Glossary

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ADHD(also: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that affect executive function, including working memory, task initiation, sustained attention, and self-regulation. ADHD affects an estimated 3-6% of adults…

ADHD Subtype(also: ADHD Presentation, ADHD Type)

A classification of ADHD based on the predominant symptom pattern experienced by an individual. The three recognized subtypes are: predominantly inattentive (difficulty sustaining attention, following through on tasks, and organizing activities), predominantly…

ADHD Tax(also: Disability Tax, Crip Tax)

The additional financial, emotional, and intellectual costs that people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions must pay to navigate systems designed for neurotypical functioning. Examples include purchasing productivity apps, planners, and wearable devices to compensate…

Affective Lability(also: Mood Lability, Emotional Lability)

A pattern of rapid, unpredictable shifts in emotional state, often involving intense fluctuations between positive and negative moods with minimal external provocation. Affective lability is commonly associated with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder,…

Allistic(also: Non-Autistic)

A term used to describe people who are not autistic, regardless of whether they are neurotypical in other respects. The term was created within autistic communities to provide a specific counterpart to "autistic" that does not frame autism as deviation from a norm. Using…

Aphantasia(also: Mind Blindness)

Aphantasia is a neurological condition in which a person is unable to voluntarily create mental images or visualize objects, people, or scenes in their mind. It affects an estimated 2-5% of the population and exists on a spectrum from reduced imagery to complete absence. In…

AuDHD(also: Autism and ADHD co-occurrence)

A term used by the neurodivergent community to describe the co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the same individual. Research suggests significant overlap between the two conditions, with estimates indicating that 50-70% of…

Audio-Visual Entrainment(also: AVE, Brainwave Entrainment)

Audio-visual entrainment (AVE) is a therapeutic technique that uses rhythmic light and sound stimuli to influence brainwave activity, guiding the brain toward specific frequency states associated with relaxation, focus, or reduced anxiety. The technique has been demonstrated to…

Auditory processing disorder(also: APD, Central auditory processing disorder, CAPD)

A neurological condition in which the brain has difficulty interpreting and organizing sounds despite normal hearing ability. Unlike hearing loss, auditory processing disorder affects how the central auditory nervous system processes what is heard, making it difficult to…

Autism(also: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, Autism Spectrum Condition)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behavior and interests. Autism exists on a spectrum with wide variation in how it presents and the level of support individuals may need. Accessibility for…

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule(also: ADOS, ADOS-2)

A standardized diagnostic protocol for autism that uses structured and semi-structured social interaction tasks between an examiner and the person being assessed. First published in 1989 and designed based on a sample of children aged 6-18, it was followed by a second edition…

Autism Spectrum Disorder(also: ASD, Autism)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behavior and interests. Autism exists on a broad spectrum with highly variable presentations. In reading accessibility contexts, research has found that…

Autism Spectrum Disorder(also: ASD, Autism)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behavior or interests. Autism exists on a spectrum, meaning it presents differently across individuals — some may have significant support needs while others…

Autism spectrum disorder(also: ASD, Autism, Autism spectrum)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, interaction patterns, and restricted or repetitive behaviors, with wide variation in how it manifests across individuals. The spectrum nature of ASD means that people have highly diverse support…

Autistic Burnout(also: Autistic Fatigue, Neurodivergent Burnout)

A state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion experienced by autistic people, often resulting from the cumulative effect of masking (suppressing autistic traits to appear neurotypical), sensory overload, and the ongoing effort of navigating environments not designed for…

Autistic Joy

A concept articulated by Elliot Wassell and widely discussed in autistic communities describing the intense, absorbing pleasure autistic people can experience in special interests, sensory engagement, deep focus, and preferred modes of working. Autistic joy is typically framed…

Autistic Meltdown(also: Meltdown, Sensory Meltdown)

An autistic meltdown is an intense, involuntary response to overwhelming sensory, emotional, or cognitive overload, during which an autistic person may temporarily lose the ability to regulate their behavior, emotions, or communication. Meltdowns can manifest as crying, shutting…

Autistic Sociality(also: Autistic Social Interaction, Atypical Sociality)

The distinct ways in which autistic people form social connections, build community, and engage in relationships — which differ from neurotypical social norms but are not deficient. Autistic sociality may emphasize shared interests over personal relationships, prefer text-based…

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