The neurodivergence glossary

Alexithymia: A construct describing difficulty identifying, distinguishing or describing one's emotions, often with a more externally focused thinking style. It does not mean having no emotions, empathy or capacity for love, and the degree of difficulty can vary by person and situation.
Comorbidity: The presence of two or more conditions in the same person, such as ADHD and an anxiety disorder. Many people prefer the neutral phrase co-occurring conditions. Each condition still needs appropriate assessment because one label does not automatically explain another symptom.
Double empathy: A framework proposing that misunderstandings between autistic and non-autistic people can arise from differences in experience and communication on both sides, rather than only from an autistic deficit. It does not mean every misunderstanding is equal or remove the effects of context, power and individual ability. Learn more : ASD / Autism
Echolalia: The immediate or delayed repetition of words or phrases heard previously. Echolalia may serve communicative, language-processing, regulatory or other functions, and its meaning depends on the person and context. Repetition alone does not show whether someone is listening or understanding. Learn more : ASD / Autism
Emotional dysregulation: Difficulty noticing, modulating or responding effectively to emotions in context. It can involve intensity, duration, impulsive action or difficulty returning to usual functioning, and it can occur across many conditions. Distress is real, while harmful behaviour still requires responsibility and support. Learn more : Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Executive functions: A group of cognitive processes involved in planning, holding information in mind, starting and switching tasks, monitoring actions and inhibiting responses. Difficulties can occur in many conditions and situations. They are not, by themselves, proof of laziness, ADHD or a lack of effort. Learn more : ADHD
Hyperfocus: An informal term for highly absorbed attention that can make time, other tasks or bodily needs less noticeable. It is often discussed in ADHD communities but is not a diagnostic criterion. The focus may be useful, enjoyable, disruptive or several of these depending on the context. Learn more : ADHD
Inertia: An informal description of difficulty starting, stopping or switching an activity despite intending to do so. It can be discussed in autistic and ADHD communities but is not a diagnosis and can have many causes. The term describes a barrier, not a complete explanation of it.
Interoception: The sensing and interpretation of internal bodily signals such as heartbeat, breathing, hunger, thirst, pain or bladder fullness. A person may notice some signals more, less or differently. Interoception can contribute to emotional awareness but is not the same thing as emotion itself.
Late diagnosis: Receiving recognition of a condition well after its usual onset, often in adolescence or adulthood. A later diagnosis can bring relief, grief, questions or mixed feelings. It may provide useful context without explaining every experience or determining someone's identity. Learn more : ADHD
Masking: Reducing, hiding or compensating for traits to meet social expectations, sometimes deliberately and sometimes habitually. Masking may help a person navigate a situation or stay safe, but sustained masking can also require substantial effort and is associated with distress for some people. Learn more : ASD / Autism
Meltdown: An informal term for an intense response to overload that may involve crying, shouting, movement or loss of usual behavioural control. It is not the same as a deliberate tantrum, but safety and impact still matter. Support should be based on the person's plan rather than one assumed response. Learn more : ASD / Autism
Neurodivergence: A broad, non-medical umbrella term for ways of thinking, learning, developing or processing that differ from dominant expectations. Definitions vary, and the term can include disabilities or health conditions without implying one shared cause, personality or level of support need.
Neurotypical: This is a person whose brain works in the way society expects. The word is just a reference point, not a judgement: neurotypical is neither better nor worse.
Proprioception: The sense of body position and movement, based on signals from muscles, tendons and joints. Differences may contribute to coordination or movement-seeking experiences, but bumping into things or wanting pressure can have several causes and does not establish a sensory condition by itself.
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD): An informal term for intense distress linked to actual or perceived rejection, criticism or failure. RSD is not a recognised diagnosis or an official ADHD criterion, and similar reactions can have several explanations. The label should describe an experience rather than replace assessment. Learn more : ADHD
Self-identification: Using a neurodivergent or condition-related label without formal clinical confirmation. Self-identification may support reflection and community access when assessment is unavailable, but it is not the same as a clinical diagnosis and should not be used to rule out other explanations or care needs.
Sensory overload: A state in which sensory input such as sound, light, touch, smell or movement becomes overwhelming and interferes with functioning. Triggers and helpful responses vary; reducing input, leaving the setting or taking recovery time may help some people.
Shutdown: An informal term some autistic people use for becoming less able to move, speak, decide or respond during overload. Experiences and helpful responses vary. Reducing demands and asking about an agreed support plan may help, while new or medically concerning symptoms need appropriate assessment. Learn more : ASD / Autism
Special interests: A community term often used for highly focused interests associated with autism. They may provide enjoyment, regulation, knowledge or connection, but intensity and impact vary. An interest can be supportive and still interfere with sleep, obligations or shared time in some circumstances. Learn more : ASD / Autism
Spectrum: In autism, spectrum refers to varied combinations of social-communication features, repetitive or restricted patterns, sensory experiences and support needs. It is not a single line from less to more autistic, and two autistic people can differ substantially across these dimensions. Learn more : ASD / Autism
Stimming: An informal term for repetitive movement, sound or use of objects, such as rocking, tapping or humming. Stimming may support regulation, expression, attention or enjoyment, but its function varies. A harmful or self-injurious behaviour deserves support without suppressing safe stims simply for looking different. Learn more : ASD / Autism

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