide support to the organs in the pelvis.

Pes Planus

A condition commonly referred to as flat feet.

Physical Therapy (PT)

A therapeutic discipline that focuses on helping individuals recover from physical impairments through methods such as exercise, massage, heat therapy, and other non-surgical and non-medicinal treatments. This often includes working on skills like transfers, walking, and stair climbing in a rehabilitation setting.
Full guide: Physical Therapy (PT)

Pathological Demand Avoidance

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) describes a profile, usually discussed within autism, in which everyday demands trigger an intense stress response and a strong need for control, with avoidance persisting regardless of rewards or consequences.
Full guide: Pathological Demand Avoidance

Plantar Fascia

A band of connective tissue running along the arch of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot.

Plantar Fasciitis

A condition characterized by pain in the heel and bottom of the foot, often caused by overuse, structural foot issues, or improper footwear.

Progressive Overload

The process of gradually increasing the intensity of exercise to build strength and endurance.

Prone

A position where the individual lies on their stomach with their face down.

Proprioception

The body’s ability to sense its position, movement, and resistance in space.

Proximal

Refers to being closer to the center of the body or the point of attachment.

Q

QS / GS

Quad Sets / Glut Sets

Quadriceps

A group of muscles located at the front of the thigh that is responsible for straightening the knee.

Quad Canes (QC)

A type of walking aid similar to a standard cane but designed with a base that has four points of contact on the ground. This provides more stability and support, often used by individuals recovering from conditions like strokes or those with significant mobility challenges.

R

Receptive Language

The ability to understand words and language.

Reflex

An automatic or involuntary response to a stimulus.

Rehab Protocol

A detailed plan that outlines the stages of exercises and movements following an injury or surgery to ensure safe recovery.

Rehabilitation Program

A structured physical therapy plan aimed at recovery and improving function after an injury or surgery.

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)

A common method used to treat minor injuries such as sprains or strains by reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Ring Sitting

A sitting posture where a person sits upright on the buttocks with the legs positioned to form a circular shape in front, rather than being crossed.

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

Movement of a joint or limb performed by a physical therapist or device without any effort from the person.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A long-term inflammatory autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints, leading to symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling, and joint damage.

Range of Motion (ROM)

The extent a joint can move in specific directions, often measured in degrees (e.g., bending or straightening).

Recurvatum

A condition where a joint, often the knee, bends backward beyond its normal range.

S

Standardized Assessment

Formal testing to measure speech or language skills compared to peers.

Speech Intelligibility

How clearly a person’s speech can be understood by others.

Stuttering (Fluency Disorder)

Disruptions in the flow of speech, such as repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.
Full guide: Stuttering (Fluency Disorder)

Semantics

The meaning of words and phrases.

Syntax

The structure and order of words in a sentence.

Speech Sound Disorder

Difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or fluently.

Self-Regulation

Ability to manage emotions, behavior, and attention.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Difficulty managing sensory input (over or under-responsiveness).
Full guide: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sacral

Related to the sacrum, the group of fused vertebrae located at the base of the spine.

Scoliosis

A condition where the spine develops a sideways curve.
Full guide: Scoliosis

SEMG Biofeedback

A method of pelvic floor therapy that uses visual feedback to display muscle activity during pelvic floor exercises.

Sensory Integration

The process of receiving, organizing, and responding to sensory input.

Side-Sitting

A sitting position where the body rests on one hip, with the legs bent and positioned to the opposite side.

SLB / SLS

Single Leg Balance / Single Leg Stance

Spasticity

Increased muscle tension that leads to stiffness and awkward movements.

Sprain

An injury involving the stretching or tearing of ligaments, often causing pain and swelling but not leading to dislocation.

Static

Describes something that is stationary or not in motion.

Straight Canes (SC)

A simple type of walking cane with a straight shaft and a single point at the base, primarily used for balance and minimal support. Also referred to as a standard or single-point cane.

Strain

A type of injury that occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.

Supine

A position where the body is lying flat on its back, with the face turned upward.

Surgical Precautions

Guidelines provided after surgery to protect the surgical site and ensure proper healing (e.g., avoiding hip flexion past 90 degrees after a hip replacement to prevent dislocation).

Symmetrical

Referring to a state in which the left and right sides of the body mirror each other in appearance or structure.

T

Therapeutic Use of Self

The therapist’s intentional use of personality and communication to support the client.

Task Analysis

Breaking down a task into smaller, manageable steps.

Tactile Defensiveness

Aversion or discomfort to certain textures or light touch.

Telehealth / Telerehabilitation

Delivery of PT services remotely via video or digital tools

Tendonitis

A condition involving inflammation of a tendon.
Full guide: Tendonitis

Thoracic

Related to the upper back area of the body.

Thoracic Spine

The portion of the spine located in the upper back, made up of 12 thoracic vertebrae.

Three Times a Day (TID)

Refers to performing an activity or action, like an exercise or stretch, three times within a 24-hour period.

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)

A surgical procedure, commonly called a hip replacement, where a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one.

Tone (muscle)

The natural level of tension present in a muscle when it is at rest.

Tailor-sitting

Sitting on the floor with the buttocks down and legs crossed, often referred to as “pretzel sitting.”

Tendon

A type of tissue that connects muscles to bones.

U

Ultrasound (US)

A medical imaging technique that uses sound waves to create pictures of internal organs, tissues, or structures.

Ultrasound Therapy

A therapeutic treatment that uses sound waves to enhance blood circulation.

Unilateral

Occurring or affecting only one side of the body.

Upper Body Ergometers (UBE)

An exercise machine focused on the upper body that measures and controls arm cycling speed and resistance.

V

Visual Motor Integration

Coordinating vision with body movements (e.g., hand-eye coordination).

Visual Perception

How the brain interprets visual information.

Vestibular Stimulation

Stimulation of the inner ear structures (the vestibular apparatus) that helps the body sense movement, acceleration, and overall positioning in space.

Vestibular System

The system in the body that controls balance and the sense of spatial orientation.

Vertebrae

The individual bones that stack to form the spinal column, providing support and structure to the back.

W

Word-Finding Difficulty (Anomia)

Trouble retrieving specific words when speaking.

Weight Bearing

The act of putting weight on limbs, such as during standing or walking.
Full guide: Weight Bearing

Weight Bearing As Tolerated (WBAT)

Allowing weight to be placed on a specific body part, like a leg, as much as is comfortable without causing excessive pain.
Full guide: Weight Bearing As Tolerated (WBAT)

Weight Bearing Status

The permitted level of weight that can be supported by a specific part of the body, often following an injury or surgery.
Full guide: Weight Bearing Status

Weight Shifting

Moving body weight from one side to another or in different directions, like side-to-side or forward and backward.

Wheeled Walkers (WW)

A mobility device with wheels designed to assist individuals with balance difficulties in moving safely.

W-Sitting

W-sitting is a floor-sitting position in which a child sits with their bottom between their legs and feet out to the sides, so the legs form a W.
Full guide: W-Sitting