Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V

A

abnormal A terrm generally used to refer to characteristics that are either socially or statistically unconforming to those of the norm. However, the word "normal" has no clear boundaries, therefore the word "abnormal" can only ever be relative to that of normal.
abstract Naming a quality, state, or action rather than a thing; not concrete; having little or no pictorial representation.
adaptive skills Daily living skills needed to live, work and play in the community. The adaptive skills are: communication, self-care, home living, social skills, leisure, health and safety, self-direction, fundamental academics, community use, and work.
affect Visible signs of experiencing an emotion.
agnosia Generally, an agnosic can sense objects and forms but is unable to consciously recognise and interpret their meaning. Agnosia is a result of neurological pathology and can be manifested in almost any perceptual/cognitive system. There are many forms, these include : "apperceptive agnosia" (visual perception), auditory agnosia (hearing perception), tactile agnosia (tactile perception).
alexia A language related disability characterised by the partial or complete loss of the ability to identify the printed word. The disorder is often quite specific in that alexics do not have impairment of vision and can identify spoken words normally. Sometimes called: word blindness and visual aphasia.
alexithymia A disruption in both affective and cognitive processes. It is not treated as a 'true' psychiatric syndrome but rather as a general charactersation of a number of traits which are often seen together in a variety of disorders including those with psychosomatic origins and some addictions and drug-dependency disorders. Typically the alexithymic person has relatively undifferentiated emotions and thinking tends to dwell excessively on the mundane.
aloof Detatched. Having no need, desire, or much (if any) awareness of other people and social relationships.
anxiety disorders A category of disorders described in the DSM-IV in which a person experiences anxiety so extreme that it interferes with functioning. Anxiety disorders include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which frequently accompanies autistic spectrum conditions.
apathy Indifference, unresponsiveness, displaying less interest or reactivity to a situation than would normally be expected.
aphasia A general term covering any partial or complete loss of language abilities. The origins are always organic, namely a lesion in the brain. There are literally dozens of varieties of aphasia and the classification systems are based on the (presumed) cortical locale of the lesion, others upon the general sensory and/or motor functions which are impaired and still others on the particular linguistic skills which are lost.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) A type of intensive behaviour modification training used to treat autism. Often therapy regimes are 30-50hrs/wk in home and/or at school. ABA is currently extremely popular among parents and professionals, and has scientific studies to back up its claim that many autistic children learn to behave more normally following years of therapy. However, ABA, also called "Lovaas" therapy, is generally frowned on by ACs who think the technique is aversive, too intensive, and has questionable motives. Also called discrete trials.
appropriate Acceptable behaviour within a given setting.
Asperger Syndrome (AS) A Pervasive Developmental Disorder which is similar to autism but without clinically significant language delay. Language, however, is still used in a stilted and stereotyed manner. People with Asperger Syndrome have no general cognitive delay, meaning their overall IQ is in the normal range or above. The distinction between Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism (HFA) is unclear, especially in adulthood.
ataxia Partial or complete loss of coordination of voluntary muscular movements. The term is used somewhat metaphorically to refer to psychic disorders in which the loss of coordination is between emotions and thoughts.
attachment disorder See Reactive Attachment Disorder.
attention A general term referring to the selective aspects of perception which function so that at any instant an organism focuses on certain features of the enviroment to the (relative) exclusion of other features. Attention may be conscious in that some stimulus elements are actively selected out of the total input, although, by in large, we are not explicitly aware of the factors, which cause us to perceive only some small part of the stimulus array.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) A disorder characterized by hyperactivity, attentional deficits, and impulsivity. Often leads to learning and behavior problems at home, school, and work. Although it is first manifested in childhood, it may not be diagnosed until later in life. Also called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
atypical autism Any case of autism that fails to meet the standard criteria for the disorder in that the symptoms first appear at an unusually late age or the symptomatology is atypical or mild. Now fits under the DSM-IV diagnosis of PDD-NOS
Auditory Integration Training (AIT) (AIT) A therapy for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and autism in which the client listens to a specially selected series of sounds and music in an effort to "retrain" the hearing. The theory is that autistics are hypersensitive to certain pitches and that this technique can reduce that sensitivity.
autism A rare syndrome, appearing in childhood, characterised by a withdrawn state, a lack of social responsiveness or interest in others, serious communicative and linguistic impairments, and a failure to develop normal attachments, all frequently accompanied by a variety of bizarre ways of responding to the enviroment, usually including a fascination with inanimate objects and an insistence on routine, order, and sameness. Onset prior to 30 months of age. Sometimes the term is only used to refer to autistic disorder but more often it refers to all of the autistic spectrum or as a general term for developmental disorders in the pervasive developmental disorders category of the DSM-IV.
autistic Of or relating to autism. Or a person who has an autistic spectrum disorder.
autistic characteristics Traits and behaviours associated with autism. Most non-autistic people will have some autistic characteristics, but to a lesser degree.
autistic disorder A developmental disability in the pervasive developmental disorders category of the DSM-IV significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and imagination generally evident before age 3. See also autistic spectrum and autism.
autistic-like Behaviours which are usually attributed to autism, but occuring in a person who does not meet all the criteria for a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Also called: autistic features or autistic characteristics. Someone who is autistic-like may informally be called a cousin.
autistic spectrum Autism occurs along a continuum from mildly affected, very high functioning and verbal to severely affected, low functioning and nonverbal. Those who fit between the autistic spectrum and non-autistic people are sometimes called cousins. Also called autistic continuum.
Autistics and Cousins (AC) A term used primarily on the internet to indicate people on or near the autistic spectrum. This includes autistics as well as those considered cousins who are autistic-like but do not have an official diagnosis of autism or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

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B

behaviour Generally, any action of a person or animal. Usually used to refer to responses to one's environment or impulses.
behaviour modification The application of conditioning techniques to teach new responses or to reduce or eliminate maladaptive or problematic behaviour. See also Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
Bipolar Disorder (BP) A mood disorder in the DSM-IV which is characterised by dramatic highs (mania) and deep depression. Bipolar was called manic depression in the DSM-III-R. Researchers are studying a possible genetic connection between Bipolar and other Mood Disorders and autistic spectrum disorders.
Borderline Personality Disorder A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.
bradylexia Abnormally slow reading. The term is reserved for cases where the slowness is deemed not to be due simply to overall low intellectual functioning.

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C

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) A reduced or impaired ability to discriminate, recognize, or comprehend auditory information.
characteristic Some individualistic feature, attribute, etc. that serves to identify and 'characterize' something. Generally used synonymously with "trait" in discussion of personality.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) One of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) described in the DSM-IV. CDD is diagnosed when the child shows symptoms of autism but the onset is after the age of 3 years. CDD is usually progressive and the prognosis is usually poor.
circumscribed Fully encircled. A circumscribed area of interest is fully examined from all angles, but not generalised into other areas or similar topics.
co-existing disorders Refers to cases in which an individual has more than one mental disorder as described in the DSM-IV. Also known as co-morbidity.
cognitive Having to do with a person's thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes including intelligence.
co-morbidity See co-existing disorders.
compulsion An uncontrollable urge to perform some action. See: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
conditioning Repeated use of a specific stimulus in order to create a predictable and controlled response in another person. Conditioning is used in behaviour modification.
cousin Someone who has some autistic spectrum characteristics to the extent that he/she can identify with autistics even if he or she does not have a formal diagnosis. People with Schizoid Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourette Syndrome (TS), and sometimes Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD), are considered cousins. See also: Autistics and Cousins (AC).

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D

deixis A term used to refer to the context-boundedness of language. The deictic aspects of linguistics mesage are those elements that refer to time, space and the interpersonal components. Purely deictic segments in English are 'here/there', 'that/this', 'before/after/now' etc etc.
depression (major)
 A mood disorder involving disturbances in emotion (excessive sadness), behaviour (loss of interest in usual activities), cognition (distorted thoughts of hopelessness and low self-esteem), and body function (fatigue, loss of appetite).
developmental aphasia A severe language disorder that is presumed to be due to brain injury rather than because of a developmental delay in the normal acquisition of language.
developmental delay A term used when a child does not reach the expected developmental milestones such as speaking, crawling or walking, at the usual time. Developmental Delay may or may not indicate a long term developmental disorder as most children recover from the delay.
developmental disorder A general term for any significant handicap with onset before age 18 affecting adaptive, self-help, cognitive and/or social skills and which will continue for the life of the individual.
diagnosis A qualified professional opinion that the characteristics and symptoms of a known disease, disorder or syndrome are present and best fit the given label. The primary purposes of diagnosis are to determine prognosis and treatment. The primary list of accepted diagnoses for mental disorders used in North America is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - fourth edition (DSM-IV). In Europe, the equivalent manual is the ICD-10.
disease an alteration of a living body that impairs its functioning
disorder an abnormal state of body or mind. A condition or group of characteristics which impairs functioning or causes distress. See also: syndrome.
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. It contains standard definitions of psychological disorders including mental illness, developmental disorders, and some other neurological conditions. It is the guide used for diagnosis in North America. In Europe, the ICD-10 is standard. The current edition, which was published in 1994, is the DSM-IV; the previous version was DSM-III-R.
DSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition. Published by the American Psychiatric Association in 1994. See DSM.
dyscalculia In a person with normal general intelligence, a severe difficulty in understanding and using symbols or functions needed for success in mathematics.
dysesthesia Generally, inappropriate sensitivity, particulary to touch and pain. The term is used as a cover term for any increased or decreased sensitivity as well as for other more specific syndromes.
dysgraphia A severe difficulty in producing handwriting that is legible and written at an age-appropriate speed.
dyslalia Impaired speech due either to psychological (functional) causes or to defects in the periperal speech organs. When the cause is through brain damage rhe used term is aphasia.
dyslexia A severe difficulty in understanding or using one or more areas of language, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and spelling.
dysnomia A marked difficulty in remembering names or recalling words needed for oral or written language.
Dysphonetic Sequencing Disorder A learning disability characterized by phonetic confusions and misperceptions of phonetic sequences. It is generally viewed as a variety of dyslexia.
dyspraxia Difficulty in planning and carrying out complex movements such as drawing, writing, buttoning, and other tasks requiring fine motor skill. Verbal Dyspraxia specifically affects speech.
Dysthymic Disoder
 A mood disorder characterised by a general depression, lack of interest in the normal, standard activities of living and a ubiquitous 'down in the dumps' feeling. Dysthymia is not meant to be used for cases of acute depression; the term is only used for these disruptions of normal affect when they last at least a year or two. Distinguish also from depression (major)

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E

early infantile autism Now outdated term for "classic" autism also known as Kanner's Syndrome.
early intervention (EI) Early Intervention, before the age of 5, has been shown to significantly affect the prognosis of children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disorders. Therapies may include any or all of: behavioural intervention (such as ABA), occupational therapy (including sensory integration therapy), physical therapy, and speech therapy.
echolalia Repetition of words or phrases, usually with little or no comprehension. Echolalia may occur immediately after the phrases have been said, or may be delayed and occur some time later.
elective mutism Voluntary cessation of previously acquired speech. Can last anywhere from a few hours to weeks or months.
electro-encephalogram (EEG) A graph of electrical activity in the brain. Used for detecting epileptic seizures and some other neurological abnormalities.
emotion Feelings such as happiness, sadness, anger, elation, irritation, etc. The specific definition of emotion is dificult to qualify as it is a completely subjective experience.
empathy The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this.
environment Anything outside of onesself. The environment includes location, surroundings, objects or people in those surroundings as well as intrinsic factors such as lighting and temperature. Also, internal environment, refers to a person's thoughts, emotions, sensations, and impulses.
epilepsy Any of various disorders marked by disturbed electrical rhythms of the central nervous system and typically manifested by convulsive attacks usually with clouding of consciousness.
executive function The ability to manage organization, priority-setting, time management, and decision making. People with Asperger Syndrome and Learning Disabilities frequently have difficulty with executive functioning; it can also be diagnosed in isolation as a specific nonverbal learning disability.
eye contact Looking at other people in the eyes. A nonverbal aspect of communication. Difficulty, total absence, or odd use of eye contact, especially as used in communication, is very typical of autistics.

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F

face blindness Technically called prosopagnosia, face blindness is the inability to recognize human faces. This disorder is likely more common in autistic spectrum conditons.
fight or flight response An automatic response to stress that is perceived to be a survival threat. The part of the brain that regulates metabolic and autonomic function and prepares muscles to act--to either flee or fight. This survival mechanism works well when the situation allows for an active response. In autistic people, the fight or flight response may malfunction, resulting in a chronic state of physiological arousal which is very stressful to the body.

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H

High Functioning Autism (HFA) A point on the autistic spectrum in which a person meets the DSM-IV or ICD-10 criteria for autistic disorder or met them as a child but is verbal and has an IQ within the normal range. The designation of High Functioning Autism is a subjective description of functioning level and is not an official diagnosis. Also called "mild" autism and frequently confused with Asperger Syndrome (AS). See also Low Functioning Autism.
hyperactive Unusually overactive. Extreme difficulty sitting still, figitiness, excessive running. Opposite of hypoactive. See also: Attention Deficit Disorder.
hyperlexia A language disorder characterized by early precocious reading and/or intense fascination with letters and numbers. This is accompanied by limited comprehension of what is read, difficulty with verbal language, difficulties with social interaction and other autistic traits.
hypersensitivity Being overreactive or oversensitive to sensory (or emotional) stimuli. This is a very common feature of autistic spectrum condition and Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID). See also: hyposensitivity.
hypoactive Unusually underactive. Lethargic, difficult to get going, sits in one place for extended periods, avoids excessive movement. Opposite of hyperactive.
hyposensitivity Being underreactive or undersensitive to sensory (or emotional) stimuli. This is a common feature of autistic spectrum condition and Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID). See also: hypersensitivity.

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I

ICD-10 The European guide for diagnosis of mental disorders. In North America, the DSM-IV is used for the same purpose.
idiosyncratic Odd, personalized, peculiar, eccentric and often out of context. People with autism often have idiosyncratic movements, speech, and behaviour.
impulse Immediate reaction or desire to perform some action. Impulsivity is an inability to resist acting on impulses regardless of their appropriateness or consequences.
impulsive Someone who has difficulty resisting impulses is said to be impulsive.
inanimate non-living object.
inflection The rise and fall of voice pitch used for expression.
IQ Intelligence Quotient
inclusion A policy of integrating special needs students into the mainstream classroom by providing the student with support services.

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K

Kanner (Kanner's Syndrome) Leo Kanner was the person who, in the early 1940's, first defined autism in English. He described what is now commonly known as "classic" or "low-functioning" autism which includes many of the most common stereotypes of what autism is. Around the same time, Hans Asperger, a German, described what is now known as Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism. Asperger's writings were not translated into English until quite recently.

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L

language The words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a considerable community.
learning difficulties UK term for Mental Retardation. Not to be confused with Learning Disabilities which most frequently occur in people with average or above average IQ.
Learning Disability (LD) An extreme difficulty in the performance of a specific mental skill, such as reading or arithmetic which is inconsistent with the person's overall intelligence; sometimes linked to perceptual or memory problems. Not to be confused with Learning Difficulties. See also: Nonverbal Learning Disability.
Lovaas Lovaas was a pioneer in the field of behaviour modification for treating autism. Proponents of this treatment claim that it can make an autistic child eventually become "indistinguishable from his normal peers" and leads to "recovery" from autism in a large percentage of cases. His methods are currently very popular and although there may be some minor difference "Lovaas therapy" is often used interchangeably with applied behaviour analysis (ABA). Many High Functioning Autistics, as well as some parents and professionals in the field, do not approve of Lovaas's methods.
Low Functioning Autism (LFA) The more severely affected end of the autistic spectrum is what is known as "low functioning" autism. Usually, low functioning autistics have little or no language, some degree of mental retardation, little awareness of other people and expectations, and many stereotypies and other odd behaviours. Self injurious behaviour is much more common in low-functioning autistics than in their high-functioning counterparts. Sometimes a child who seemed to be low-functioning in childhood eventually gains language and some awareness of the world and social norms and will move towards the high functioning end of the spectrum.

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M

memory The capacity to retain and retrieve information; also, the mental structure or structures that account for this capacity and the material that is retained.
mental retardation Delay in cognitive development including intellectual and adaptive skills. Usually defined as an IQ under 70.
mental status exam (MSE) The MSE, which is conducted by a mental health professional, is a formal evaluation of a client's current psychological, emotional, and behavioural functioning. Areas of assessment include: orientation to time, place, and person as well as thought content, cognition, mood, affect, insight, and general intelligence. This evaluation is usually summarized on the five axes of DSM-IV and in a narrative report.
motor skills Use of purposeful movements. Fine motor skills are those which involve small movements such as writing, tying laces, and making crafts. Gross motor skills are those involving large movements and include walking, running, riding a bike, and playing ball. People with poor motor skills are often seen as clumsy or uncoordinated.
mute Lack of speech. See also: elective mutism.

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N

neurological Having to do with the nervous system, including the brain, and its function.
NeuroTypical (NT) Neurologically Typical. An informal term used by the online autism community to denote those whose neurological development and function is within the normal range.
nonverbal Unspoken. Both:
a. Lack of use of speech or other means of communication.
b. Use of body language, facial expressions, and voice inflection to convey meaning. See also: verbal and Nonverbal Learning Disability.
Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD/NLD) Any Learning Disability (LD) which is not Language related. This includes difficulty in recognizing, reading, and interpreting nonverbal communication and difficulties with executive functioning. Closely related to Asperger Syndrome.

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O

objective External, uninvolved and unbiased. See also: subjective.
oblivious Completely unaware.
obsession Persistent, intrusive thoughts, ideas, impulses, or images that repeatedly enter a person's mind. Obsessions are seemingly beyond one's will, and awareness of their inappropriateness is of little or no help in controlling them. Obsessions and obsessive interests are a common feature of autistic spectrum disorders. See also Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) An anxiety disorder in which a person feels trapped in repetitive, persistent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualized behaviours (compulsions). Attempts to resist a compulsion produces mounting tension and anxiety, which are relieved immediately by giving ino it. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder derive no pleasure from it other than the release of tension.
overactive see: hyperactive

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P

passive unresisting, submissive, complacent
PDD-NOS Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified
pedantic formal and uninspired; making a vain display of learning
peripheral Around the edges. Peripheral vision is the ability to see that which is not directly in front or to see "through the corner of the eye."
perseveration A feature of autism. Uncontrollable repetition of a particular response, such as a word, phrase, or gesture, despite the absence or cessation of a stimulus.
personality disorders A diagnostic category on axis II of the DSM-IV characterized by rigid, maladaptive personality petterns that cause personal distress or inability to get along with others. There are 10 different personality disorders, 3 of which are: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), and schizoid personality disorder.
Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) Although sometimes incorrectly used to mean PDD-NOS or to avoid telling a parent their child has autism, PDD is not an actual diagnosis but a diagnostic category in the DSM-IV refering to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. Symptoms may include communication problems such as using and understanding language; difficulty relating to people, objects, and events; unusual play with toys and other objects; difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. Pervasive developmental disorders, sometimes referred to as autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), include: Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome (AS), Rett Syndrome (RS), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) A diagnosis used when someone shows significant autistic traits but does not fit the criteria for a specific PDD. Most people with PDD-NOS are mildly affected although others may have severe symptoms which are atypical in age of onset or insufficient in number for a more precise diagnosis. Sometimes PDD-NOS or "PDD" is used when a doctor is hesitant to say "autism" due to negative or stereotyped ideas about the autistic spectrum.
phobia Extreme irrational fear and avoidance of the object of that fear.
pica The persistent eating of non-nutritive substances, eg .. chalk, clay, grit etc etc. Often occurs with Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and Mental Retardation.
posture Body position and stance.
preoccupation Object of thought, concentration, or attention which is not related to the current environment or circumstances.
prognosis Prediction of the future course of a condition based on research of others with the same or similar symptoms. This includes chances of improvement or degeneration and long term outcome.
prosopagnosia Technical term for face blindness
psychiatry The medical specialty concerned with mental disorders, maladjustment, and abnormal behaviour. Some psychiatrists adhere strictly to the medical model, while others engage in psychotherapy and many use an eclectic approach.
psychology The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism's physical state, mental state and external environment.

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R

Reactive Attachment Disorder (of Infancy or Early Childhood) (RAD/RADI) A disorder of childhood or infancy characterized by the failure of the child to develop normal social relatedness prior to the age of five. The disturbance is marked either by persistent failure of the child to initiate or respond appropriately to social interaction. The disorder is due to neglect of the child's basic physical and emotional needs. It can also be due to the child having multiple care givers, thus preventing them from making the appropriate bonds. In early childhood, the child with RAD may show autistic-like behaviours. Without intervention the child frequently develops Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Antisocial Personality Disorder or characteristics of these disorders.
regression The return to earlier or younger behavior and thinking; or loss of recently acquired skills.
Rett Syndrome (RS) A developmental disorder in the pervasive developmental disorders category of the DSM-IV which occurs only in females. Rett Syndrome is characterized by normal development for the first six months followed by a gradual loss of purposefull hand movements with accompanying stereotypic hand movements, loss of general motor skills, a deceleration in head growth, ataxia, and marked delay and impairment of language development.

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S

Schizoid Personality Disorder A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of affect in interpersonal settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. Sometimes thought to be on the high functioning end of the autistic spectrum. It is not regarded as a form of schizophrenia and is diagnostically differentiated from a schizotypal personality disoder.
schizophrenia A psychotic disorder or disorders marked by some or all of these symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized and incoherent speech, severe emotional abnormalities, and withdrawal into an inner world.
self injurious behaviour (SIB) Behaviours which harm the body, such as biting, hitting, and head banging, often seen in people with Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Generally, high functioning autistics are less likely to engage in these behaviours.
self-stimulate ("stim") Repetetive behaviours designed to stimulate one's own nervous system. Examples of stims are: hand-flapping, spinning, tapping, scratching or picking at skin, blinking excessively, swinging, rocking, etc. Although there are "stims" which neurologically typical ("normal") people engage in, stim behaviour is very common in people with autism.
Semantic Pragmatic Disorder (SPD) A language disorder, closely related to Asperger Syndrome and sometimes used interchangeably with nonverbal learning disability, characterized by difficulty with social communication.
sleep disorders A category in DSM-IV which includes various disorders of sleep: primary sleep disorders such as insomnia and secondary sleep disorders due to medical conditions. Sleep disorders are common in people with autistic spectrum conditions.
startle reaction When an individual reacts strongly to new and unexpected stimuli in the environment. People with Sensory Integrative Dysfunction (SID) and/or Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) may have an exaggerated, underresponsive, or variable startle reaction. Also called startle response.
stereotypy/ stereotyped Uncontrolled, repetitive movement within a restricted pattern. A feature of Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
subjective Individual and internal. Having to do with one's own experience and interpretation of that experience. See also: objective.
symptom Sign of disease or dysfunction.
syndrome Generally, a number of characteristics, features, events or behaviours that seem to go with each other or are believed to be coordinated or interrelated in some way. More specifically, in medicine and clinical psychology, a cluster of characteristics or symptoms which tend to occur together and be indicative of a specific disorder or abnormality.

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T

Theory of Mind (ToM) A theory held by a child or adult about the way one's own mind and other people's minds work, and how people are affected by their beliefs and feelings. One hypothesis is that autistic spectrum disorders involve a lack or deficiency in Theory of Mind, sometimes called mindblindness.
tic A stereotyped, involuntary, spasmodic, nonrhythmic movement or vocalization. Tics are experienced as virtually irresistible although mild forms can be surpressed to some extent. Stress and anxiety typically exacerbrate the condition. See also: Tourette Syndrome.
Tourette Syndrome (TS) A neurological tic disorder characterized, in mild form, by involuntary tics and movements and, in advanced cases by large involuntary bodily movements, noises like barks and whistles, and in many instances an uncontrollable urge to utter obsenities. People with Tourette Syndrome are often impulsive and have other symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder.
trait Generally, any enduring characteristic of a person that can serve an explanatory role of accounting for the observed regularities and consistencies in behaviour.
trauma An event which causes mental and/or physical harm.
treatment Intervention designed to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and (if possible) cure a condition.

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U

underactive hypoactive

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V

verbal Words and their use, usually spoken, but also refers to written language. Someone is verbal if they have the ability to speak and nonverbal if they do not.