Glossary

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Cross-neurotype communication(also: Cross-neurological communication, Neurotype-crossing communication)

Communication between individuals with different neurological profiles, most commonly between autistic and neurotypical people. Cross-neurotype communication is characterized by differences in conversational style — autistic individuals often prefer direct, literal language with…

Double empathy problem(also: Double empathy theory)

A theory proposed by Damian Milton (2012) that reframes communication difficulties between autistic and neurotypical individuals as arising from a mutual lack of understanding rather than a deficit in autistic people alone. The double empathy problem challenges the dominant…

Facial Affect(also: Facial Expression of Emotion, Emotional Facial Expression)

The display of emotion through facial movements, including changes in the position of the eyebrows, eyes, mouth, and other facial features that communicate a person's emotional or mental state. Facial affect is a primary channel of nonverbal social communication and can convey…

Joint Attention(also: Shared Attention)

The shared focus of two or more individuals on the same object or event, typically involving one person directing another's attention through gaze, gesture, or verbal cues. Joint attention is a foundational social-cognitive skill that develops in early childhood and is often…

Joint attention(also: Shared attention)

The shared focus of two or more individuals on the same object or event, typically established through gaze, pointing, or other communicative cues. Joint attention is a foundational social-cognitive skill that develops in early childhood and is often impaired in individuals with…

Perspective-taking(also: Cognitive empathy, Theory of mind)

The cognitive ability to understand and consider another person's thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and point of view. In accessibility and neurodiversity contexts, perspective-taking is central to the double empathy problem — research shows that neurotypical individuals struggle…

Theory of Mind(also: ToM, Mentalizing, Mind Reading)

The cognitive ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intentions, desires, emotions, knowledge—to oneself and others, and to understand that others may have mental states different from one's own. Theory of Mind deficits are associated with autism spectrum disorder and…

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