Glossary

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ABC Model(also: Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence, ABC Analysis, ABC Framework)

A behavioural-science framework, rooted in B. F. Skinner's operant conditioning, that analyses any observed behaviour as a three-part sequence: Antecedent (the situation, trigger, or context immediately before the behaviour), Behaviour (what the person actually did), and…

Anxiety(also: Anxiety Disorder)

An emotional and physiological state characterised by apprehension about future threats, accompanied by heightened autonomic arousal (elevated heart rate, muscle tension, shallow breathing), attentional bias toward danger cues, and often avoidance behaviour. Clinical anxiety…

Behavior Change(also: Behavior Modification, Behavioral Intervention)

Behavior change refers to the systematic process of modifying specific behaviors through structured intervention techniques. In accessibility and disability contexts, behavior change strategies are used to help individuals develop adaptive behaviors, reduce challenging…

COM-B Model(also: COM-B, Capability Opportunity Motivation Behaviour Model)

A behaviour-change framework proposed by Michie, van Stralen, and West (2011) that identifies three necessary conditions for behaviour to occur: Capability (physical and psychological ability, including skills and knowledge), Opportunity (physical and social environment that…

Challenging Behavior(also: Problem Behavior, Behaviors of Concern)

Actions by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities that pose risks to themselves or others, or significantly interfere with daily activities and learning. In the context of autism, challenging behaviors are often classified into categories such as…

Co-Regulation(also: Coregulation)

Co-regulation is the process by which one person helps another manage their emotional or physiological state, through presence, calming behaviours, modelling coping strategies, or environmental adjustment. It is well established in developmental psychology (parent helping a…

Emotion Regulation(also: Affect Regulation, Self-Regulation of Emotion)

The processes by which a person monitors, evaluates, and modifies emotional reactions to achieve goals or meet situational demands — including selecting or changing situations, directing attention, reframing meaning (cognitive reappraisal), and adjusting outward expression.…

Perseveration(also: Perseverative Behavior)

The uncontrolled repetition of a response, word, phrase, or action that persists beyond the appropriate context. In people with cognitive impairments such as dementia, brain injury, or certain developmental disabilities, perseveration can manifest as repeatedly pressing the same…

Planning Fallacy

A well-documented cognitive bias, identified by Kahneman and Tversky and elaborated by Buehler and colleagues, in which people systematically underestimate how long their own tasks will take and overestimate how much they can finish, even when they have direct evidence that…

Prosociality(also: Prosocial Behavior, Prosocial Behaviour)

Prosociality refers to voluntary behaviour intended to benefit others, including helping, sharing, comforting, and cooperating. In accessibility and dementia research, prosocial acts observed during group activities - passing a card so a peer can see it, a reassuring touch on…

Restricted Interest(also: Circumscribed Interest, Perseverative Interest, Fixated Interest)

An intense, narrow focus on specific topics, objects, or activities that is characteristic of autism spectrum disorder. Restricted interests can range from common subjects like trains, maps, or specific fictional characters to highly unusual topics like electricity pylons or…

Self-Management(also: Self-Management Intervention, Self-Management Strategy)

Self-management is a behavioral intervention approach in which individuals learn to independently monitor, evaluate, and modify their own behavior to achieve specific goals. In disability contexts, self-management strategies are widely used to help individuals with autism and…

Self-Monitoring(also: Self-Recording, Self-Observation)

Self-monitoring is the practice of systematically observing and recording one's own behavior, emotions, or activities, typically as part of a broader self-management or behavioral intervention program. In accessibility and disability contexts, self-monitoring tools —…

Stress Management(also: Stress Regulation, Stress Reduction)

The set of techniques and practices used to reduce the physiological and psychological impact of acute and chronic stress — including controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness meditation, cognitive reappraisal, biofeedback, physical activity, and social…

Vocal Stereotypy(also: Vocal Stereotypies, Vocal Stim)

Repetitive, non-functional vocalizations that serve no apparent communicative purpose, commonly observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Vocal stereotypies may include repetitive humming, squealing, echolalia (repeating heard…

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