unmask

en-verb

unmask (third-person singular simple present unmasks, present participle unmasking, simple past and past participle unmasked)

unmasks (present singular third-person)
unmasking (participle present)
unmasked (participle past)
unmasked (past)

[…] to unmask and to assume her 'natural' role (rather than her 'fitting in' role).

2019, Sarah Cobbe, Simple Autism Strategies for Home and School: Practical Tips, Resources and Poetry, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 49:

Autistic females are trying to adhere to social expectations placed upon them, and masking and blending to fit those expectations, […] How do you unmask when you have spent a [long time masking].

2019, Barry Carpenter, Francesca Happé, Jo Egerton, Girls and Autism: Educational, Family and Personal Perspectives, Routledge, →ISBN, page 172:

(intransitive) To cease engaging in masking, to cease disguising one's autism.


spin

berdly if your friends were homestuck characters who would they be. //sorry autism wants me dead, berdlys my fav character and hs is my spin. you will never heard the end of it from me

2024 April 15, @XxKilla_KrisxX, Twitter:

special interest
special interest#English:_spin

(autism, slang) A special interest of an autistic person.


mask

mask (third-person singular simple present masks, present participle masking, simple past and past participle masked)

masks (present singular third-person)
masking (participle present)
masked (participle past)
masked (past)

Borrowed from Middle French masque (“a covering to hide or protect the face”), from Italian maschera (“mask, disguise”), from (a byform of, see it for more) Medieval Latin masca, mascha, a borrowing of Proto-West Germanic *maskā from which English mesh is regularly inherited.
Replaced Old English grīma (“mask”), whence grime, and displaced non-native Middle English viser (“visor, mask”) borrowed from Old French viser, visier.
Compare also Hebrew מַסֵּכָה (masseiḥa).

bor

Masking is exhausting and some autistics require copious amounts of time afterwards to recover from hiding who they are and pretending to be someone they aren't. Even when autistics mask they don't always pass fully as an NT person.

2018, Sally Cat, PDA by PDAers: From Anxiety to Avoidance and Masking to Meltdowns, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 86:

So, masking seems to be a very poor explanation for the difference in gender diagnosis of autism. In particular, masking requires theory of mind. How can autistic people successfully mask if they struggle with this ability?

2021, Yenn Purkis, Wenn B. Lawson, The Autistic Trans Guide to Life, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 132:

(intransitive) To conceal or disguise one's autism.


meltdown

en-noun

meltdown (countable and uncountable, plural meltdowns)

→ Japanese: メルトダウン (merutodaun)

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Now if I am really anxious, I can take a moment to think about what is making me anxious and what to do about it; before I would just spiral into a meltdown really quickly, with no understanding of why.

2016, Laura, quoted in Wenn Lawson & Kirsty Dempster-Rivett, The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum, page 26

However, if the accumulation of stress chemicals, stimulation and/or demands are occurring too fast or are too intense to block out, then a meltdown is probable.

2019, Bill Nason, The Autism Discussion Page on Stress, Anxiety, Shutdowns and Meltdowns: Proactive Strategies for Minimizing Sensory, Social and Emotional Overload, page 171:

If you're experiencing challenges that are extremely stressful and may lead you to being overwhelmed, or set off a meltdown in the workplace, this may be very concerning to your work colleagues.

2022, Barb Cook, Yenn Purkiss, The Autism and Neurodiversity Self Advocacy Handbook: Developing the Skills to Determine Your Own Future, page 33:

(psychology) An autistic response to stress or sensory overload, in which the person is overwhelmed by intense, seemingly disproportionate emotions, behaving erratically and becoming unable to mask.


echolalia

echolalia (countable and uncountable, plural echolalias)

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/ˌɛkə(ʊ)ˈleɪlɪə/

From echo + -lalia; Latin ēchō from Ancient Greek ἠχώ (ēkhṓ, “reflected sound, echo”), and -lalia from Ancient Greek λαλιά (laliá, “talk, chat”).

der

Their echolalic responses may be much more extensive than the single words or short phrases that are characteristic of normal echolalia. Thus, a pseudoverbal autistic child may respond to "Do you want a cookie, Jimmy?" with a replication of the very same words.

1984, Jon Eisenson, Aphasia and related disorders in children, page 30:

(clinical psychology, autism) The involuntary repetitive echoing of words or phrases spoken by another person; either immediate or delayed.


aspie

Occasionally, my Aspie traits are recognised by people who don't know that I have the condition.

2005, Chris Mitchell, Glass Half-Empty, Glass Half-Full, SAGE, →ISBN, page 89:

For example, I'm a 33 year-old Aspie and Aspergers wasn't even known about when I was at school. They're getting better at spotting Aspie kids now, but adults who are doing really well and achieving lots aren't anywhere in the statistics because no-one has spotted them.

2012, Sophie Walker, Grace Under Pressure, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

(informal, endearing, autism, somewhat dated) An Aspergerian: a person with Asperger’s syndrome.


autism

en-noun

autism (usually uncountable, plural autisms)

From German Autismus, coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, first usage dated to 1907 attributed by Carl Jung as an alternative of his for "auto-erotism", although Bleuler himself differentiates the terms in his book Dementia Praecox, first published 1911. From Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós, “self”) + -ισμός (-ismós, “-ism”).

coinage

Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism.

2013 June 29, “A punch in the gut”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, London: The Economist Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-07-27, pages 72–3:

sensory processing sensitivities
sensory processing sensitivity

(clinical psychology) A pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication patterns (e.g., differences in body language or eye contact), delayed language development, and sensory processing sensitivities.

(loosely) Synonym of autism spectrum; a range of disorders.

(clinical psychology, obsolete) A diagnosis involving a pathological tendency to engage in self-centered fantasy thinking, historically considered a symptom of insanity and/or schizophrenia.

weaponized autism

(Internet slang, offensive, derogatory or self-deprecatory) Abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, stereotypically coupled with low self-awareness and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism.


Asperger's syndrome

/ˈæspɜːɡəz ˈsɪndɹəʊm/

/ˈæspɜːdʒəz ˈsɪndɹəʊm/

Named after Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger (1906–1980).

named-after

Coordinate term: Kanner's syndrome

developmental disorder
developmental disorder

(dated, uncountable, neurology) An autism-related developmental disorder characterised by sustained impairment in social interaction and nonverbal communication and by repetitive behaviour as well as restricted interests and routines.


autistic

From autism + -istic or -tic. First attested in 1913. The modern clinical sense is first used in 1943 by Leo Kanner.

If our definition of empathy were to require we take the human cognitive norm (overwhelmingly influenced by neurotypical cognition) as the absolute standard by which to measure empathy, then indeed we would have to conclude autistics do not instinctively possess a good sense of empathy.

After reading this book, medical professionals should be able to develop an understanding of some of the challenges that autistics are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022, Matthew Bennett, Emma Goodall, Autism and COVID-19:


rain man

From the 1988 film Rain Man, about an autistic man with the name Raymond, misinterpreted as “Rain man” by his brother in childhood.

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(derogatory) An autistic, or mentally and/or socially impaired person.


ASD

en-noun

ASD (countable and uncountable, plural ASDs)

2008, "Scientists Pinpoint Pathway That Impacts Features of Autism", 8 October 2018, R&D Magazine.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications that improve the core symptoms of ASD.

In the non-ASD population, the incidence of savants is about 1 percent. Why people in the spectrum are more likely to be savants is still a mystery.

2008, Ana Maria Rodriguez, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Twenty-First Century Books, →ISBN, page 38:

autism spectrum disorder
autism spectrum disorder#English


autistic spectrum disorder

autistic spectrum disorder (plural autistic spectrum disorders)

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(medicine) Any disorder characterised by symptoms associated with autism.

autism

the specific form, not the generic synonym for ASD


shutdown

shutdown (countable and uncountable, plural shutdowns)

→ Japanese: シャットダウン (shattodaun)

→ Russian: шатда́ун (šatdáun)

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I retreated into myself and allowed myself to be swallowed into a typically autistic shutdown.

2018, Laura James, Odd Girl Out: My Extraordinary Autistic Life, unnumbered page:

I may even reach the point where I have an autistic shutdown, which means I'll be unable to communicate, interact or socialize.

2020, Siena Castellon, The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic, page 34:

Their [autistic girls'] distress could come out in all sorts of ways and result in meltdown or shutdown.

2021, Carly Jones, Safeguarding Autistic Girls: Strategies for Professionals, pages 61–62:

(psychology, autism) An autistic response to stress or sensory overload, in which the individual freezes up and becomes silent, motionless, and unresponsive.

mutismo

reciprocation that renders the other person wordless


neurodiversity

neurodiversity (usually uncountable, plural neurodiversities)

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From neuro- (prefix denoting the nervous system) + diversity, coined by the Australian sociologist Judy Singer (born 1951) in her 1998 Bachelor of Arts dissertation, and popularized by Harvey Blume in a September 1998 article in The Atlantic: see the quotations.

coinage

For me, the significance of the "Autistic Spectrum" lies in its call for and anticipation of a "Politics of Neurodiversity". […] The rise of Neurodiversity takes postmodern fragmentation one step further.

1998, Judy Singer, “What is the Autistic Spectrum?”, in Odd People In: The Birth of a Community amongst People on the ‘Autistic Spectrum’: A Personal Exploration Based on Neurological Diversity (unpublished B.A. (Social Science) dissertation), Sydney, N.S.W.: Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, University of Technology Sydney, archived from the original on 2023-03-25, pages 13–14:

Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general. Who can say what form of wiring will prove best at any given moment? Cybernetics and computer culture, for example, may favor a somewhat autistic cast of mind.

1998 September, Harvey Blume, “Neurodiversity: On the Neurological Underpinnings of Geekdom”, in William Whitworth, editor, The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-02-05:

The Neurodiversity movement is progressing towards an acceptance in mainstream business. Neurodiversity inclusion is increasingly likely to be present in EDI [equality, diversity, and inclusion] policies alongside gender, race and LGBTQIA+ in many leading industries (though I note that disability more broadly is lagging behind).

2021 October 14, Nancy Doyle, “Neurodiversity is Not a Pollyanna Concept: Judy Singer Says Get Realistic”, in Forbes, New York, N.Y.: Forbes, Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2021-11-22:

The variety of configurations of the brain, especially with regard to autism.


stim

Autistic people often stim with the help of technologies such as music and stim toys or tools to mediate between inner worlds and outer environments that may over/underwhelm us.

2021, Erin Felepchuk, Disability Studies Quarterly:

(psychology, autism) Any repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (e.g. hand flapping, head banging, repeating noises or words), frequent in autistic people.


sensory overload

en-noun

sensory overload (countable and uncountable, plural sensory overloads)

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(psychology, autism, mental health) Receipt of too much information or stimulation at once, leading to an inability to process it.

autism; mental health; autism; mental health

aistiylikuormitus

state of being overwhelmed by sensory stimulation


neurotypical

Well, let's face it, neurotypicals don't have the same focus you or I have. They always get distracted, by marriage, kids, competitive cooking shows.

2013 February 21, “Conventions of Space and Time”, in Community, season 4, episode 3 (Television), spoken by Toby (Matt Lucas):


HFA

HFA (countable and uncountable, plural HFAs)

high-functioning autism
high-functioning autism#English

(autism, uncountable) Abbreviation of high-functioning autism.


LFA

low-functioning autism
low-functioning autism#English

(autism, psychology) Initialism of low-functioning autism.


autie

Clipping of autistic + -ie (diminutive suffix).

We must enable nonverbal auties to communicate by independent typing on devices that talk for them.

2001, Jerry Newport, Your Life is Not a Label:

For auties whose meltdowns take a more physical form, even if all the frustration is directed against property rather than people...

2005, Dinah Murray, Coming Out Asperger:

(informal, nonstandard, autism, endearing) An autistic person.


pervasive developmental disorder

pervasive developmental disorder (plural pervasive developmental disorders)

pervasive developmental disorders (plural)

Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome#English

(psychiatry) Any of a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. They were five in the DSM-IV: Asperger syndrome, autism, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome, and PDD-NOS.

óbščeje rasstrójstvo psixíčeskovo razvítija

о́бщее расстро́йство психи́ческого разви́тия

pervazívnoje rasstrójstvo psixíčeskovo razvítija

первази́вное расстро́йство психи́ческого разви́тия


autism spectrum disorder

autism spectrum disorder (plural autism spectrum disorders)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-autism spectrum disorder.wav

Asperger's is an autism spectrum disorder.

2008, "Scientists Pinpoint Pathway That Impacts Features of Autism", 8 October 2018, R&D Magazine.
Moreover, effects were seen in adult mice, suggesting a possible route to medication development for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

(psychology, pathology) A disorder involving any of a range of psychological conditions, all characterized by abnormal social interaction and communication, restricted interests, highly repetitive behaviour, and eccentricity.

自閉症スペクトラム障害

じへいしょうすぺくとらむしょうがい


autist

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Most autists are not artists, as most artists are not autists; but in the chance of their coming together […] there must, I think, be an interaction between the two, so that the art takes on some of the strengths and weaknesses of autism […]

1995, Oliver Sacks, An Anthropologist on Mars:

Like children and animals, autists have relatively rudimentary conceptual lives.

2011, W M Bernstein, A Basic Theory of Neuropsychoanalysis:

An autistic person, a person with autism.


autistically

en-adv

autistically (comparative more autistically, superlative most autistically)

more autistically (comparative)
most autistically (superlative)

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on the spectrum

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I spent some time walking around the exhibitor area before my turn to speak. […] The first exhibitor was a mom with a kid on the spectrum. […] The next person is an artist on the spectrum.

2009 April 7, John Elder Robison, “Autism and Art as a window into the mind” (blog post)

2009, Lynn Kern Koegel, Claire LaZebnik, Growing Up on the Spectrum: A Guide to Life, Love, and Learning for Teens and Young Adults with Autism and Asperger's, Penguin Group, →ISBN:

2010, Julie Brown, Writers on the Spectrum: How Autism and Asperger Syndrome Have Influenced Literary Writing, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN:

2010, Zosia Zaks, Parenting on the Spectrum, Jessica Kingsley Limited, →ISBN:

2011, Valerie L. Gaus, Living Well on the Spectrum: How to Use Your Strengths to Meet the Challenges of Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Guilford Publications, →ISBN:

2014 Kumail Nanjiani as Dinesh Chugtai, "Minimum Viable Product", Silicon Valley season 1 episode 1, 6 minutes 10 seconds
There is a personal ad section on this Asperger site. Holy shit this one is looking for "a relationship that has a potential to become sexual in nature". Boy, is she on the spectrum. She can't even make eye contact with the camera.

might slag the project as monotonous or, more callously, "on the spectrum"

2023 March 21, Virginia Heffernan, “I Saw the Face of God in a Semiconductor Factory”, in WIRED:

autism spectrum disorder
autism spectrum disorder

(autism, informal) Having autism spectrum disorder or exhibiting traits pertaining to or within the autism spectrum.


nonautistic

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savantish

en-adj

savantish (comparative more savantish, superlative most savantish)

more savantish (comparative)
most savantish (superlative)

2004 March 26, Monica Kendrick, “Spot Check”, in Chicago Reader:

The savantish 11-year-old interjects naïve, untested idealism; the landlord provides the rapacious entrepreneurial spirit that vacuums capitalism clean of conscience.

2007 March 18, Bob Shacochis, “Headline News”, in New York Times:


neurodiverse

neurodiverse (comparative more neurodiverse, superlative most neurodiverse)

more neurodiverse (comparative)
most neurodiverse (superlative)

/ˌnjʊəɹə(ʊ)daɪˈvɜːs/

BBC Online
The Atlantic
University of Technology Sydney

From neuro- (prefix denoting the nervous system) + diverse, probably modelled on neurodiversity which was coined by the Australian sociologist Judy Singer (born 1951) in her 1998 Bachelor of Arts dissertation. The latter word was popularized by Harvey Blume in a September 1998 article in The Atlantic.

prefix

But while programmes at companies including Microsoft and accounting firm EY are small and focused around supporting neurodiverse workers in the office, Ultranauts has redesigned its entire business around neurodiverse employees, changing hiring efforts to actively recruit and accommodate individuals on the autism spectrum.

2019 October 21, Robbie Wojciechowski, “Worklife 101: Where 75% of Workers are on the Autistic Spectrum”, in BBC Online, archived from the original on 2022-12-06:

"Out of the trauma of COVID came the recognition that working from home does benefit some people who are neurodiverse," says Foster.

2024 February 21, Nick Brodrick, “Inclusion and development for all”, in RAIL, number 1003, page 62:

Of a person: exhibiting neurodiversity; varying in mental configuration from others, especially being on the autism spectrum; of a group: made up of neurodivergent people.

ei-neurotyypillinen

of a person: exhibiting neurodiversity; of a group: made up of neurodivergent people


refrigerator mother

en-noun

refrigerator mother (plural refrigerator mothers)

It was not until 1943 that Dr. Leo Kanner, an American pschiatrist, first diagnosed the syndrome in 11 children. . . . Kanner and others once postulated that these children were the products of "refrigerator mothers," women who are overly cold and intellectual.

1979 April 7, Helen Kohl, “The Strange Ones" Autism can be brought into our world”, in Montreal Gazette, Canada, retrieved 2012-11-18:

No present-day researcher takes the idea of the refrigerator mother as the cause of autism seriously.

2010, John W. Oller Jr, Stephen D. Oller, Autism: The Diagnosis, Treatment, & Etiology of the Undeniable Epidemic, →ISBN, page 49:

(psychology, dated, idiomatic, derogatory) An emotionally frigid mother, who does not exhibit normal care or love for her child or children.


spectrumy

en-adj

spectrumy (comparative more spectrumy, superlative most spectrumy)

more spectrumy (comparative)
most spectrumy (superlative)

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I even e-mailed Hopkins to try to get her to back me up, but she wrote back, If Mom decides she wants to kick him out at any point, she will and he’ll be fine. He’s a little spectrumy, but perfectly competent. But so long as she’s happy having him at home, let them have each other. Without any support from the actual neurologist in the family, I gave up.

2011, Claire LaZebnik, Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts, 5 Spot (2011), unnumbered page

His quiz was designed to detect autism and my score probably suggests I am “spectrumy” – to use a non-technical term – rather than a psycho.

2011 April 25, Nicholas Blincoe, “Zero Degrees of Empathy by Simon Baron-Cohen: review”, in The Telegraph:

Before the school year began, Francine met with the principal and the kindergarten teacher at the school. From the first moment, the meeting was rancorous. "The principal started telling me that Adam sounded spectrumy and needed occupational therapy and speech therapy, and she had never even met him yet. […]

2012, Carrie Goldman, Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear, HarperOne, →ISBN:

(informal) Having some characteristics of the autism spectrum.


autism spectrum

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pervasive developmental disorder
pervasive developmental disorder

childhood disintegrative disorder
childhood disintegrative disorder

(psychology) The range of conditions classified as pervasive developmental disorders, generally held to include autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Also includes childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett syndrome.

自閉症スペクトラム障害

じへいしょうすぺくとらむしょうがい

自閉スペクトラム症

じへいすぺくとらむしょう


curebie

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She begins by explaining why the event is called Autism Pride Day, so that the curebies and other nay-sayers who don't feel autism is something to celebrate might achieve a glimmer of understanding.

2008, James C. Wilson, Weather Reports from the Autism Front, McFarland & Co., →ISBN, page 198:

Of course I wish we could "cure" him of those debilitating problems. I want better drugs and therapies to ease Mickey's core challenges. But I'm no longer a "curebie." I don't want to change his very way of being. I love who he is.

2016, Liane Kupferberg Carter, Ketchup is My Favorite Vegetable, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 152:

(derogatory) One who wishes to cure a condition (such as autism) that may be regarded as an acceptable alternative state of being.


Aspergian

An Aspergian may be able to talk for hours on their favorite subject, but bring up a local sports team or the weather, and they're stumped (unless that is one of their obsessions).

2010, Rudy Simone, Asperger's on the Job: Must-Have Advice for People with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism, and Their Employers, Educators, and Advocates, Future Horizons, published 2010, →ISBN, page 12:

And so, the only thing I could do, being a passive Aspergian was to withdraw into a world of autistic hell.

2011, Cornish, "Getting the Right Diagnosis, and Its Impact on Mental Health: Is This The Best the NHS Can Do?", Aspies on Mental Health: Speaking for Ourselves (eds. Luke Beardon & Dean Worton), Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2011), page 77

But because Aspergians can express themselves in words, they have more ways to deal with their aversions or indulge their interests.

2011, Jael McHenry, The Kitchen Daughter, Gallery Books, published 2011, →ISBN, page 176:


Aspiedom

A useful practical definition - Although at the moment I have a very tentative sense that maybe Aspiedom could be "more than the sum of its'^([sic]) parts" - That the characteristics need to "work together" in some way, almost that you could have someone in whom the characteristics displayed rather mildly, yet who would still be recognisably Aspie, whereas someone who "presented" more strongly might come across as not "really" Aspie - Just speculation though - Thoughts anyone?

2001 May 13, Terry Jones, “Re: New abbreviations needed?”, in alt.support.autism (Usenet):

I am not sure that if the whole world were an Aspie^([sic]) the social concerns of Aspiedom would actually vansih.^([sic])

2003 October 1, Gareeth, “Re: Misconceptions of Asperger's”, in alt.support.autism (Usenet):

That and the tests on Alice's site that she posted recently, plus some quizzes by Simon Baron-Cohen and Tony Attwood all pretty much conformed^([sic]) my Aspiedom.

2010 April 14, earthpots [username], “Re: Neanderthal DNA lives on ... in some of us”, in alt.support.autism (Usenet):


Assburgers

From ass + burger, as a jocular play on Asperger.

We all know you don't really have Assburgers, you're just making excuses to justify your fucktardery on this newsgroup, stupid attention-whore.

2007 July 29, Industrial One, “Re: OT but might help: My Disability”, in comp.compression (Usenet):

Stop making fun of people with Assburgers. It's a serious health issue.

2012 June 7, owl, “Re: How many times can Snit say "herd" in one month?”, in comp.os.linux.advocacy (Usenet):

and does Assburgers run in the [redacted] family?

2013 February 16, sweetbac, “Re: Now....let's see that CasKe'T”, in rec.martial-arts (Usenet):

(vulgar, derogatory, offensive) Asperger's syndrome.


preautistic

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Bettelheim's (1967) theory of autism proposes that for several possible reasons (e.g., pain or discomfort, misperception) the preautistic child perceives that his mother has rejected him/her and begins to withdraw from him/her […]

1989, Johnny L. Matson, Chronic schizophrenia and adult autism:

(psychology, autism) Before the readily apparent onset of autism.


Aspieish

Aspieish (comparative more Aspieish, superlative most Aspieish)

more Aspieish (comparative)
most Aspieish (superlative)

We're still getting a handle on the CD but he has resource room support--I've found that the CD affects his AS because he gets more Aspieish when the CD is flaring.

2004 January 5, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, “Re: [OT] Child Development - was: Re: DIET AND DISEASE”, in alt.support.crohns-colitis (Usenet):

Too, it is Aspieish to have noticed the absence of accurate physics in the painted rendition (an image on the outside of a window should show through to the inside).

2010, Martha Schmidtmann Dunne, "Wait, What Do You Mean?:" Asperger's Tell and Show, Xlibris, →ISBN, page 28:

I liked my very tall Aspieish doctor, loved his deep monotone and astute attention to detail and naturally, his pragmatic advice.

2012, Liane Holliday Willey, Safety Skills for Asperger Women: How to Save a Perfectly Good Female Life, Jessica Kingsley, →ISBN, page 105:

(informal) Characteristic of an Aspie or Asperger's syndrome.


allistic

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-allistic.wav

From allo- + -istic, by analogy with autistic; compare allism.

Coordinate term: neuroatypical (nearly antonymous)

Near-synonym: neurotypical

As with the rest of the article, I am following the conventions of the disabled people I am discussing. Autistics prefer to be called "autistic" and perceive the term "people with autism" as an allistic (non-autistic) phrase.

2013, Corbett Joan O'Toole, "Disclosing Our Relationships to Disabilities: An Invitation for Disability Studies", Disability Studies Quarterly, Volume 33, Number 2 (endnote)

The ASMC, like A$, aims mostly at helping to ease the “burden” autistic children and family members place on their allistic relatives and caretakers.

2013, Ianthe M. Belisle Dempsey, "Autism Acceptance Month (And Why Autism $peaks Should Stop Talking)", Indy (Bloomington–Normal, Illinois), Volume 12, Number 10, April 2013, page 1

For those who don’t know, Autism Speaks has an executive board and leadership made entirely of allistic people, or people who are not autistic.

2014 April 28, Stormy O'Brink, “People with disabilities are not broken”, in The Northern Iowan, University of Northern Iowa:


sperg

No, spergs are compulsively self-absorbed and narcissistic. Any naysayers, if acknowledged at all, would simply be labelled "wrong". You see, lesser mammals are not worthy of debate, and we're ALL "lesser".

2009, Playa, “re: games workshop staff”, in rec.games.miniatures.warhammer (Usenet):

(slang, derogatory, offensive, sometimes reclaimed) A person with Asperger's syndrome; an Aspergerian.


hyperempathetic

hyperempathetic (comparative more hyperempathetic, superlative most hyperempathetic)

more hyperempathetic (comparative)
most hyperempathetic (superlative)

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Perhaps in reaction to Lola's lack of sensitivity, Wendy became hyper-empathetic, even to inanimate objects.

2011, Julie Salamon, Wendy and the Lost Boys: The Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein, unnumbered page:

It was upon the basis of these ideas that our species – hyperempathetic, hyper-cooperative, homo sapiens – was founded and upon which we have found vast success.

2024, Nathan J. Murphy, The Ideas That Rule Us: How Other People's Ideas Rule Our Lives and How to Change It, unnumbered page:

Hyper-empathetic people are deeply impacted by the energy and emotions of those around them.

2024, Megan Anna Neff, Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!, page 68:

(psychology) Experiencing heightened or intense empathy.


neurodivergent

neurodivergent (comparative more neurodivergent, superlative most neurodivergent)

more neurodivergent (comparative)
most neurodivergent (superlative)

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From neuro- + divergent. Coined by neurodiversity activist Kassiane Asasumasu in 2000.

coinage

Neurodivergent people exist all over the world and in every class, gender, race and sexuality. On other planets there are probably neurodivergent aliens too […]

2022, Joe Wells, Wired Differently, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 169:

Having an atypical neurological configuration.

neuroepätyypillinen

having an atypical neurological configuration


sperglord

This would be amusing were it not for the fact that, y'know, she was with me yesterday, so your attempt at humor fails on all levels. Like most sperglord humor does save to other sperglords.

2010 March 3, smr [username], “Re: new networking business”, in chi.general (Usenet):

Ime, these specimens are the sort broad-spectrum autists one avoids.The sperglords (sorry, Phil) that you didn't want to play before TCS.

2013 August 19, Playa [username], “Re: [40k] A Codex CSM Supplement”, in rec.games.miniatures.warhammer (Usenet):

Are you implying that ALL grammar correcting sperglords are passive aggressive douchebags?

2014, anonymous internet poster, quoted in Sophia Bayer, "#GrammaNazi: The Interplay of Politeness and Language Ideologies in Internet Forums", thesis submitted to the University of Vienna, page 61

(slang, derogatory, offensive) A person who displays awkward, pedantic, or obsessive behavior stereotypically associated with Asperger's syndrome.


atypical autism

An autism spectrum disorder that does not meet the diagnostic criteria for either autism proper or Asperger's syndrome.


allism

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From allo- + -ism, coined by Andrew Main (Zefram) in 2003, in contradistinction to autism, where 'auto-' refers to a self-integrated neurology and 'allo-' refers to an other-integrated neurology.

(usually humorous) A neurological condition characterised by the lack of autistic symptoms.


stimmy

en-adj

stimmy (comparative more stimmy, superlative most stimmy)

more stimmy (comparative)
most stimmy (superlative)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-stimmy.wav

She was a lot less "stimmy" and spaced out.

2000, Karyn Seroussi, Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother's Story of Research and Recovery, Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, page 130:

Then I notice that there is much discussion on the video about not letting the child "stim," have his "stimmy" toy, or have a certain item because he "stims" too much.

2003, Bryna Siegel, Helping Children with Autism Learn: Treatment Approaches for Parents and Professionals: Treatment Approaches for Parents and Professionals, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 59:

If your child enjoys spinning blocks, opening and closing doors, wandering in circles, or other activities that are seen as "autistic" or "stimmy," remember that these activities can be turned into effective interactions!!!

2007, Teresa A. Cardon, Initiations and Interactions: Early Intervention Techniques for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Autism Asperger Publishing Co., →ISBN, page 29:

(autism, informal) Engaging in, characteristic of, or related to stimming.


Aspieness

Stimming is another component of my Aspieness.

2006, Jeff, "The Salesman", in Employment for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome or Non-verbal Learning Disability: Stories and Strategies, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2004), page 120

However, if you can fully accept your “Aspieness” and embrace both your gifts as well as your social limitations, you can then strive for excellence using your strengths rather than covering up your weaknesses.

2009, Nick Dubin, Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress Management, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 25:

While I never shunned my Aspieness, I tried to be clever about how and when to let my AS out and about.

2014, Lianne Holliday Willey, Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): Expanded Edition, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 135:

The condition or quality of being an Aspie.


unautistic

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hug machine

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Synonym of hugbox (“therapeutic device applying pressure”)


hugbox

She [Temple Grandin] couldn't stand to be touched but was starved for affection and the safety of being contained. This need led to her clever device, the “hug box” which compressed her sides like the cattle chute it was modeled after.

2011, Recovering the Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing, Volume 3, Number 4, October 2011, unnumbered page

A short 10-15 minute time to yourself to think, meditate, or, as Temple Grandin did with the “hug box,” find a type of sensory feedback that calms your body and mind.

2013, Ashley Stanford, Troubleshooting Relationships on the Autism Spectrum: A User's Guide to Resolving Relationship Problems, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 233:

Furthermore, as an autistic individual she [Temple Grandin] was better able to understand the struggles and created the “hug box” which calms autistic children.

2015, Cynthia M. Joseph, “Autism”, in Jennifer Hellier, editor, The Brain, the Nervous System, and Their Diseases, Greenwood, →ISBN, page 118:

A therapeutic device designed to apply pressure to the body of a hypersensitive person (usually someone on the autism spectrum) in order to calm them by providing grounding sensory stimulation.


autismland

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2012, Ido Kedar, Ido in Autismland: Climbing Out of Autism's Silent Prison, Sharon Kedar, →ISBN:

Motivational Interviewing that addresses this kind of issue, though from a perspective very different from the ones that we might be familiar with in autismland.

2013, John Clements, Letters to the Home Front: Positive Thoughts and Ideas for Parents Bringing Up Children with Developmental Disabilities, Particularly those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 95:

After just four days in autismland, the mainstream world seemed like a constant sensory assault.

2015, Steve Silberman, NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, Avery, →ISBN:

The domain or sphere of autistic people; a notional place representing autism.


spergy

spergy (comparative more spergy, superlative most spergy)

more spergy (comparative)
most spergy (superlative)

You'll only get gnashing of teeth from the spergy nerds who can't let go of their ancient UNIX clone.

2010 October 26, df [username], “Re: Why is Linux desktop share dropping?”, in comp.os.linux.advocacy (Usenet):

Nope, not following you down into your typical spergy postmodernist word salad sophistry regarding the meaning of the word "related."

2012 May 9, prawnster [username], “Re: Evolution: assumes facts not in evidence”, in talk.origins (Usenet):

The obliviousness of your reply is staggering, or would be, if you weren't such an obvious spergy sociopath to begin with.

2015 March 18, smr [username], “Re: Lucky Seven: Command v1.07 has been released!”, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.war-historical (Usenet):

(slang, derogatory, offensive, sometimes reclaimed) Showing an awkward, pedantic, or obsessive nature stereotypically associated with Asperger's syndrome.


high-functioning

high-functioning (comparative more high-functioning or higher functioning or higher-functioning, superlative most high-functioning or highest functioning or highest-functioning)

more high-functioning (comparative)
higher functioning (comparative)
higher-functioning (comparative)
most high-functioning (superlative)
highest functioning (superlative)
highest-functioning (superlative)

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A unit wide behavioral programming system for high functioning mentally retarded clients who displayed maladaptive behavioral excesses...

1986 January 12, R.M. Fox, D.R. Bechtel, C. Bird, J. Livesay, R. Bittle, “A comprehensive institutional treatment program for aggressive-disruptive high functioning mentally retarded persons”, in Behavioral Residential Treatment, volume 1, number 1, →ISSN, pages 39–56:

(psychology, of persons with developmental or intellectual disability or mental illness) Able to function in society; not greatly affected by a disability or illness.


autistiform

autistiform behaviour

autistiform conditions


autard

I love Autards. There was this one at an ultrasound manufacture who was one of their engineers--obviously brilliant. I watched him at the coffee station:
"Get some coffee...get some coffee...need a cup a cup a cup. Get a cup for coffee cup for coffee. Rinse with water rinse with water. Pulling the valve pulling the valve. Sugar sugar sugar pack of sugar pack of sugar..."

2000, Flatus M, “Autism and genius (was Re: Proposal: Y2K Apeshit Pool)”, in alt.tasteless (Usenet):

Thunderbird is one of the small mercies of the internet: it reserves functionality for only the people that actually deserve to be on the internet in the first place. (That basically rules out all autards, motards, gloids, retards, leftwing whining idiots, and all the other assorted Windows users - like Tarla - that own the 'internet' for no more reason than they do a toaster or clockradio.)

2005, Graham, “Re: Thunderbird killfile help”, in nz.general (Usenet):


antiautistic

antiautistic (comparative more antiautistic, superlative most antiautistic)

more antiautistic (comparative)
most antiautistic (superlative)

In one case, for instance, we felt that we could detect three antiautistic features in the mother.

1961 November, Mary A. Sarvis, Blanche Garcia, “Etiological Variables in Autism”, in Psychiatry, volume 24, number 4, page 309:

(dated, psychiatry) Countering autism or autistic behaviour.


high-functioning autism

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(psychiatry) Any form of autism associated with greater communication skills and an IQ at or above 70.


neurogender

neurogender (comparative more neurogender, superlative most neurogender)

more neurogender (comparative)
most neurogender (superlative)

If you know someone else who is neurogender, or another gender you've never heard of, or simply autistic plus trans of any kind, believe them when they tell you who they are.

2020, endever corbin, “I'm trans and autistic, and yes (for me), they're related”, in Maxfield Sparrow, editor, Spectrums: Autistic Transgender People in Their Own Words, page 86:

Neurogender and autigender people are often met with anger and prejudice, even by some T/GE people who view such new forms of gender identification as threatening to trans respectability.

2022, Sarah Cavar, Alexandre Baril, “Disability”, in Laura Erickson-Schroth, editor, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource by and for Transgender Communities, page 85:

(neologism) Having a gender identity linked to one's neurodivergence (particularly autism).


low-functioning autism

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-low-functioning autism.wav

(psychiatry) A form of autism associated with significant communication deficits and low cognitive ability (an IQ below 70).


gendervague

Someone who is gendervague cannot separate their gender identity from their neurodivergence—being autistic doesn't cause my gender identity, but it is inextricably related to how I understand and experience gender.

2016, Lydia X. Z. Brown, quoted in Finn V. Gratton, Supporting Transgender Autistic Youth and Adults: A Guide for Professionals and Families (2019), page 15

[…] Julia Feliz—a gendervague, pansexual, Afro-Boricua (Puerto Rican)—created the flag design used in this image.

2019, "Acknowledgements", in Katie Steele & Julie Nicholson, Radically Listening to Transgender Children: Creating Epistemic Justice Through Critical Reflection and Resistant Imaginations, unnumbered page

Lei Wiley-Mydske is an autistic and otherwise disabled mom, […] activist, artist, and gendervague writer from the Pacific Northwest.

2021, “Contributors”, in Emily Paige Ballou, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, Sharon daVanport, editors, Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity, page 204:


squeeze machine

en-noun

squeeze machine (plural squeeze machines)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-squeeze machine.wav


little professor

little professor (plural little professors)

Coined by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger year to refer to his Aspergic child patients. He likened them to professors because of their extreme knowledgeability on restricted interests.

coinage

(slang) A child with Asperger's syndrome.


self-stimulation

From self- + stimulation. Autism-related sense common since around 1970, before which other terms were also used.

(psychology, autism) Repetitive behavior intended to stimulate one's senses.


stimmer

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-stimmer.wav

From stim (“any repetitive self-stimulating action”) + -er.

af

Most people probably wouldn't guess either of them had autism since they are both so high functioning; Dillon is a “stimmer” though—lots of hand flapping.

2006, Donna Satterlee Ross, Kelly Ann Jolly, editors, That's Life with Autism: Tales and Tips for Families with Autism, page 125:

Cam is a first-class stimmer. The stims have passed through stages, each more obsessive than the last.

2010, Mark Osteen, One of Us: A Family's Life with Autism, page 148:

We are also perpetual stimmers: displaying or masking our stims, engaging in self-injurious or artistic stims, creatively expressing ourselves, or responding to trauma or stim suppression.

2021, Erin Felepchuk, “Stimming, Improvisation, and COVID-19: (Re)negotiating Autistic Sensory Regulation During a Pandemic”, in Disability Studies Quarterly, volume 41, number 3:

(psychology, autism) One who engages in stimming behaviour.


double empathy problem

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Coined by autism researcher Damian E. M. Milton in 2012 in a journal article.

coinage

Autistic people's difficulties with communication combined with the 'double empathy problem' can lead to assumptions being made by staff about the people they are teaching or supporting.

2018, Michael James, Forest School and Autism: A Practical Guide, page 37:

Rather, such difficulties are reciprocal, so a 'double empathy' problem exists.

2020, Karen Guldberg, Developing Excellence in Autism Practice: Making a Difference in Education, unnumbered page:

In contrast to the old (and disproven) idea of autistic people lacking empathy, the double empathy problem suggests that non-autistic people often lack empathy towards autistic people, and this might be the cause of many difficulties experienced by autistic people.

2021, Felicity Sedgewick, Laura Hull, Helen Ellis, Autism and Masking: How and Why People Do It, and the Impact It Can Have, page 163:

(psychology) The phenomenon of autistic and nonautistic people mutually failing to understand each other due to cognitive differences in expressing and processing emotion.


fidget toy

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A toy or other object intended to be aimlessly manipulated with the hands, in order to provide a pleasant distraction or relief from anxiety, frustration, boredom, etc.


neuroqueerness

For Rekers and Lovaas, the etiologies of childhood gender variance or autism were insignificant, for they believed that modifying social conditions by means of behavioral control would mask any traces of neuroqueerness.

2018, M. Remi Yergeau, Authoring Autism: On Rhetoric and Neurological Queerness, unnumbered page:

Neuroqueer(ness) represents an array of relationships between neurology and queerness including being both neurodivergent and queer, actively choosing to embody one’s neurodivergence, or queering ones cognitive processes (Walker, 2015).

2019, Robin Roscigno, “Neuroqueerness as Fugitive Practice: Reading Against the Grain of Applied Behavioral Analysis Scholarship”, in Educational Studies: A Journal of the American Educational Studies Association, volume 55, number 4, page 406:

Neuroqueerness unsettles deficit discourses of autism and dis/ability, which reduce the storying of varied individual experiences into a single clinical narrative.

2020, Monica C. Kleekamp, “'No! Turn the Pages!': Repositioning Neuroqueer Literacies”, in Journal of Literary Research, volume 52, number 2, page 115:

(neologism) The state or quality of being neuroqueer.


neuroqueer

en-adj

neuroqueer (comparative more neuroqueer, superlative most neuroqueer)

more neuroqueer (comparative)
most neuroqueer (superlative)

Whether discussed in clinical journals or in media accounts, ABA purports to change neural pathways, rewire neuroqueer brains, and ford synapses.

2018, M. Remi Yergeau, Authoring Autism: On Rhetoric and Neurological Queerness, page 123:

Neuroqueer perspectives challenge typical understandings of identity categories through disidentification processes. A neuroqueer project not only questions typical conceptions of gender but also pivots away from normative gender categories altogether.

2019 February, Justine E. Enger, “'The Disability Rights Community Was Never Mine': Neuroqueer Disidentification”, in Gender & Society, volume 33, number 1, page 124:

My conceptualization of neuroqueer technoscience is also strongly influenced by 3 my own experiences as a multiply neurodivergent queer femme.

2022, Jessica Sage Rauchberg, “Imagining a Neuroqueer Technoscience”, in Studies in Social Justice, volume 16, number 2, page 372:

(neologism) Belonging to, characteristic of, or related to the intersection of neurodivergence and queerness, particularly autism and LGBT identities.


autigender

autigender (comparative more autigender, superlative most autigender)

more autigender (comparative)
most autigender (superlative)

Specifically, nonbinary and autigender people were more likely to use gender-neutral terms like “kid” or “person” instead of gendered terms like “boy” or “man.”

2021, Kelly L. Coburn, "Spoken Narratives by Autistic Adults of Under-Represented Genders", dissertation submitted to Pennsylvania State University, pages 123-124

Yeah...I'm autistic and my experience of my gender is linked to my experience of autism, and so I identify as autigender.

2021, Sabrina Symington, Coming Out, Again: Transition Stories, unnumbered page:

Neurogender and autigender people are often met with anger and prejudice, even by some T/GE people who view such new forms of gender identification as threatening to trans respectability.

2022, Sarah Cavar, Alexandre Baril, “Disability”, in Laura Erickson-Schroth, editor, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource by and for Transgender Communities, page 85:

(neologism) Having a gender identity linked to one's autism.


aneurotypical

aneurotypical (comparative more aneurotypical, superlative most aneurotypical)

more aneurotypical (comparative)
most aneurotypical (superlative)

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savant syndrome

The savant syndrome is a very rare condition. Savants have a developmental disability, including autistic disorders, combined with brilliant talents or abilities.

2008, Ana Maria Rodriguez, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Twenty-First Century Books, →ISBN, page 38:

A rare condition in which someone with significant mental disabilities demonstrates certain abilities far in excess of average.


neurospicy

neurospicy (comparative more neurospicy, superlative most neurospicy)

more neurospicy (comparative)
most neurospicy (superlative)

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Blend of neurodivergent + spicy. By surface analysis, neuro- + spicy.

(neologism, slang, endearing, humorous, sometimes derogatory) Neurodivergent.


AuDHD

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Toph has AuDHD, Autism and ADHD mashed together. Besides all of the self-explanatory things these two factors entail, folks with this diagnosis have a different way of thinking. In Toph's own words, her "autistic brain has to learn by observation" as she does not pick up on social cues the way folks outside the spectrum do. She learns them by observing patterns.

2022 July 6, Robertas Lisickis, Monika Pašukonytė, “"I've Been Asking My Male Friends To Do Something – Watch If The First Response To Everything A Woman Tells You Is To Refute, Say No, Or Something Negative"”, in Bored Panda, archived from the original on 2022-08-15:

Antekeier said that the ADHD medication that she takes has helped her immensely in school and with socializing, and accepts it now as a part of her autism. In her bio on TikTok, where she posts advocacy and information about her diagnosis, she self-describes as having "audhd."

2022 December 26, Jake Johnson, “A woman with autism was misdiagnosed for years — here are 3 subtle signs she now realizes went unnoticed”, in Insider, archived from the original on 2022-12-26:

In AuDHD, special interest may change more rapidly than for those who are only autistic, Neff said. "It may last only a couple of months, but the intensity of the special interest remains the same," she added.

2023 April 25, Laura Newberry, “Autism and ADHD often go hand-in-hand. What’s it like to have ’AuDHD’?”, in Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Calif.: Los Angeles Times Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-08-03:

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder#Noun

(informal) The combination of autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).


'tism

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Greta Thunberg […] has been declared Time Magazines Person of the Year. That's right, the winner of 2019's illustrious POTY award goes to the temperamental teenager with a touch of the 'tism'.

(humorous, colloquial, sometimes derogatory) Clipping of autism.


hyperempathy

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And hyper-empathy about others' suffering can get in the way of our ability to function.

2020, Sarah Jaquette Ray, A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet, page 107:

Despite this, research to date has largely ignored the Autistic experience of hyper-empathy.

2023, Davida Hartman, Tara O'Donnell-Killen, Jessica K. Doyle, Maeve Kavanagh, Anna Day, Juliana Azevedo, The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach, page 54:

Hyper-empathy not only motivates their [autistics'] involvement but also enhances their ability to make meaningful and significant contributions to these causes.

2024, Essy Knopf, Neurodivergent Game Plan: Cheat Codes for Empowered Living, unnumbered page:

(psychology) The state of having an above-average level of empathy, or of experiencing empathy more intensely than others.


destim

en-verb

destim (third-person singular simple present destims, present participle destimming, simple past and past participle destimmed)

destims (present singular third-person)
destimming (participle present)
destimmed (participle past)
destimmed (past)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-destim.wav

Clipping of destimulate. Equivalent to de- + stim.

I got overwhelmed by the loud music and had to go into another room to destim.

Of course once the window was shut and I spent a few moments destimming with headphones, I was able to move forward. But I think it's such a good example of what we mean by overstimulation and how it can be a cumulative unseen process as well as an instant one.

2020 July 16, @littlehux, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-02-03:

Actually, the lesson is to teach your child to recognize when they're overstimulated and teach them how to actively destim and regulate in the moment.

2022 December 19, u/Inevitable_Librarian, “Got a new fude nib today!”, in Reddit, r/fountainpens, archived from the original on 2024-02-03:

Okay, I am home, have ate,^([sic]) destimmed a bit, & cried a lot. It's been rough today and I truly haven't seen anything happening on the internet in the last 48 hours because I've been stuck in a revolving door of bad news.

2023 February 16, @ChaiCiLatte, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-02-03:

(autism, slang) To intentionally block out overwhelming stimuli in order to avoid sensory overload.


digital autism

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The authors have considered digital autism from the perspective of the most pressing problem of our time […]

2020, Svetlana Igorevna Ashmarina, Valentina Vyacheslavovna Mantulenko, Current Achievements, Challenges and Digital Chances of Knowledge Based Economy, page 642:

Freedom from reality and its objectivity can lead a human being not only to self-development and creativity but to the highest degree of loneliness and digital autism (Kuss, D.J., Griffiths, M.D., Karila, L., & Billieux, J., 2014). It can also amplify escapism and suicidal ideas typical of borderline cases and conditions.

2020, Mehdi Khosrowpour, editor, Encyclopedia of Criminal Activities and the Deep Web, page 665:

(psychology) Autism-like symptoms thought to result from excessive screen time.


virtual autism

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The difference between the classical and the virtual autism is that in the first case we are talking about the destruction and neurological underdevelopment, caused by biological factors.

2020, Svetlana Igorevna Ashmarina, Valentina Vyacheslavovna Mantulenko, Current Achievements, Challenges and Digital Chances of Knowledge Based Economy, page 643:

Virtual autism is a condition where a child of 0-3 years shows symptoms like classical autism, but the cause of such symptoms is excessive exposure to the virtual environment. It should not be confused with classical autism because virtual autism can be addressed with minimal intervention.

2024, Arvind Otta, Gopa Bhardwaj, Uday K. Sinha, Psychologs Magazine January 2024, page 22:


samefood

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While samefoods and eating according to a routine often bring us comfort, we might want to venture beyond our comfort zone and try new foods too.

2021, Haley Moss, The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook, page 74:

The rest of the day is a write-off and any dinner plans will have to be scrapped as I return to eating bland samefoods.

2023, Fern Brady, Strong Female Character, unnumbered page:

I've been asked questions by parents and partners of the food averse about getting their loved ones to eat more than just their favored samefoods.

2023, Matthew Broberg-Moffitt, Color Taste Texture: Recipes for Picky Eaters, Those with Food Aversion, and Anyone Who's Ever Cringed at Food, page 6:

(autism) A food that an autistic person eats frequently and sometimes exclusively, typically due to a need for routine or sensory issues related to taste, texture, etc.


touch of the 'tism

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See touch (“a little bit; a small amount”) and 'tism (“autism”). User-generated website Know Your Meme dates the first attested usage to 29 April 2007 on an online forum; popularised in 2022 on video-sharing social media service TikTok.

(Internet slang, euphemistic, sometimes humorous) A mild form or manifestation of autism.


quiet hands

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(autism, psychology) In applied behavioral analysis, the desired behavior of keeping one's hands still, as opposed to stimming.


neuroinclusion

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True neuroinclusion is about genuine commitment to making a difference and embracing people for what and who they are.

2023, Nancy Doyle, Almuth McDowall, Neurodiversity Coaching: A Psychological Approach to Supporting Neurodivergent Talent and Career Potential, unnumbered page:

An organizational decision to pursue the goal of greater neuroinclusion, like any business initiative, inevitably requires a business case.

2023, Ed Thompson, A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work, page

Connecting to the journeys of friends, family members, or colleagues or to our own story can be a powerful motivator to support neuroinclusion and create a caring workplace culture.

2024, Ludmila N. Praslova, The Canary Code A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work, page 188:

(neologism) The philosophy and/or practice of systemically accommodating neurodivergent people.


neuroinclusive

en-adj

neuroinclusive (comparative more neuroinclusive, superlative most neuroinclusive)

more neuroinclusive (comparative)
most neuroinclusive (superlative)

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We are in a position where the world is having to rapidly respond to this awareness and there is an imperative need for neuroinclusive societies and workplaces.

2023 January, Sai Aanchal, Lex Harvey-Bryn, “Neurodiversity in the Corporate Ecosystem”, in Psychologs Magazine, page 53:

Neuroinclusive environments are places where neurodiverse people are not only included, but work in an environment where they can truly thrive.

2022, Rosemary Richings, Stumbling through Space and Time: Living Life with Dyspraxia, page 69:

A key step in building neuroinclusive workplaces is creating, expanding, and nurturing our professional networks.

2024, John Marble, Khushboo Chabria, & Ranga Jayaraman, Neurodiversity For Dummies, page 328

(neologism) Related to, characteristic of, or supporting the inclusion of neurodivergent people.


stim toy

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Autistic people often stim with the help of technologies such as music and stim toys or tools to mediate between inner worlds and outer environments that may over/underwhelm us.

2021, Erin Felepchuk, Disability Studies Quarterly:

(psychology, autism) Any toy, usually handheld, used for sensory self-stimulation.


chewelry

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There are many tools to safely stim like chewelry, noise-canceling headphones, fidget spinners, putty, and gum.

2021, Erin Garcia, The Case of Sensational Stims, page 7:

(mental health, autism) Soft, chewable jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets, intended as an oral stim toy to calm and soothe the wearer.

mental health; autism; mental health; autism


Kanner's syndrome

Named after American psychiatrist Leo Kanner (1894–1981).

named-after

Meronyms: autism, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability

(dated, uncountable, neurology) A developmental disorder of the autism spectrum with relatively marked symptoms.


movie talk

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Coordinate term: TV talk

A form of autistic echolalia involving the repetition of words or phrases from films.


TV talk

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Coordinate term: movie talk

A form of autistic echolalia involving the repetition of words or phrases from television.


low-support

en-adj

low-support (comparative more low-support, superlative most low-support)

more low-support (comparative)
most low-support (superlative)

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My part was to help to organise and run the first workshop for low support autistic adults and their parents.

2018, Niina Laitila, "Awareness, Acceptance & Appreciation: A Road to Changing Views on Autism in South Africa", thesis submitted to Laurea University of Applied Sciences, page 29

While the diagnostic label of Asperger's Syndrome for low-support autistic people was removed from the DSM-5 and has mostly fallen out of favour on Tumblr, some still people still use and identify with that label […]

2019, Andrew Kirkconnel, "'Where Everyone Waddles Like Me': An Examination of the Autistic Community on Tumblr", thesis submitted to McMaster University, page 41

However, there is considerable potential for the evolution of these technologies, aiming to specifically address pragmatic deficits and social skills challenges present in low-support autistics at level 1.

2024, Keylla Ramos Saes, Anarosa Alves Franco Brandão, Elthon Manhas de Freitas, & Fraulein Vidigal de Paula, "Educational Content Personalization for Neurodiversity: A Survey of Technologies Supporting Linguistic Development in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)", Artificial Intelligence in Education

(psychiatry, of an autistic person) Requiring a low level of assistance to meet one's personal care needs.


high-support

high-support (comparative more high-support, superlative most high-support)

more high-support (comparative)
most high-support (superlative)

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"High support" autistic people meanwhile may be non-verbal and have more difficulties with fine motor skills, or any number of other difficulties that require a great deal of support to adapt to the neurotypical world.

2019, Andrew Kirkconnel, "'Where Everyone Waddles Like Me': An Examination of the Autistic Community on Tumblr", thesis submitted to McMaster University, page 13

In this regard, Participant 3 explained how the series initiated an interesting dialogue in episode 3 (Moon Ji-won & Yoo In-shik, 2022) by portraying how Attorney Young-woo’s autism was utilized by the prosecution in court as evidence to argue the reduced capacity of a high-support autistic defendant.

2022, Allegra Guizzon, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo: A Study into Perceived Representation of Autism by Autistic Women", thesis submitted to Erasmus University, page 34

In 2020, Eric Parsa, a high-support autistic young man, died after being restrained and sat on for 9 minutes by Jefferson Parish police in Louisiana.

2023, Alisha Salerno-Ferraro, "Improving Police Response to Autistic Persons: A Community-Informed, Attributional Approach", dissertaiton submitted to York University, page 2

(psychiatry, of an autistic person) Requiring a high level of assistance to meet one's personal care needs.


low-masking

low-masking (comparative more low-masking, superlative most low-masking)

more low-masking (comparative)
most low-masking (superlative)

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Privilege works both ways – a high-masking autistic has the privilege of choosing whether or not to share their identity, while a low-masking autistic has the privilege of not having their identity doubted or questioned.

2023, Jolene Stockman, Notes for Neuro Navigators: The Allies' Quick-Start Guide to Championing Neurodivergent Brains, page 34:

It worries me that for some of us our initial spark of awareness might be snuffed out by dismissive therapists who think they know what autism looks like when their clinical knowledge is limited to low-masking autistics.

2024, Steph Jones, The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy, page 153:

Autistic men's and low-masking perspectives were also less represented.

2024, Eleonora Marocchini, Irene Baldin, “Cross-Neurotype Communication from an Autistic Point of View: Insights on a Autistic Theory of Mind from a Focus Group Study”, in International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, volume 59, number 6:

(psychiatry, of an autistic person) Engaging in a low level of masking; not prone to concealing or subduing one's autistic traits.


high-masking

high-masking (comparative more high-masking, superlative most high-masking)

more high-masking (comparative)
most high-masking (superlative)

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'Rules are very important to my girl and she will always follow them, also she is a high-masking autistic and tends to shut down rather than meltdown, so she rarely gets in trouble.'

2024, Rebecca Sparrow, Madonna King, Out of the Box: A One-stop Guide to Navigating Neurodivergence, unnumbered page:

My high-masking autistic personality, having achieved a semblance of “normalcy” by listening carefully to every word and every nuance, caught the hidden subtext.

2024, Tom Equels, The Horseman's Tale, unnumbered page:

(psychiatry, of an autistic person) Engaging in a high level of masking; prone to concealing or subduing one's autistic traits.


waiting mode

(slang) A neurodivergent phenonemon where someone feels unable to complete tasks while waiting for an important event or deadline.