Glossary of common autism words and phrases

The assumption that there is a common, or right way, to be, think, feel, behave, and ability to do things based on a typical person with no developmental, psychological or physical disabilities.

A person that believes, or a system that is designed around, the assumption that there is a common, or right way, to be, think, feel, behave, and ability to do things based on a typical person with no developmental, psychological or physical disabilities.

Accessibility is the practice of making systems, and environments, easier to use and more inclusive for people with disabilities. It can apply to physical spaces, digital content, and services. 

Able to be easily obtained or used.

In the context of autism: A change that adjusts or adapts something so that it is accessible to an individual or group of individuals.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is an outdated term for a type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) where people have differences in focusing but are not hyperactive.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition (see neurodevelopmental). Characteristics may include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. 

A newer word that describes 'not-autistic', popular within the autistic community.

In medicine, "acquired" can refer to a disease or condition that develops after birth, rather than being present at birth. 

An abbreviation of 'Autism Spectrum Condition', and preffered over the term 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' or 'ASD' by the autistic community in general.

An abbreviation of 'Autism Spectrum disorder', and a term used by medical, healthcare and legal professionals but not by the autistic community in general.

Pronounced with a hard 'g' - 'guh', as in 'burger.'

An outdated term that has been replaced by Autism level 1, meaning the least amount of day-to-day support is needed, and often no significant language development delay, or learning disability is present.

This term is now highly controversial, and potentially upsetting to the autistic community, following the scandal associated with Hans Asperger, who was involved in the Nazi eugenics movement. Asperger is thought to be responsible for the deaths of non-speaking autistic children, by providing lists of such children for internment in hospitals where they died due to mistreatment.

A lesser-used term adopted by some in the autistic community, to refer to themselves as autistic.

An outdated term used by some in the autistic community when referring to themselves as autistic, and a shortened form of Asperger syndrome.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is an outdated term for a type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where people have differences in focusing but are not hyperactive.

(ADHD) where people have differences in focusing and are also hyperactive.

Not typical, or unusual.

A popular term in the autistic community describing someone who is both autistic and ADHD i.e., 'I'm AuDHD', or the co-occurance of autism and ADHD ie. 'AuDHD is a complex condition'.

Visibly offering meaningful support and making adapations that remove allistic (non-autistic) expectations for social communication, interaction, sensory processing and ability to predict novel (new) events, so that autistic people to feel encouraged and empowered to thrive.

A community made up of autistic people, their carers, family, friends, professionals supporting them, and allies.

A neurodevelopmental difference that is lifelong, meaning the person has differences compared to non-autistic people in terms of how they interact, communicate socially, process sensory information and are able to predict novel (new) events.

A newer term that some autistic people use to refer to themselves as autistic.

A term that many and most autistic people, regardless of skills or support needs, prefer to use when referring to themselves as autistic.

A community made up of autistic individuals only.

A way of being and living, that is specific to autistic people, and can be observed in autistic space especially (see autistic space). Autitsic culture is predominantly non-judgemental, creative, logical, loyal and open-minded, without allistic expectations around social touching, conversation, behaviour and social etiquette (see allistic).

A space, virtual or physical, occupied only by autistic people and where autistic culture is prioritised and reinforced (see autistic culture).

A term used by medical, healthcare and legal professionals but not by the autistic community in general.

A preffered term rather than 'Autism Spectrum Disorder', but not a popular as 'autism' by many and most of the autistic community (see autistic community).

Refers to two or more conditions or illnesses that affect the same person. See also 'co-occuring', which is terminology that is generally viewed as a more positive term by neurodivergent communities, especially when talking about co-occuring neurodivergent conditions.

Refers to two or more conditions or illnessses that affect the same person (see also co-morbid). This terminology is generally viewed as a more positive term by neurodivergent communities, especially when talking about co-occuring neurodivergent conditions.

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia, is a common disorder that affects movement and co-ordination. Dyspraxia does not affect your intelligence. It can affect your co-ordination skills – such as tasks requiring balance, playing sports or learning to drive a car (see also developmental).

Decribes how something, or someone, grows, changes and adapts.

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia, is a common disorder that affects movement and co-ordination. Dyspraxia does not affect your intelligence. It can affect your co-ordination skills – such as tasks requiring balance, playing sports or learning to drive a car.

(of a person) having a physical or mental condition that limits their movements, senses, or activities.

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that makes it difficult for someone to do certain activities or participate in society. Disabilities can be present from birth or acquired later in life (see also Aquired).

In the context of autism and reasonable adjustments, disclosure is generally meant to mean telling someone about your status as an autistic person, for example, telling someone that you have been diagnosed as autistic.

Many of the autistic community, especially younger autistic people, dislike this term and prefer to say 'sharing information'.

When someone is treated unfairly or less favorably because of their characteristics or perceived characteristics, for example, an autistic person.

The theory of the double empathy problem between autistic and non-autistic people, of which the first theoretical accounts were published by Dr Damien Milton in the early 2010's, suggests that when autistic and non-autistic people, with very different experiences of the world, interact with one another they will struggle to empathise with each other. This is likely to be exacerbated through differences in language use and comprehension.

This theory would also suggest that those with similar experiences are more likely to form connections and a level of understanding, which has ramifications in regard to autistic people being able to meet one another (see also Autistic culture and Autistic community).

A condition where a person has;

• Difficulty with basic math concepts, such as counting backward, measuring, and solving word problems
• Difficulty remembering numbers, such as phone numbers, zip codes, and game scores
• Difficulty with money, such as making change, calculating tips, and splitting checks
• Difficulty judging distance and time
• Difficulty reading clocks and telling time
• Anxiety about math-related tasks
• Avoidance of math-related tasks
• Difficulty with memory, speed of thinking, organization, and sequencing
• Difficulty with following directions
• Difficulty with managing a diary and keeping track of time

A condition where a person may have;

• Poor handwriting that's hard to read
• Letters that vary in size and style, or are written backwards or upside down
• Inconsistent letter and word spacing
• Difficulty writing in a straight line or within margins
• Incorrect spelling
• Difficulty with grammar and punctuation
• Writing very slowly

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which primarily affects reading and writing skills. Dyslexic people may also have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, which can affect learning and the acquisition of literacy skills. Dyslexia can also impact on other areas such as organisational skills.

A set of skills that help you manage your thoughts and actions to achieve goals, including;

• Planning: Creating a plan for how to achieve a goal 
• Problem-solving: Figuring out how to solve a problem or adapt to a new situation 
• Self-control: Managing your impulses and emotions 
• Working memory: Remembering information you need to complete a task 
• Cognitive flexibility: Being able to switch between tasks or ideas 
• Inhibition control: Managing your thoughts and actions so you don't do things you shouldn't 

Dyspraxia, also known as developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), is a common disorder that affects movement and co-ordination. Dyspraxia does not affect your intelligence. It can affect your co-ordination skills – such as tasks requiring balance, playing sports or learning to drive a car.

Extreme demand avoidance (EDA), also known as pathological demand avoidance (PDA), is a set of behaviors that involve avoiding everyday demands. It can include being oppositional, manipulative, or extremely shy. 

A person with lived experience of a condition, situation or illness. Experts by experience work with agencies and organisations to improve their systems and environments for people, by sharing their experiences. Experts by experience are not general experts in their condition, situation or illness by default, but are experts in their own experiences of that condition, situation or illness.

Extreme demand avoidance (EDA), also known as pathological demand avoidance (PDA), is a set of behaviors that involve avoiding everyday demands. It can include being oppositional, manipulative, or extremely shy. 

A form of abuse that can be verbal, written, physical, or online. It can include intimidation, humiliation, or degrading behavior. 

A person with lived experience of a condition, situation or illness. A parent, or carer of an indvidual with a condition or illness, does not have lived-experience of that condition or illness, but does have lived-experience of being a parent or carer to someone with that condition or illness.

The medical model of disability views disability as a physical condition to do with a person, and not their surroundings or other people. It focuses on the difficulty and how the person can be 'fixed' or 'cured' (see also Social model). 

Is the permanent end of a woman's menstrual periods, and it's a natural part of aging. It can also be called the climacteric or 'the change' of life. 

Microaggression is a term used for commonplace verbal, behavioral or environmental 'slights', whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward members of marginalised groups.

Microagressions could be considered as discrimination.

Examples of microagressions towards autistic people can include:

• You don't look autistic
• I would never have known you were autistic unless you told me

Short for 'Neurodivergent', meaning differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or usual, not neurotypical.

(see also ND), meaning differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or usual, not neurotypical.

To be neurodivergent is to diverge from dominant cultural standards of neurocognitive functioning.

The terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence were coined in the year 2000 by Kassiane Asasumasu, a multiply neurodivergent neurodiversity activist.

Neurodevelopmental refers to the development of the brain and nervous system, and the conditions that can affect this development. 

Another popular way to describe Neurodivergent, meaning differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal, not neurotypical.

Meaning the differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or usual, not neurotypical.

The terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence were coined in the year 2000 by Kassiane Asasumasu, a multiply neurodivergent neurodiversity activist.

Visibly offering meaningful support and making adapations that remove neurotypical expectations for skills, abilities and challenges, so that neurodivergent people to feel encouraged and empowered to thrive (see also Neurotypical).

This music, especially for neurodivergent people, has exploded with popularity on TikTok. The main hypothesis behind the use of 8D audio (or binaural music, a similar concept) is that it helps stimulate both hemispheres of the brain (bilateral stimulation) which can help induce emotion regulation.

Referring to a group of people with differing neurotypes, for example, 'this workplace is neurodiverse' means that there is a variety of neurotypes (see also Neurotypes).

Referring to the natural variations in neurotypes in society or within a group, for example 'there is neurodiversity within this workplace' means that there are people with a variety of different neurotypes (see also Neurotypes).

This phrase was coined by Australian sociologist, Judy Singer, in the late-1990s.

Refers to a system or environment that is accessible for people with a variety of neurotypes (see also Neurotypes).

A neurominority is a group of people with a shared neurodivergence, or less typical neurotype (see also Neurodivergence and Neurotype).

This term was coined by Dr Nick Walker, Professor of Psychology, in the 1990's.

Neuronormative is the idea that there is a single, right way to think, feel, behave, and function in the world, biased towards neurotypical people (see also Neurotypical). It's a set of expectations and standards that are reinforced by societies and communities that are ableist. 

A zoomer (generation Z) slang term for neurodivergent or neurodivergency (see also Neurodivergent).

A neurotype is a person's brain type, which affects how they learn, communicate, and develop. It's a fundamental part of a person's identity, like race, gender, and sexuality. 

Meaning a person, or group of people, not displaying or characterised neurologically atypical, or neurodivergent, patterns of thought or behaviour (see also NT and Neurodivergent).

Short for neurotypical, meaning a person, or group of people, not displaying or characterised neurologically atypical, or neurodivergent, patterns of thought or behaviour (see also Neurotypical, Neurodivergent and Atypical).

The neurodivergent community often use this abbreviation when talking about neurotypical people and evironments.

Short for Pervasive Developmental Disorder - A outdated term for a group of developmental delays that impact social and communication skills. PDD is now known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

The characteristic of a persistent and marked resistance to the demands of everyday life and other people, which may include essential demands such as eating and sleeping as well as expected demands such as going to school or work.

Potentially a key charactertistic of a specific autism profile, but is a term that is not recognised clinically (meaning it is not included in medical manuals) and is contested within the autism community (see also PDA).

The term PDA was coined in the 1980s by Professor Elizabeth Newson, a British clinical psychologist who worked extensively in developmental psychology.

The characteristic of a persistent and marked resistance to the demands of everyday life and people, which may include essential demands such as eating and sleeping as well as expected demands such as going to school or work.

Potentially a key charactertistic of a specific autism profile, but is a term that is not recognised clinically (meaning it is not included in medical manuals) and is contested within the autism community (see also Pathalogial Demand Avodance, Extreme Demand Avoidance, and Persistant Drive for Autonomy).

The term PDA was coined in the 1980s by Professor Elizabeth Newson, a British clinical psychologist who worked extensively in developmental psychology.

The characteristic of a persistent and marked insistance on autonomy in everyday life, and a term coined by the community with this characteristic (see also Pathalogial Demand Avoidance and Extreme Demand Avoidance).

The term PDA was coined in the 1980s by Professor Elizabeth Newson, a British clinical psychologist who worked extensively in developmental psychology.

An outdated term for a group of developmental delays that impact social and communication skills, sortened to PDD. PDD is now known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

The consistent repetition of a state, course of action, behavior, or the like, making it possible to know in advance what to expect.

Autistic people in particular, often find it more difficult to predict events and situations, than other people, with the same amount of prior information.

The diagnostic manuals describe this area of difference, that autistic people have compared to non-autistic people, as 'Restrictive, repetative routines'.

It includes engaging in repetitive behaviors, often following strict routines or patterns, which can include insistence on sameness, specific object focus, or repeated motor movements, and can cause distress if disrupted or altered; essentially, a strong need to maintain predictable and unchanging routines in daily life.

Referring to how common something is.

A change that is made to support a disabled person to access a system or environment. The person making the change needs to decide if an adjustment is 'reasonable' by investigating the following:

• If it costs money, time and reasources - then does the person have these to be able to make the adjustment, after exploring all options for funding and resourcing said adjustment?
• Is it possible to make the adjustment?
• How effective will the adjustment be in removing the disadvantage for the person?
• Is any negative impact of putting the adjustment in place, on other people, resources, time and any money-making activities, acceptable?

Shortened to RSD.

A condition thought to be caused by a combination of difference in brain structure, resulting in a lower ability to regulate internal communication and sustained, negative feedback experiences, early on in life, from others (particularly for ADHD'ers).

People with RSD experience intense, short-lived, emotional reactions to real or perceived criticism, teasing and feeling rejected.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is not considered an official medical diagnosis, but clinicians may refer to it to describe a persons challanges.

An abbreviation of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.

A condition thought to be caused by a combination of difference in brain structure and negative feedback experiences from others (particularly for ADHD'ers).

People with RSD experience intense, short-lived, emotional reactions to real or perceived criticism, teasing and feeling rejected.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is not considered an official medical diagnosis, but clinicians may refer to it to describe a persons challanges.

Self-diagnosis is when someone identifies a condition without professional confirmation. It can be based on personal experiences, condition-specific resources, or online information and quizzes.

There are no formal qualifications, experience or standard methods stipulated to be able to diagnose someone as autistic, however, the general consensus is that a chartered clinical pyschologist, specialising in neurodevelopmental conditions, should be sought for diagnostic confidence and to:

• reduce the likelihood of mis-diagnosis or missed diagnosis meaning:
  • to accurate differentially diagnosis where appropriate (identifying other conditions that may be responsible for the individuals characteristics, skills and challenges)
  • to accurately screen or identify other commonly co-occuring neurodevelopmental conditions, co-occuring mental and physical health conditions, referring to other specialists where necessary.

Some autistic people prefer to refer to themselves as 'self-recognised', acknowledging that they are not appropriately qualified to confirm their own diagnosis.

Sensory sensitivity is a natural variation in how people process sensory information. It can affect people of all ages. 

Autistic and ADHD people often have heightened sensory senses, and sometimes and undersensitivity.

Social interaction is when people communicate and behave with one another, in any setting. It can be verbal, non-verbal, or physical.

Social communication is the ability to use verbal and nonverbal communication to interact with others.

The social model of disability views disability as a result of a person's surroundings or other people, rather that a physical condition affecting the person that needs to be 'fixed' or 'cured'. It focuses on on how society 'disable' a person with physical conditions by not appropriately adapting environments and expactions for communication and interaction (see also Medical Model). 

Social imagination can refer to the ability to understand how people relate to each other and the world around them. This is an outdated and unpopular term in the adult autistic community without a learning disability (see also autistic culture).

A tic disorder is a condition that causes sudden, repetitive movements or sounds called tics. Tics can be motor (involving body movement) or vocal (involving sounds). 

An abbreviation of Autism - fairly popular in the autistic, especially younger, community. Example: 'that really messes with my 'tism'.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements and sounds called tics. If tic disorder has been present for 12 months or longer, then TS is diagnosed. Tics can include blinking, coughing, throat clearing, and facial movements. 

A "triple empathy problem" in autism refers to the complex communication barrier that arises when an autistic person interacts with a healthcare provider (typically non-autistic), where both parties struggle to understand each other's perspectives, further complicated by the added layer of the medical system's own language and practices, creating a three-dimensional difficulty in empathy between patient, doctor, and the medical system itself.

Variable Attention Stimulus Trait (VAST) is a term used to describe people with attention differences, previously known as ADHD. It was coined by doctors Edward Hallowell and John Ratey. Is is a much more positve term that focusses on abilities rather than deficts and is gaining popularity in the ADHD/VAST community.

Variable Attention Stimulus Trait (VAST) is a term used to describe people with attention differences, previously known as ADHD. It was coined by doctors Edward Hallowell and John Ratey. Is is a much more positve term that focusses on abilities rather than deficts and is gaining popularity in the ADHD/VAST community.