Autism 101: Autism glossary

autism glossary

It can sometimes seem like the autistic community has a language all of its own. Whether you want to learn new terms or check your understanding, this autism glossary is useful for autistic and non-autistic people alike. We hope it helps.

Autism glossary

Alexithymia

Alexithymia is a difficulty identifying, processing, and verbalising your own emotions. People with alexithymia often experience emotions more strongly through bodily sensations such as tiredness or shaking. This also means that there is typically a challenge for those with alexithymia in separating feelings from the bodily sensations that commonly occur alongside emotional states. Other traits of alexithymia include an imagination that is deliberate and directed more towards functional tasks, being taken by surprise when having intense emotional reactions, and requiring interaction with the world to help process thoughts. Importantly, alexithymia is not a diagnosis or health condition, but rather a theory used to understand people with different emotional experiences. These differences are more common in people with autism, however, alexithymia is experienced by people not on the autism spectrum as well. Read more

Asperger’s syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome was a diagnosis previously given that is now included under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders. A distinction previously made between people with Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism was that those with Asperger’s did not experience cognitive or language delay and would have average to above-average intelligence. Concerns over Hans Asperger’s problematic history have sparked debate over whether this term should continue to be used. However, for those diagnosed with Asperger’s for some time, this is a part of their identity and they may still wish to identify themselves in this way.

Autistic ally

This refers to a non-autistic person who makes a conscious decision to support the autistic community, fight for autistic rights, and work against the oppression of autistic people. Anyone has the potential to be an ally. An ally can use their privilege to be powerful voices alongside autistic people. Read more

DSM

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is a guide used by healthcare professionals when diagnosing various conditions. For each condition it details the symptoms or traits that must be present for a formal diagnosis to be given. It is reviewed and revised periodically and is currently on version 5. It is primarily used in the USA. Read more

Echolalia

Echolalia is where an autistic individual repeats something that has been said to them or that they have heard. There are two types of echolalia – immediate and delayed. Immediate echolalia occurs where a person repeats something they have just heard. With delayed echolalia, there can be a long delay (even years) and the phrase is then repeated. Delayed echolalia is sometimes referred to as scripting. Echolalia can occur while the individual is processing what has been said and to allow time to formulate a response. It can also be a form of expression and communication. The person may be trying to communicate something through the repeated phrase, or to express an emotion. 

ICD

The International Classification of Diseases is the World Health Organisation’s guide to health conditions. It is used globally. It contains information on diagnosing conditions, as well as how to manage, monitor or treat them where appropriate. The ICD is reviewed and revised periodically and is currently on version 10. Unlike the DSM, this current version still lists Asperger’s Syndrome. However, this will be removed in ICD-11 which is due to be is implemented in January 2022. Read more

Masking

Masking involves an autistic person making changes to their behaviour to disguise autistic traits and seem more like their non-autistic peers. Another term used for this is camouflaging. Sometimes masking is a conscious choice in that moment. At other times, autistic people may not realise they are masking. ’Unmasking’ is not as simple as an autistic person deciding to stop masking. They will likely need to spend time relearning who they truly are and want to be. It involves changing instinctive habits and thought patterns that have been developed through masking and so it is a difficult process. Read more

Meltdown

A meltdown can be the result of an overwhelming situation. It can be the result of intense emotions and/or stimuli that are overwhelming or difficult to cope with. A meltdown becomes the involuntary response to these emotions or stimuli. It is more visible to others than a shutdown (see below) as it involves an outward reaction. This could be a verbal and/or physical reaction such as crying, screaming, repetitive movements, throwing items or hitting out.  Read more

Neurodiverse

This term is used to describe people that experience life differently from the majority due to neurological differences – like autistic people. It acknowledges that there can be vast differences in the way people think, behave and process information. By focussing on ‘difference’ rather than ‘deficits’, it acknowledges that difference can be positive and it removes the stigma associated with being different from the majority. Another term used is ‘neuro-atypical’.

Neurotypical (or NT)

This term describes those whose thought processes and behaviours are similar to the majority of people in society. It is a move away from terms such as ‘normal’ to describe a majority, as the use of terms such as this position those who are different as less than normal. This can then be disabling to autistic people. 

Proprioception

Proprioception refers to a person’s awareness of where their body is positioned in their environment, and where their limits are in terms of their body and how much force is being applied to it. They can also struggle with how to regulate this. If people are hypo- or hypersensitive to this sense it will impact their coordination and how they interact with the world around them. Difficulties with fine motor skills are related to proprioception and this can impact a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks such as writing or using cutlery. Poor gross motor skills impact on coordination of the body in larger movements such as dancing or running. A person may also have difficulty with placing objects or avoiding objects when moving.

Selective mutism

Selective mutism occurs where in certain situations a person becomes unable to speak. They may be able to speak verbally in some environments or to certain trusted people. However in others, anxiety or overwhelm can prevent the person from being able to speak. ‘Selective’ implies a choice but this is not the case. ‘Situational mutism’ has been suggested as a potential more appropriate term. Read more

Sensory overload

Sensory overload occurs when sensory stimuli in a person’s environment become too overwhelming. This refers to the seven senses of touch, taste, sound, sight, smell, vestibular (defined below) and proprioception (defined above). It can be a very overwhelming and anxiety-inducing experience. The autistic person will likely feel a need to get away from the environment or situation that has led to overload but may need support to do this.

Shutdown

Like a meltdown, a shutdown is another type of response to overwhelming emotions and/or stimuli. During a shutdown, the autistic person withdraws (either partially or completely) from the environment. They may physically remove themselves to a space they consider safe, or they may freeze in the current place and though they want to leave they are not able to. They may stop responding to communication from others. Read more

Special interest

What differentiates this from a generic interest is the intensity of that interest. The topic of interest can be any subject at all, just as neurotypical people have a wide range of different interests. Some autistic people’s interests may draw more attention if they are not in line with neurotypical interests. Some autistic people keep the same interest throughout their life or for very long periods, whereas for others they may change more regularly. Read more

Spectrum

As in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many people picture the spectrum as a straight line, often with people that are perceived as needing more support on one end, and people perceived as needing less support on the other. This is not what was meant by the Autism Spectrum. The term spectrum was introduced to acknowledge that autistic people have difficulties or different experiences in common areas, but they are affected in different ways and to varying extents. Each autistic person’s experience is unique.

Stimming

Autistic people have described stimming as being repetitive or rhythmic behaviours. Common words autistic people use to describe the feeling of stimming are often soothing, calming and comforting. Stimming can reduce anxiety and help autistic people cope with overwhelming situations, environments, and thoughts. Stimming can also be the result of positive emotions such as excitement. Read more

Vestibular sense

This relates to sense of balance. Those experiencing hypersensitivity (awareness and experiences are heightened) may struggle to tolerate quick movements and could feel disorientated if, for example, jumping and leaving the ground. A person may appear ‘clumsy’, for example I lose my balance easily and this can lead to falls or accidents. Those with hyposensitivity (awareness and experiences are reduced), on the other hand, may gain pleasure from the feeling of movement and may not experience dizziness or nausea from activities such as spinning or swinging.

2 thoughts on “Autism 101: Autism glossary

  1. You missed out burnout where having to be exposed to stimuli on a daily basis or prolonged period can cause an autistic person to experience high levels of fatigue and the need to sleep/ or recharge in some way in order to be able to carry on with daily activities/work

    1. This is a great suggestion. I have personal experience of burnout and have written about it here on The Autisphere. We’re going to update this post over time so will put this on the list. Emma

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