Glossary of terms

AAC

Augmentative and alternative communication – see leaflet

Alexithymia

A term used to describe difficulty identifying and describing ones own emotions

Allistic

this is a term used by some to refer to someone who is not autistic rather than using the term neurotypical. it is another way of saying non-autistic

Analytic language processor

this is someone who learns language in stages from single words to two words together to developing grammar in phrases and sentences. They learn language in stages and tune into single words.

Burnout

a state of emotional and physical exhaustion following long term stress

coregulation

this is when the adult maintains a warm, calm approach whilst modelling emotional regulation strategies.  It is about the connection, trust and empathy following a child’s emotional response. 

Double empathy problem

A theory that helps to describe what happens when autistic and non-autistic people struggle to understand each other which was developed by Dr Damian Milton.

Dysregulated

when someone is not feeling in a calm and stable mood, and is instead feeling worried, anxious or overwhelmed

Echolalic

this is repetition of the speech a child has heard. It can be delayed echolalia or immediate echolalia

Emotional regulation

This is the ability to manage emotions in a given situation.

Executive function

relates to thinking processes needing for planning, organising, controlling impulses, problem solving and recalling information in the short term.

Gestalt language processor

This is someone who learns language in chunks rather than single words and hears the melody of language. Echolalia (see above) is an essential part of gestalt learners language development.

hyperfocus

keep sustained attention without stopping or having a break on a certain activity.

Intonation

Intonation is what makes the melody or rhythm of our speech. It is the way the sound of the voice changes by rising and falling in pitch whilst someone is speaking; especially when this has an effect on the meaning of what is said. An example of intonation is when we raise our voice at the end of the sentence when asking a question.

Masking

Masking is the act of camouflaging to ‘hide’ their natural responses to situations or circumstances to fit and blend in

Neurodivergent

This is a broad umbrella term which refers to individuals who’s brains are thought of as diverging from the norm. This includes autism, adhd and dyslexia. See leaflet for more information

Neurodiverse

A group of people is neurodiverse if one or more members of the group are different from other members of the group in terms of the way their brain functions

Neurodiversity

This is the diversity of human minds and the concept that all brains are different. It refers to all humans and does not refer to individuals (see neurodiversity leaflet)

Neurodiversity movement

This is a social justic movement that seeks civil rights, equality, respect and full societal inclusion for the neurodivergent

Neurodiversity paradigm

This is the philosophical foundation for the neurodiversity movement.

Neurotype

This comes from combining the words neuro meaning brain and type which is used to describe different types of brains

Neurotypical

This refers to having a cognitive style which fits within what society understands as ‘normal’. It is the opposite of neurodivergent

PODD

Pragmatic organisation dymanic display is a communication system created by Gayle Porter which uses pragmatic pathways to navigate around a communication book or app

processing

 our brain receives, stores and responds to information that can relate to sound, vision and language

self regulation

This is the use of strategies to manage our emotions in a given situation.

stimming

repetitive sounds or actions that provides sensory input that is needed to support emotional regulation

survivial responses

These are the stress responses to situations and include fight, flight, freeze and fawn. 

Transitions

This is when there is a change from one thing to another such as from one activity to another or from a year group to another.