Autism Spectrum Explained – Comprehensive Autism Dictionary

[DJ-Daz]

An Autism Dictionary for everyone.


A quick word on language, do not refer to autistic people as "having autism" like it's disease. Please refer to people on the spectrum as being autistic.
I am autistic, I do not have autism.

If I'd had a list like this before my assessment, then I would have better understood myself and been more at ease after receiving the phone call and subsequent letter. That is my aim, to make self-diagnosis and the pre-and-post assessment process of learning who you are as easy and informative as possible.

It was cathartic creating this, I hope it helps you understand yourself or the autistic person in your life.

If you spot any errors or omissions please report them to dj.dazbo @ gmail.com or on reddit I could really do with your help, thank you.

This will no doubt be a continuous work in progress.
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Co-occurring morbidity. Don't go to the worst place possible, it just means that conditions like Autism and ADHD also come with other conditions like OCD, Elhers-Danlos syndrome, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, sleep disorders, bipolar disorder and sadly many many more.

AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to a range of strategies and tools that support individuals with autism who have difficulty communicating through speech. AAC can include anything from gestures and sign language to picture-based systems and high-tech communication devices. It aims to enhance communication, not replace natural speech, and can significantly improve social interaction and independence for autistic individuals.
Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/aug-alt-comm

ABA Therapy Applied Behaviour Therapy
ABA therapy aims to remove the guards to social integration, it's tailored to the individual by improving positive behaviours and helping to reduce the negative behaviours.
Initially created by O. Ivar Lovaas, the same person who created gay conversion therapy, it has been and will be considered potentially dangerous in the long term. See Autism Masking.
Further reading: https://www.reddit.com/r/AutisticAdults/comments/18tnlqb/why_is_aba_therapy_considered_abusive_by_the/
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/positive-behaviour-support-pbs

Ableism also known as ablism, disablism, anapirophobia, anapirism, and disability discrimination is discrimination and social prejudice against physically or mentally disabled people. Ableism characterises people as they are defined by their disabilities and it also classifies disabled people as people who are inferior to non-disabled people. On this basis, people are assigned or denied certain perceived abilities, skills, or character orientations.
Further Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ableism

Acid Reflux
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). If it keeps happening, it may be called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Individuals with ASD and GERD are also more prone to developing erosive esophagitis and esophageal ulcers.


ADHD - Attentions deficit hyperactive disorder.
Characterised by ongoing issues with focus, excessive energy, and difficulty controlling impulses. It affects both children and adults, and can make daily tasks and personal growth challenging. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can impair daily functioning.
Further Reading: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878

Alcohol. Many autistic adults do use alcohol and that they often use it to cope with the stresses of being autistic in a neurotypical world. Alcohol can become part of the “masking” and coping strategies some autistic people do to fit in with others. Eventually this can become a serious problem. Ask me how I know
Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/autism-alcohol

Alexithymia
We have trouble with our emotions, recognising our internal emotions correctly or being so overwhelmed to the point we feel almost nothing, or difficulty simply describing how we're feeling. We also have a great deal of trouble reading emotions in other people.
Further Reading: https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/anxiety-and-autism-hub/alexithymia

Alien Autistics often feel "different", like an Alien dropped on this Earth to just fit in. It's this feeling that forces me to internalise my differences and think on what makes me different and why.
Further Reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/the-spectrum/spectrum-collections/alien-archive

Allistic is a term for a person or people who are not autistic.
further reading: https://www.neurosparkhealth.com/blog/what-does-allistic-mean

Ambidextrous Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to be non-right-handed (left-handed or mixed-handed) than individuals in the general population. This atypical handedness is more prevalent in individuals with autism than in those with other developmental disabilities. While ambidexterity (the ability to use both hands equally well) is relatively rare in the general population, it may be more common in individuals with autism.
My experience: I thought ambidexterity meant I could use both hands to do the same thing, such as writing or football. In reality it means that I can write or shoot with my left, play snooker, cricket or golf with my right hand. It depends on the task. Some are left, some are right.
further reading: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/jan/26/ambidextrous-children-schools

Aphantasia
Aphantasia is the inability to visualise mental images. Some studies indicate that individuals with autism may be more likely to experience aphantasia, but this doesn't mean that aphantasia is a symptom of autism or that everyone with autism has aphantasia. Also see Hyperphantasia.
Further reading: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810021000131

ARFID Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Characterised by "picky" eating, restricting certain foods or preferring certain foods over others.
Children and adults with ARFID are extremely selective eaters and sometimes have little interest in eating food. They may eat a limited variety of preferred foods, which can lead to poor growth and poor nutrition.

AuDHD refers to autistic people who were given a further diagnosis of ADHD. Refers to AuDHD.

According to the scientific literature, 50 to 70% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also present with co-morbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837424/full
For further reading see: https://behavioral-innovations.com/blog/the-sudden-rise-of-audhd/

Autism
Autism is a neuro-developmental condition characterised by difficulties in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests. It is a life-long condition.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/

Autism Assessment Scary times! An assessment can be anything from a couple of meetings to six sessions. Mine was an hour long video conference, followed up a few days later with an hour long in-person observational test. This second part left me feeling completely shell-shocked and very bewildered for a week. I won't go into why, that's a surprise, I will only say that this is meant to be a stressful examination, designed to push you into showing obvious autism or ADHD signs. Plus is helps remove people who are not on the spectrum as they would behave VERY differently. Just be warned, there could be some fallout for some time afterwards. This is normal, don't panic.

Autist is a term sometimes used to refer to a person with autism. However, many autistic individuals and their advocates prefer the term "autistic person" or "person with autism" as it emphasises autism as an inherent part of their identity.

Autistic auditory processing disorder APD refers to difficulties in processing auditory information, even with normal hearing, while ASD encompasses a range of developmental differences that can affect communication and social interactions. APD is a brain difficulty in processing sounds. See also Hyperacusis.
Further reading: https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/auditory-processing-disorder

Autistic Elopement / Wandering refers to the tendency of individuals with autism to leave a safe environment or caregiver's supervision without permission, potentially putting them at risk. It's a common concern, with research suggesting that nearly half of children with autism engage in elopement behavior, often driven by sensory sensitivities, a desire to escape overwhelming situations, or to seek out something they enjoy.
Further reading: https://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/wandering/

Autistic Inertia Autistic inertia describes the difficulty many autistic people experience in starting, stopping, or switching tasks, similar to the physical law of inertia where an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by a force. This challenges executive functions, which are brain processes responsible for planning, initiating, maintaining, and switching between activities.
Right now I'm hungry as I type this, but I can't pull myself away to make something to eat.
Further reading: https://autismunderstood.co.uk/autistic-differences/autistic-inertia/

Autistic Life Expectancy. There is an Australian report which claims that men on the spectrum have an average life expectancy of 54 years and women 56 years. Imagine my distress when I hit 54 and was still waiting for an assessment.
Australian report: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Autism/autism/Report/section?id=committees%2Freportsen%2F024412%2F72470
However a report from the university college London found little difference for men and women without a learning disability, and for men with a learning disability the life expectancy only dropped by 3 years. Sadly women are a little worse off.
A quote from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/research-into-the-life-expectancy-of-autistic-peop

On average, autistic men without a learning disability had an estimated life expectancy of 74.6 years, and autistic women without a learning disability had an average of 76.8 years.
For autistic people who also had a diagnosed learning disability, average estimated life expectancies were lower, with men having a life expectancy of 71.7 years and women having a life expectancy of 69.6 years. These estimates all have a degree of uncertainty, particularly for women due to the smaller numbers of women who have been diagnosed autistic.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/nov/premature-death-autistic-people-uk-investigated-first-time

Autism Masking Masking is something we all do, both neuro-typical and autistic, but on the spectrum it's about trying to hide our traits and quirks allowing us to better fit into society, which means we mask more and for longer. When you want to show excitement, by clapping or hand waving, you can't, you have to stop yourself. Why, because it's not acceptable or undesirable to neuro-typicals. We mask to make everyone else feel at ease with us.
The National Autistic Society has a very lengthy essay on masking, it's small benefits and catastrophic impacts of long term masking.
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/masking

Autistic Perseverance/Perseveration Getting stuck in a loop. Perseveration makes it hard to get out of the current thoughts, making us ruminate constantly on our focus.
Thought loops:
Ruminating or getting stuck in negative thought patterns, such as worrying about the past or future.
Fixation on interests:
Continuously talking about or engaging in a particular topic or activity, to the exclusion of others.
Repetitive actions:
Performing the same physical movement or action repeatedly, even after the stimulus has stopped.
Repetitive speech:
Saying the same word or phrase over and over, or asking the same question multiple times.
Difficulty with transitions:
Finding it hard to stop an activity and switch to something else.
Further reading: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/perseveration-in-autism/

Autistic Traits refers to a series of conditions that autistic people have, like poor eye contact, social difficulties, and sensitivity to sight sound and smells.
Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism

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Being Perceived This is a big one.
The fear of being perceived, which can also be described as the fear of “being seen,” is a particularly intense experience for many neurodivergent people. Whether autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent, individuals who experience this fear often feel hyper-aware of how they are viewed by others. This anxiety can be exacerbated by societal expectations and the pressure to conform to neurotypical norms, which can lead to masking, emotional exhaustion, and self-doubt. Understanding why it occurs and how it manifests in behaviour can help neurodivergent individuals find ways to cope with and alleviate the fear of being perceived.
Further Reading: https://www.neurosparkhealth.com/blog/the-fear-of-being-perceived-in-neurodivergent-people

Bipolar Disorder (BPD) Bipolar disorder is a mental state where the person will have incredible highs (mania) and intolerable lows (depression). Some studies estimate autistic BPD to between 5% and 7%, compared with an estimated rate of 1% in the general population. Sadly people on the spectrum are more likely to be diagnosed are Bipolar before they eventually get an Autism diagnosis. Getting the correct diagnosis is often difficult as there are some symptoms of both conditions that overlap, and a person can have Autism and BPD.
Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/bipolar-disorder

Bullying
Autistic children and young people are more at risk of being bullied than their peers because of the different ways they communicate and difficulty interacting with others. The long-term effects of bullying can be serious. Research suggests bullied children can end up with long-lasting insecurities, behavioural issues and low self-esteem, as well as poor concentration.
Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/bullying/bullying/parents

Burnout Autistic burnout is a prolonged period of both physical and mental exhaustion, along with being sensitive to sensory overload, stress, depression and social isolation, and most annoyingly Brain Fog, making it hard to concentrate and focus!.
Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/autistic-burnout

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This is here for no other reason that I found it fascinating.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nYThCDdqF1E

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Depression People on the spectrum are 4 times more likely to suffer depression, some studies have found that we will be depressed for longer periods too.
Symptoms of depression can include:

• Feeling sad, low or hopeless for an extended period

• Losing enthusiasm about hobbies or activities you normally enjoy

• Changes in appetite

• Sleep problems, such as sleeping too much or not enough

• Avoiding your friends or family

• Lack of optimism for the future

• Suicidal thoughts or ideation

If you have depression, please see a doctor as soon as humanly possible. It can't be cured if you're are autistic, but you can learn to cope with the symptoms and causes of depression.

Diagnostic criteria The current diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are outlined in the DSM-5 and focus on persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, alongside restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. These criteria must be present from early childhood, though they may not fully manifest until later in life when social demands exceed capabilities.
Further reading: This site covers both ICD and DSM criteria

Double Empathy Problem The idea is that because we find it difficult to talk and listen to neuro-typicals, we struggle to empathise with them, even if it was a similar or shared trauma, we just can't connect with that person. Creating further isolation.
We do feel what people are discussing, we just find it difficult to show that emotion.
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/double-empathy

DSM Diagnostic and statistical Manual is a widely used manual for classifying and diagnosing mental disorders. It is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The DSM provides a common language for clinicians and researchers to communicate about mental health conditions, using a standard set of criteria and diagnostic codes. While the DSM-5 is primarily a US publication, it is also influential in the UK, particularly in research settings. However, the primary diagnostic manual used in the UK's NHS is the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Further reading: DSM-V https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm
Further reading: ICD https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/classification-of-diseases

Dyslexia Characterised by difficulty reading and writing, sometimes words are fine but numbers are hard, and vice versa, and sometimes both are difficult. Yes we can also have dyslexia too. One other symptom of dyslexia is trouble with directions. I found it almost impossible to follow directions as a HGV driver, and if I absolutely had to ask for directions, I would just ask them to point in the direction I needed to head to.
Further reading: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/

Dyspraxia Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.
Further reading: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia/

Dyscalculia Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects a person's ability to understand and work with numbers and mathematics. It can manifest as difficulties with basic arithmetic, number sense, and understanding mathematical concepts. People with dyscalculia may struggle with tasks like counting, performing calculations, and remembering math facts.
Further Reading: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyscalculia/how-can-i-identify-dyscalculia

Dysregulation Is emotional dysregulation, often referred to as ED, is a common challenge for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), characterised by difficulty managing and responding to emotional experiences. This can manifest as intense, disproportionate, or prolonged emotional responses, often difficult to control.
See Interoception.

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Echolalia the repetition of sounds, words, or phrases, often mirroring what someone else has said. It's a common part of language development in young children, but can also be a symptom of various conditions, including autism and Tourette syndrome.
Further reading: https://autismawarenesscentre.com/understanding-echolalia-in-autism-spectrum-disorders/

Elhers-Danlos syndrome Research continues to show that people with joint hyper-mobility, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are more likely to be autistic than would be expected by chance. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis by Carolina Baeza-Velasco et al, found that approximately 31% of autistic individuals exhibit joint hypermobility, and about 39% of people with EDS or HSD meet diagnostic criteria for autism. EDS is characterised by joint pain, hypermobility, vascular problems and unstable joints that dislocate easily.

Executive Dysfunction refers to difficulties with cognitive processes like planning, organization, and flexible thinking, which are crucial for daily tasks and overall functioning. It's not a separate diagnosis but rather a common experience for many autistic individuals.

What is Executive Functioning? Executive functions are a set of mental processes that help us plan, organize, and manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions. These functions are essential for:

Planning and Organization: Deciding what to do, breaking down tasks, and sequencing steps.

• Initiation: Starting tasks and activities.

• Working Memory: Holding information in mind to complete tasks.

• Cognitive Flexibility: Shifting between tasks, adapting to new situations, and thinking about things in different ways.

• Self-Regulation: Managing emotions, controlling impulses, and staying focused.

Further reading: https://autismawarenesscentre.com/executive-function-what-is-it-and-how-do-we-support-it-in-those-with-autism-part-i/

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Female Autism presentation

Autistic characteristics in women and girls may differ from those of other autistic people. They might seem to have fewer social difficulties than autistic men and boys, but this could be because they are more likely to 'mask' their autistic traits (though the stress of doing so can result in anxiety and overwhelm). At school, autistic girls may be more likely to be part of a friendship group and this could be a reason that teachers don't notice their differences. They may also be missed if their academic achievement masks difficulties they are facing in other areas.

Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/identity/autistic-women-and-girls and https://www.oxfordcbt.co.uk/female-autism-checklist/

Female Phenotype See Female autism presentation.

Focus See Special Interest

Food intolerance Autistic individuals are more likely to experience digestive problems such as bloating, constipation, and stomach pain. These issues can be linked to food intolerances, which are different from allergies, as they don't involve the immune system.
I am unable to find any research showing Mast Cell Activation in the gut and food intolerance, and then exacerbating autism symptoms.

Here Orion Kelly discusses gut problems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb58LIokUBc

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High and Low functioning The terms "high-functioning" and "low-functioning" autism are outdated and inaccurate ways to describe autistic individuals. They are not formal diagnostic categories and can be harmful, leading to misinterpretations of an individual's needs and abilities. Instead, it's more accurate and respectful to recognise autism as a spectrum with varying degrees of support needs.
Further reading: https://www.bristolautismsupport.org/functioning-labels-damaging-irrelevant/

Hyper-phantasia is a condition where individuals experience extremely vivid and detailed mental imagery, often described as being as clear and realistic as real-life perception. It's the opposite of aphantasia, where people lack mental imagery altogether. Those with hyperphantasia can often conjure up detailed mental recreations of all five senses, not just sight.
Further reading: https://neurolaunch.com/hyperphantasia-autism/

Hyperacusis is a hearing condition where everyday sounds seem excessively loud and uncomfortable, sometimes even painful. It's a form of decreased sound tolerance, where the brain over-sensitizes to auditory input. This can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult to tolerate normal environments and leading to avoidance of social situations.
Further reading: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hyperacusis/

Hypervigilance is an increased alertness to the things around us, especially people. This heightened sense of awareness can be triggered by external stimuli such as sounds, flashes and smells. It's cause is usually PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
See Being Perceived
See PTSD

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ICD (International Classification of Diseases - World health organisation) See DSM

Implosion an autistic implosion is the same as a meltdown, only more damaging and there are little to no external cues that it is happening. During an implosion the person will often retreat to their safe place (elopement). The increased damage results from not being able to externalise their anger and therefore turns that anger inwards, often blaming themself for not being able to cope. Most damaging when the person doesn't know that they are autistic, and they don't know or understand what is happening.
Further reading: https://reframingautism.org.au/all-about-autistic-shutdown-guide-for-allies/

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often intense, fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of their competence. It's characterised by self-doubt, attributing success to external factors, and a fear of not living up to expectations. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and even burnout.
further reading: https://embrace-autism.com/introducing-autistic-impostor-syndrome/

Interoception Interoception is an internal sensory system in which the physical and emotional states of the person are consciously or unconsciously noticed, recognised and responded to. For example:

• a person notices their stomach is rumbling and they have a pulling sensation in their abdomen

• they recognise this as signalling hunger

• they respond by eating something.

Further reading: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/interoception-wellbeing

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is more common in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than in the general population. The reasons for this increased prevalence are not fully understood, but factors like shared genetic predispositions, altered gut microbiome, and potential links to central sensitivity syndromes are being investigated.

IQ People on the spectrum are as varied as neuro-typicals, with low IQ (with high focusing, a low IQ can look like high IQ), average IQ and high IQ. We tend to lean more to the higher end, but because of our overall difficulties and especially social problems, this can look low to some people. Take it with a grain of salt, it's only a number and not an indication of one's abilities.

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