Glossary

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(also: ACT)

A form of cognitive behavioral therapy that encourages acceptance of unwanted thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or suppressing them, combined with commitment to actions aligned with personal values. For OCD, ACT teaches individuals to acknowledge obsessive thoughts…

Aided Language Stimulation(also: Aided Language Modeling, Aided Language Input, ALgS)

A communication intervention technique in which a conversation partner models language on an AAC device while speaking, pointing to symbols on the learner's communication system as they talk. This includes describing their own actions, narrating the learner's actions, providing…

Animal-Assisted Therapy(also: AAT, Pet Therapy)

A non-pharmacological therapeutic approach in which interaction with animals — typically dogs, cats, or horses — is used to support physical, cognitive, social, or emotional health goals. Evidence suggests AAT can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood and…

Applied Behavior Analysis(also: ABA, ABA Therapy)

A therapeutic approach based on behavioral psychology principles that aims to increase desired behaviors and decrease undesired ones through systematic reinforcement. ABA is widely used as an intervention for autistic children, particularly in the United States. While proponents…

Applied Behavioral Analysis(also: ABA, Behavioral Analysis, Behaviour Analysis)

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding and changing behavior through systematic observation, measurement, and evidence-based intervention. In accessibility and disability contexts, ABA principles — including positive reinforcement, prompting,…

Applied Behavioural Analysis(also: ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis)

A therapeutic approach based on behaviorist principles that uses reinforcement and conditioning to modify behaviour, widely used with autistic children. ABA has become increasingly controversial within the autistic community and among disability scholars. Critics argue that it…

Art Therapy(also: Creative Arts Therapy, Arts Therapy)

A form of psychotherapy that uses creative art-making as the primary mode of expression and communication. Art therapy is facilitated by trained therapists and can involve painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, and other visual arts activities. For older adults with dementia and…

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…

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