Neurodivergence glossary

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)   Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been defined by the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC): “AAC is a set of tools and strategies that an individual uses to solve everyday communicative challenges. Communication can take many forms such as: speech, a shared glance, text, gestures, facial expressions, touch, sign language, symbols, pictures, speech-generating devices, etc. Everyone uses multiple forms of communication, based upon the context and our communication partner. Effective communication occurs when the intent and meaning of one individual is understood by another person. The form is less important than the successful understanding of the message” (RCSLT, 2023) 

 

Ableism refers to prejudice and discrimination against disabled individuals. It is rooted in the belief that non-disabled individuals are both dominant within society and superior to disabled individuals. Ableism may take the form of unconscious bias, internal beliefs, external actions, or organisational practices. Disabled individuals may also experience internalised ableism. 

 

Alexithymia is a condition which means that an individual finds it difficult to identify, label, understand, and reflect on their own internal emotional states.  

 

Auditory processing is the ability to understand and interpret sounds, particularly speech sounds and distinguish these from other competing background sounds. Commonly co-occurs with ADHD and dyslexia (e.g. Fostick & Revah, 2018) and sensory processing differences.  

 

Burnout,  also known as ‘autistic burnout’. Burnout has been acknowledged by The Royal College of Psychiatrists in their College Report (2020) which describes burnout as, “a state of exhaustion, associated with functional and cognitive deterioration and an increase in autism symptomatology, as a consequence of coping with social interaction (including masking) and the sensory environment” (p. 27). Burnout refers to increased stress impacting an individual to the point that they are unable to function at their normal capacity and/or experience significant physical or mental health symptoms. Burnout can present differently in neurodivergent individuals, and may include significant skill loss, an inability to mask, and difficulties completing activities of daily living. 

 

Body doubling refers to the act of completing tasks alongside another person. Many ND individuals find that this improves concentration by providing guidance and accountability. Learn more about body doubling.  

 

Co-production refers to people with lived experience of a particular life experience or characteristic playing a vital role in achieving positive outcomes in the development of resources and policies relating to their experience or characteristic. Co-production should be used to develop preventative, strength-based services and contributors should be appropriately rewarded for their contributions. Learn more: Co-production: what it is and how to do it | SCIE 

 

Double empathy problem refers to a breakdown in understanding when two people of very differing dispositions attempt to interact. Miscommunication between Autistic and non-autistic people has traditionally blamed the social communication ‘disorder’ of the autistic person, rather than the interaction between autistic and non-autistic people as a mutual, interpersonal issue. (Milton, 2012; Milton et al, 2022). Learn more about the Double Empathy Problem and also here.  

 

Executive Function refers to a set of cognitive processes which allow an individual to process information, plan, remember, and complete actions. 

 

Internalised ableism refers to when a disabled individual may (consciously or unconsciously) apply ableist beliefs or practices to the themself or other disabled individuals as a way of adopting and adapting to the ableism experienced within wider society. It may manifest as poor self-image, hyper-criticality, or distancing from the wider disabled community.  

 

Interoception refers to an individual’s awareness of their own internal physical and/or emotional processes. 

 

Job carving is used to analyse tasks in a job role and swap an element of the job duties to make the most of individual skills, for example, having a larger dysphagia versus communication caseload. Learn more about different types of job carving. 

 

Masking / Camouflaging refers to the “conscious or unconscious suppression or projection of aspects of self and identity, and the use of non-native cognitive or social strategies” (Pearson & Rose, 2023). This also refers to the ways in which neurodivergent individuals may hide or minimise their neurodivergent characteristics and needs, to pass as neurotypical within the workplace, community, or home environment. Masking can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and difficulties with self-esteem. Many late-diagnosed neurodivergent individuals have learnt to mask over a lifetime and can find it difficult to understand their identity underneath their mask. The process of unmasking refers to learning to no longer hide neurodivergent characteristics. 

 

Misophonia refers to a hyper-sensitivity and intense negative emotional reaction to certain everyday sounds, such as chewing or coughing. Learn more about misophonia from Purple Ella.  

 

Neurodiversity: This refers to the natural variation in cognitive neurotype across the human population. A neurodiverse group is one in which multiple neurocognitive styles are represented. 

 

Neurodivergent / Neurodivergence: Neurodivergence (or a neurodivergent individual) refers to having a non-dominant, non-typical, or minority neurotype. Neurodivergence may be a genetic or acquired condition, and may vary across a lifetime.  

 

Neurodiversity Coaching is “coaching in the workplace allows an employee to develop strategies, systems, and routines to better manage challenges at work while exploring strengths the employee can capitalize on and contribute to the organization” (ADDA, 2023) Learn more about coaching: ADHD Coaching at Work (add.org)  

My First ADHD Coaching Session: My Honest Review – YouTube 

 

NeuroMinority refers to a specific group with a shared condition within the wider neurodivergent community (e.g., autistic individuals, or learning-disabled individuals). Learn more about the Taxonomy of NeuroMinorities (Doyle, 2020).  

 

Neurotypical: Neurotypical refers to a person or people who have the dominant neurotype. 

 

Non-speaking is currently felt to be the preferred term for someone who is non-verbal. Many neurodivergent individuals feel this is the more appropriate term. Some neurodivergent people rely on non-speaking forms of communication, such as instant messaging, emails or AAC as an alternative to speaking. This may be as part of energy conservation management, at times of overload or social anxiety. Learn more from Embrace Autism.  

 

Protected characteristics refers to the 9 characteristics outlined in the Equality Act, 2010: Age; Disability; Gender reassignment; Marriage and civil partnership; Pregnancy and maternity; Race; Religion or belief; Sex; Sexual orientation.  

 

Psychological safety refers to when an individual feels comfortable and able to speak up for themselves, ask questions, engage in debates, and challenge things that they may disagree with, without fear of negative consequences. 

 

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is a commonly discussed manifestation of emotional dysregulation yet remains highly misunderstood and under-researched. It is not currently a recognised diagnosis, but is frequently discussed by lived-experience experts. It is thought to be triggered by real, perceived, or anticipated rejection and/or criticism and causes extreme emotional sensitivity and pain. Research on RSD shows that it does not respond to typical approaches – CBT/talking therapies. RSD may also be triggered by a sense of falling short of our own high standards or others’ expectations, leading to people pleasing, perfectionism, giving up easily, (mis)diagnosis of a MH condition 

 

Self-stimulation/ Stimming – This refers to behaviours or actions that a neurodivergent person may use to regulate their emotions, responses, attention, and behaviours. Stims may take the form of physical movements (e.g., hand-flapping or rocking), vocalisations (e.g., tongue clicking or non-verbal noises), verbalisations (which can include use of echolalia), and use of external stimuli (including fidgets). This is sometimes referred to as stereotyped or ritualised behaviour by medical professions, but stimming is the preferred terminology for most lived experience experts. 

 

Semi-speaking – This is the preferred wording for someone who is ‘semi-verbal’; someone who can speak sometimes but not other times. This term is frequently used by neurodivergent individuals to self-describe this feature of their communication. There is little research on the experiences of semi-speaking individuals, but it is thought to be different from selective or situational mutism in that it is not persistent in certain contexts and the reasons are more likely linked to fatigue or overwhelm, which might be sensory, social, cognitive or emotional in origin. Some people, whose speech is unreliable, may choose to use AAC as a way of conserving energy to manage chronic burnout. Learn more: Hat Talks: How to support semi-speaking colleagues   Blog: Reflection of a neurodivergent, semi-speaking SLT.  

 

Trauma informed practice refers to developing an understanding of the ways in which traumatic experiences may impact upon an individual or organisation. This allows implementation of services which facilitate openness, trauma recovery, and a sense of safety, without retraumatizing individuals.