Glossary

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Sensory Processing(also: Sensory Integration, Sensory Processing Differences)

Sensory processing refers to the way the nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory input from the environment, including sound, light, touch, smell, taste, and movement. When sensory processing works differently — as is common in autistic individuals and people…

Sensory Processing Disorder(also: SPD, Sensory Integration Disorder, Sensory Integration Dysfunction)

A condition in which the brain has difficulty receiving, organizing, and responding to sensory information from the environment and the body. People with Sensory Processing Disorder may be oversensitive or undersensitive to sensory input — including touch, sound, light,…

Sensory Regulation(also: Sensory Modulation, Sensory Processing Management)

The ability to manage and respond appropriately to sensory input from the environment. People with conditions such as autism, ADHD, migraines, or sensory processing disorders may experience heightened sensitivity to light, sound, temperature, or touch. Smart home technology can…

Sensory Sensitivities(also: Sensory sensitivity, Sensory processing differences)

Heightened or reduced responses to everyday sensory input — noise, light, glare, texture, smell, temperature, or movement — that significantly affect attention, regulation, comfort, and participation. Sensory sensitivities are commonly reported among autistic people and others…

Sensory overload(also: Sensory overstimulation, Overstimulation)

A state in which the brain receives more sensory input than it can effectively process, leading to feelings of overwhelm, distress, anxiety, or shutdown. Sensory overload is particularly common among autistic individuals and people with sensory processing differences, but can…

Sensory processing(also: Sensory integration, Sensory modulation)

The neurological process of receiving, organising, and interpreting sensory information from the environment (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, proprioception, vestibular input) to produce appropriate responses. Differences in sensory processing are common in autism, ADHD, and…

Spatial sensitivity(also: Personal space sensitivity, Proxemic sensitivity)

Heightened awareness of and discomfort with the physical proximity of others or objects, particularly common among autistic individuals and people with anxiety or PTSD. Spatial sensitivity involves strong reactions to violations of personal space boundaries, which can extend to…

Special Interest(also: Hyperfocus Interest, Intense Interest)

A special interest is a deep, focused, and often long-lasting passion for a specific topic, activity, or subject area, commonly experienced by autistic individuals. Special interests go beyond typical hobbies in their intensity and depth of knowledge, and they can be a source of…

Special Interest Areas(also: SIAs, Circumscribed Interests, Intense Interests)

Special interest areas (SIAs) refer to the intense, focused interests that are characteristic of many autistic individuals. While traditionally viewed through a deficit lens as "restricted" or "repetitive" behaviours, strengths-based approaches recognize SIAs as powerful…

Special Interests(also: Restricted Interests, Intense Interests)

Special interests are focused, intense, and often enduring areas of passion commonly observed in autistic children and adults - such as trains, dinosaurs, specific cartoon characters, or numerical systems. Once framed deficit-wise in diagnostic criteria as "restricted…

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