SO what's all this about?
When someone in your family is diagnosed on the autism spectrum (or if you suspect they - or you - might be autistic), as you start to read and research, you'll venture into a world with it's own "jargon" (definition: special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand. Ex: Doctor-speak).
This page includes terms, and links to pages that helpful autistic adults have put together. Please click, read, and learn. Knowledge is power, and will help you on your journey!
This page includes terms, and links to pages that helpful autistic adults have put together. Please click, read, and learn. Knowledge is power, and will help you on your journey!
HELPFUL TERMS:
Working Definitions by Musings of an Aspie
" I was puzzled by words like neurotypical and stimming. Now that I find myself using these and other autism-specific words on a regular basis, I figured it might be helpful to create a list of simple definitions for readers new to the language of the spectrum."
Working Definitions by Musings of an Aspie
" I was puzzled by words like neurotypical and stimming. Now that I find myself using these and other autism-specific words on a regular basis, I figured it might be helpful to create a list of simple definitions for readers new to the language of the spectrum."
- Allistic: This refers to someone who is not autistic.
- Neurotypical (NT): A mash-up of the words neurologically typical, neurotypical is often used as shorthand for people who are not on the spectrum, though nonautistic people can be neuro-atypical as well. A more correct term for nonautistic people is allistic. Read more
Neurodiversity:Some Basic Terms & Definitions
by Nick Walker at Neurocosmopolitanism
"...For those of us who seek to propagate and build upon the neurodiversity paradigm – especially those of us who are producing writing on neurodiversity – it’s vital that we maintain some basic clarity and consistency of language, for the sake of effective communication among ourselves and with our broader audiences. Clarity of language supports clarity of understanding." READ MORE
by Nick Walker at Neurocosmopolitanism
"...For those of us who seek to propagate and build upon the neurodiversity paradigm – especially those of us who are producing writing on neurodiversity – it’s vital that we maintain some basic clarity and consistency of language, for the sake of effective communication among ourselves and with our broader audiences. Clarity of language supports clarity of understanding." READ MORE
What is Stimming?
...The fact is that official (and official-ish) stimming definitions are usually vague and rely on two or three examples. What’s more, they rarely agree with each other. And while it’s easy to find that stimming is associated with autism, few sources mention that it exists in the neurotypical (NT) population, or what the cause of a stim is likely to be…Stimming is very important to us. We want to share how we think about stimming, not from a medical or technical point of view, but from the eyes and ears and hands of all of us who stim and love to stim. READ MORE
...The fact is that official (and official-ish) stimming definitions are usually vague and rely on two or three examples. What’s more, they rarely agree with each other. And while it’s easy to find that stimming is associated with autism, few sources mention that it exists in the neurotypical (NT) population, or what the cause of a stim is likely to be…Stimming is very important to us. We want to share how we think about stimming, not from a medical or technical point of view, but from the eyes and ears and hands of all of us who stim and love to stim. READ MORE
Stimming! Blog
Welcome to the Stimming! Blog, where we share articles, blog posts, videos and artwork that celebrate stimming. Is there something you'd like us to feature here? Let us know at stimmingblog@gmail.com. We're looking for links to published videos, art or writing that are stimming positive as well as original art, photos or writing. If you send us something original to publish on the Stimming! Blog, be sure that it's your own work and mention in the email that we have your permission to share it here.
Welcome to the Stimming! Blog, where we share articles, blog posts, videos and artwork that celebrate stimming. Is there something you'd like us to feature here? Let us know at stimmingblog@gmail.com. We're looking for links to published videos, art or writing that are stimming positive as well as original art, photos or writing. If you send us something original to publish on the Stimming! Blog, be sure that it's your own work and mention in the email that we have your permission to share it here.
The Autism Umbrella
by Creigh at Autism Spectrum Explained
The autism "umbrella" represented the fact that many different disorders once fell under the larger label of autism (technically pervasive developmental disorders), and exists because classic autism was actually once considered to be one of many different autism spectrum disorders with similar characteristics. The disorders all had slightly different characteristics, which are summarized below.
The most common disorders included:
Classic autism: Deficits in communication and social interaction, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, with symptoms showing before age three
Asperger syndrome: Many of the same main deficits as classic autism, but presents without language delays and requires fewer symptoms to be present for diagnosis - a friend on the spectrum once described this as "Autism Lite"
PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified): Doesn't meet the full criteria to be diagnosed with any of the other pervasive developmental disorders, but still presents with deficits in the triad of communication, social interaction, and/or restricted, repetitive behaviors - a friend dubbed this "Autism Not Clearly Defined". READ MORE
The autism "umbrella" represented the fact that many different disorders once fell under the larger label of autism (technically pervasive developmental disorders), and exists because classic autism was actually once considered to be one of many different autism spectrum disorders with similar characteristics. The disorders all had slightly different characteristics, which are summarized below.
The most common disorders included:
Classic autism: Deficits in communication and social interaction, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, with symptoms showing before age three
Asperger syndrome: Many of the same main deficits as classic autism, but presents without language delays and requires fewer symptoms to be present for diagnosis - a friend on the spectrum once described this as "Autism Lite"
PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified): Doesn't meet the full criteria to be diagnosed with any of the other pervasive developmental disorders, but still presents with deficits in the triad of communication, social interaction, and/or restricted, repetitive behaviors - a friend dubbed this "Autism Not Clearly Defined". READ MORE
old "Umbrella" Grouping
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Current Grouping
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Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino
(not specific to autism, but applies very well)
"...Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. So for my explanation, I used spoons to convey this point. I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a “loss” of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control." READ MORE
(not specific to autism, but applies very well)
"...Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. So for my explanation, I used spoons to convey this point. I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a “loss” of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control." READ MORE