Autism glossary: neuro-affirming terms explained

A

Ableism

discrimination experienced by people who are disabled in favour of those who are more able.

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - a difference in neurology affecting attention, thinking, processing and impulse.

Agency

the capacity for people to make their own choices safely.

Alexithymia

difficulties identifying, understanding and expressing your emotions or those of others.

Aphantasia

an inability or difficulty to visualise mental images.

Apraxia

difficulties with motor planning (e,g., gross motor movements to walk / sit and also apraxia of speech).

AuDHD

used as a label or identity for people who are both Autistic and ADHD.

Autism

there is no single definition of ‘autism’, and seeking to define it as a ‘thing’ is what the medical model and pathology paradigm aims to do. Instead, it can be much more helpful and accurate to focus on what ‘being Autistic’ means to each person. This might include social interaction, communication and sensory and cognitive processing. There is no single way to ‘be Autistic’ as there is no single way to ‘be human’.

Autistic embodiment

to be Autistic and in tune with yourself and your own Autistic needs.

Autistic joy

a feeling of intense happiness experienced by Autistic people often linked to their passions or sensory experiences and connecting with others who they relate to. Autistic overload / overwhelm (may be called meltdown/shutdown): an external response to stress /sensory / social/ communication overload which may result in a person being unable to communicate, engage in activities or complete executive functioning tasks; senses may be heighted or lowered.

Autistic perception

A positive reframing of the current deficit-based view of Autism valuing a person’s unique way of perceiving and experiencing the world.

Autonomy

the ability to make your own decisions and act on them without external control.

B

Body Doubling

a strategy used by many neurodivergent people to help maintain focus, flow and give gentle accountablity. It involves a person playing or working alongside another at the same or a different task (online or in person).

Burnout

a period of intense sensory, social, emotional and physical overwhelm which results in profound exhaustion and difficulties with executive functioning, memory, attention. Burnout impacts energy levels and results in having less resources to regulate sensory input and other external demands. Acute burnout is often the result and accumulation of long periods of unmet needs, masking and a lack of capacity to manage demands. Autistic burnout can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health difficulties.

C

Challenging behaviour

a deficit term often used to describe the result of unmet needs and great distress.

Co-regulation

an embodied presence of togetherness; being with people in a meaningful way helps balance and recharge the sensory system and bodymind. Co-regulation needs trust as a foundation stone. You can't co-regulate if there is a battle of power dynamics; coregulating is about being together as humans and connecting at a deeper level, as equals.

D

Double Empathy Problem

a concept developed by Damian Milton (2012) that explains the differences in communication and socialisation between Autistic and non-Autistic people. Rather than the previous assumption that Autistic people have no empathy and lack social skills, this concept explains that it is the difference between Autistic and nonAutistic people's way of communicating and socialising that can cause misunderstandings. Autistic people can and do communicate well with other Autistic people in their own way. The emphasis is not just on Autistic people to change their communication to be understood by nonAutistic people, rather this goes both ways. The Double Empathy Problem is not restricted to Autistic and Non-Autistic people it reflects the difficulties that arise between any differences of lived experience between people (e.g. race, age, gender).

Dyscalculia

difficulties related to understanding numbers and difficulties with maths.

Dysgraphia

difficulties with writing skills, letter formation, can affect spelling and word choice (other fine motor skills may be fine).

Dyslexia

a specific learning disability that means you have significant difficulties with reading, writing and spelling.

E

Echolalia

repetition of echoing words / sounds back to someone or self.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

a group of inherited conditions that affect the joints and connective tissues.

Energy accounting

Energy accounting is about keeping track of how much energy you have and how much energy different tasks and stressors will use up. Many people like the idea of Miserandino’s Spoon Theory to support energy accounting.

Executive functioning

skills that include the ability to manage yourself, multitask, plan, organise and carry out tasks to achieve an intended outcome, these can be impacted by other demands, energy, capacity and flow.

F

Flow states

a deep immersive state of sensory or cognitive engagement, often linked to monotropism. However, everyone benefits from positive flow states to help them regulate and focus. Some flow states may not always be positive and can be distressing loops of ruminating thoughts.

G

Glimmers

the opposite of triggers, moments, things and experiences that bring joy, a smile and offer a ray of hope in a day.

H

Hyperlexia

deep fascination with letters and words, accompanied by reading far earlier than peers. Reading skills may far exceed comprehension skills.

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)

a group of conditions related to joint hypermobility (JH).

Hypersensitivity

a more intense / heightened response to sensory stimuli, to the point it could feel very uncomfortable or even painful (e.g., light / sound / taste / touch /smell / movement/pain).

Hyposensitivity

a lower response to sensory stimuli, may be unaware of pain or not as responsive as you may expect (e.g., light / sound / taste / touch /smell / movement/pain).

I

Identity-first language

this means putting a person's identity first. For example, using identity first language, you would use the term 'Autistic person' (not 'person with Autism' which is person's first language). Identity first language is often considered preferable in the Autistic community, but it is always good to ask someone how they prefer to identify and respect their choice.

Infodumping

a term often used to describe an Autistic person sharing their deep knowledge and enthusiasm of their special interests, often involving communicating on a single topic for long periods of time.

Interdependence

mutual dependence that may be sensory, cognitive, or social. All humans are interdependent. Interdependence is valid and it is not always appropriate to strive for independence.

Interoception

relates to a person's ability to understand and interpret internal body signals and sensations. If you have difficulties with interoceptive awareness then you may not understand your body signals to know if you are hungry, thirsty, hot, cold, tired, need the toilet or if you are in pain. (further info: see work of Kelly Mahler)

Intersectionality

coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989), the term intersectionality conceptualises how an individual’s various identities ‘intersect’ to create unique experiences of oppression or privilege and power eg race/ age/ sex/ gender/ disability.

L

Learning Disabilities

cognitive/ intellectual disabilities that mean a person may need more support to understand and interpret information, have difficulties learning specific skills, expressing themselves, and/or performing daily living tasks.

Low demand

a style of interaction (parenting or professional) where you intentionally decrease demands and try to provide an environment that will help reduce stress and anxiety (this includes a low demand use of language and ways of interacting).

M

Masking

the act of consciously or unconsciously suppressing one’s authentic Autistic identity and needs in an attempt to fit into the social norms of the people around you. Over a long period of time masking is detrimental to mental health. It is important to acknowledge that many Autistic people have to mask for safety for lots of reasons in many situations. Unmasking is not always an easy or safe option.

Meltdowns

state of high distress caused by Autistic people not having enough capacity to manage, often due to unmet needs in environment, which may result in an Autistic person needing an outlet to help them regulate again. Meltdowns are an external expression of a shutdown.

Misophonia

a hyper sensitivity to sound stimuli (e.g., hearing some one eating may feel painful).

Monotropism

a neuro-affirming theory of Autism. Autistic /ADHD/ AuDHD people are more likely to be monotropic (Garau et al., 2023). “Monotropic people have an interest-based nervous system. This means they focus more of their attention resources on fewer things at any one time compared to other people who may be polytropic. Things outside an attention tunnel may get missed, and moving between attention tunnels can be difficult and take a lot of energy. Monotropism can have a positive and negative impact on sensory, social and communication needs depending on the environment, support provided and how a person manages their mind and body”. (Community Definition of Monotropism collated by Helen Edgar, 2024) (For further information see: Monotropism.org & Monotropism Resources & signposting on Autistic Realms)

Monotropic Time

when an Autistic/ADHD/AuDHD person is engaged in a deep flow state and looses sense of neuro-normative time.

N

Neurobiology

connections between the brain, body and sensory systems.

Neurodivergent

an individual is ‘neurodivergent’ if they diverge from the dominant societal standards of ‘normal’ (Asasumasu, 2000s; Walker, 2021). Some people may describe themselves as multiply neurodivergent, e.g., Autistic, ADHD and OCD. The term ‘neurodivergent’ was never intended to be anything other than a valueneutral term. It is important it is not used as a synonym for Autistic / ADHD.

Neurodiverse

the world and society is ‘neurodiverse’ as everyone is different; an individual cannot be. An individual who differers from the majority of norms can be described as neurodivergent.

Neurodiversity

neurodiversity is natural and valuable. When we use the term ‘neurodiversity’, we refer to the diversity of human brains and minds and recognises everybody’s differences in a value-neutral way: “diversity of human minds, the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species”. Neurodiversity itself is just a biological fact! (Walker, 2021). Read more about the origin of neurodiversity as a concept here: The neurodiversity concept was developed collectively: An overdue correction on the origins of neurodiversity theory – Monique Botha, Robert Chapman, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, Steven K Kapp, Abs Stannard Ashley, Nick Walker, (2024). Walker, 2014: https://neuroqueer.com/neurodiversity-terms-and-definitions and work by Lived Experience Educator, Sonny Jane Wise.

Neurodiversity Movement

social justice movement driving forward the ethos of the neurodiversity paradigm.

Neurodiversity Paradigm

a perspective that understands, accepts and embraces the differences of everyone. Within this theory it is believed there is no single 'right' or 'normal' neurotype, just as there is no single 'right' or normal gender or race. It rejects the medical model of seeing differences as deficits. It also recognises the same dynamics and inequalities that occur in society with social, cultural, racial and gender inequalities are also seen in those that are neurodivergent. (For more information see: Nick Walker's work, Neuroqueer Heresies, 2021 for further info).

Neuromajority

often used to describe people that are not neurodivergent, i.e.. the majority of the population. Neuromajority is sometimes used instead of neurotypical, although the idea of there being a ‘typical’ / ‘normal’ mind is sometimes debated.

Neuronormativity

reflects norms, standards, expectations and ideals that centre the majority of society’s way of functioning as the right and normal way to live in the world (ie not neurodivergent or disabled).

Neuroqueer

theory developed by Nick Walker. To neuroqueer is to liberate yourself by subverting neuronormative and heteronormative expectations. You can engage in neuroqueer practice and also be neuroqueer. It is both a verb and an adjective. (Further info see Nick Walker’s work: https://neuroqueer.com/neuroqueer-an-introduction/)

O

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

a neurodivergence where a person experiences intrusive obsessive thoughts that trigger compulsions to try and relieve the anxiety caused.

P

Passions

(also referred to as special interests), an all consuming deep interest that an Autistic or ADHD person may have about a certain topic, activity or sensory experience. Passions can bring great joy and create a monotropic flow state (single channel of thought, which is a natural state for an Autistic bodymind). Engaging in passions/ special interests (SpIns) provides opportunities for Autistic people to regulate, gain deep knowledge or skills in a certain activity / topic and can be a good opportunity to socialise and communicate with others that may share the same passion.

PDA

Pathological Demand Avoidance or some prefer Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (coined by Tomlin Wildling), PDA is widely understood to be a profile of Autism, “involving the avoidance of everyday demands and the use of social strategies as part of this avoidance. PDA individuals share Autistic characteristics and also have many of the ‘key features’ of a PDA profile”. (PDA Society definition).

Penguin Pebbling

gifts and acts of kindness shared between people based on their interests (eg. I saw this meme or I found this pebble and thought of you).

Proprioception

also called kinaesthesia, is the body’s ability to sense and understand its location, movements, and actions.

R

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

refers to an intense emotional response related to actual or perceived rejection and heightened sensitivity to criticism or any negative reaction from people due to past traumatic experiences.

S

Safe space

a place or environment where individuals can freely express their identity and where their needs are met (including sensory needs and psychological safety) without fear of discrimination or harm, providing a place where a person gains a sense of comfort, security, and acceptance as their authentic self.

Scripting

this can be a form of masking to try and fit into a social group. However, rehearsing, practising and preparing what to say in advance of a social situation can also be helpful to reduce anxiety.

Sensory avoidance

intentionally withdrawing from sensory experiences that don't make a person feel good or gives them discomfort/pain.

Sensory diet

an occupational therapist may create a 'sensory diet' which is an individual programme of ideas and activities to help regulate an individual's sensory system depending on their needs.

Sensory / Social overload/ overwhelm

(sometimes referred to as a meltdown/shutdown), a response to experiencing more social/sensory input than a person can manage. If an Autistic person is experiencing overwhelm, they will need time to rest, regulate and recover in a way that is right and meaningful for them.

Sensory processing

an individual’s way of perceiving, interpreting and responding to a wide range of sensory experiences, signals and stimuli.

Sensory seeking

intentionally searching and engaging in sensory experiences that help make a person feel good and balance their sensory system eg different type of movements, sounds, tastes, textures, sights etc.

Sensory sensitivity

depending on an individual's response to sensory stimuli at the time some senses may be heightened and make the person feel discomfort or pain, this could cause some people to avoid certain situations and stimuli (e.g., sounds may be louder / certain textures may feel painful etc).

Shutdown

a response to stress, sensory, social, or communication overload that may result in an Autistic person's inability to communicate, engage in activities, or complete executive functioning tasks; the senses may be heightened or lowered. Often described as being like an internal meltdown. A shutdown state may also follow a meltdown. There may be no set pattern.

Situational mutism

a person's inability to produce speech in certain contexts.

Stimming

repetitive behaviours, movements and activities that help to regulate the mind and body can bring a sense of joy and a flow state.

Synaesthesia

describes the mixing or overlapping of the senses (e.g., sound to colour). It is complex and there are many forms or synaesthesia.

T

Tics

repetitive muscle movements that result in sudden movements, body jolts or vocalisations.

Time processing difficulties

often associated with ADHD where a person has difficulty processing and understanding the passing of normal clock time.

Tourette's Syndrome

causes a person to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics (some people may also experience internal tics).

Transition

a change from one activity to the next, or from one environment to another.

Trauma -Informed Approach

the purpose of trauma-informed practice is not to treat trauma-related difficulties, which is the role of traumaspecialist services. It is about addressing the barriers that people may experience when accessing education, health and care services and meeting their needs. “Asking ’What does this person need’? rather than ‘What is wrong with this person’?.” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-definition-oftrauma-informed-practice/working-definition-of-trauma-informed-practice Vestibular: part of the sensory system that helps people orientate their body in space and supports balance.