Copy of `Research Autism - Glossary of autism spectrum`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

Research Autism - Glossary of autism spectrum Category: Health and Medicine > Autism Date & country: 16/12/2007, UK Words: 577

CARS
Acronym for Childhood Autism Rating Scale

Carriage driving
Variation on horse riding, itself a type of Animal therapy

Canine therapy
Another name for Assistance Dogs and a type of Animal therapy

BSL
Acronym for British Sign Language

Camphill Movement
Approach which incorporates the 'Waldorf' or 'Rudolf Steiner' curriculum and has three guiding principles, namely importance of community life, sharing of experiences and resources, and development of a social, educational, and therapeutic approach

British Sign Language
Sign language used by the deaf community and others in the United Kingdom and some other countries

Brushing technique
Applying rapid and firm pressure touch to the arms, hands, back, legs, and feet using a surgical brush

Breast feeding, extended
Form of therapy, designed to build the relationship between mother and child

Brain Gym
Programme based around a series of physical exercises

Bowen technique
Soft tissue remedial therapy, named after its innovator Tom Bowen. The technique involves the therapist using fingers or thumbs to move over muscle, ligament tendon and fascia in various parts of the body.

Bowel
The organ which stores faeces before these are discharged from the body. Some people with autism find it hard to control their bowels.

Blood Brain Barrier
A semi-permeable membrane separating the brain and cerebrospinal fluid from the blood. It allows small and lipid soluble molecules to pass freely but is impermeable to large or ionized molecules and cells.

Blinding
The process of preventing those involved in a trial from knowing to which comparison group a particular participant belongs.

Bladder
Organ in which urine is stored before it is discharged from the body. Some people with autism find it difficult to control their bladders.

Biomedical treatments
Large group of interventions which aim to correct problems in the body's metabolic system. Includes diets, mineral and vitamin supplements etc.

Biofeedback
Therapy in which individuals are taught to control physiological functions such as heart rate, muscle tension, and brain waves

Beta blockers
Also known as adrenergic antagonists, a class of drug used to treat a range of conditions, including hypertension

Berard`s therapy
Another term for Auditory Integration Training, in which people with autism are treated by listening to modified sounds.

Behavioural phenotype
A characteristic pattern of motor, cognitive, linguistic and social abnormalities which is consistently associated with a biological disorder

Befriending
Scheme which encourages individuals to benefit from a one-to-one relationship with a volunteer befriender

Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Umbrella term for a range of neurological disorders. Characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development including social skills, communication and repetitive behaviour.

Autistic Disorder
Another term for Autism

Autism Screening Questionnaire
Checklist that has been developed to help diagnose ASD. Generally thought to be less accurate than detailed interviews such as ADI and DISCO.

Autism Preschool Program
Based at the University of Manitoba, uses a variety of behavioural and language development methods

Autism pre-school programme
Similar to the Rutger's programme. It offers parents and caregivers support in behavioural and language development methods that are then carried out at home or during day care.

Autism Diagnostic Interview
Detailed interview used with families when trying to diagnose ASD.

Autism Behaviour Checklist
Checklist developed to help diagnose ASD. Generally less accurate than detailed interviews such as ADI and DISCO.

Autism
A form of ASD, characterized by impairments in social interactions, social communication and imagination. People with autism usually have other conditions including learning disabilities.

Augmentative Communication
Use of personalised methods or devices to help individuals with disabilities to communicate

Audiokinetron
A machine developed to deliver Auditory Integration Training. The person with autism uses the machine to listen to modified sounds.

Auditory
Relating to sound.

Auditory Integration Training
A form of therapy in which a person with autism listens to a selection of music which has been modified.

Assistance animals
Type of Animal therapy

Assistance animal
An animal, usually a dog, which has been trained to help someone with autism. It acts as a companion and helps the person to communicate and socialise. It also stops the person getting lost or hurt.

Asperger's Syndrome
Form of ASD, characterized by normal IQ but impairments in social interactions, social communication and imagination.

ASD
Acronym for Autistic Spectrum Disorder/s

ASL
Acronym for American Sign Language

Art Therapy
Use of art for therapeutic purposes

AS
Acronym for Asperger syndrome, a form of autistic spectrum disorder, characterized by normal IQ but impairments in social interactions, social communication and imagination.

Aripiprazole
Type of Anti-psychotic

Aromatherapy
Therapy involving the use of essential plant oils, generally in combination with massage, to treat a range of conditions.

Applied Behavioural Analysis
Highly structured and intense behavioural intervention

Applied Behavioural Analysis
Form of therapy in which behavioural interventions are used to build positive behaviours such as language and socialisation, and to suppress unwanted behaviours such as self-stimulatory or aggressive behaviours.

Anxiolytics
Another term for tranquillisers

Anxiety
Condition which may include excessive worrying and agitation accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid breathing and a fast heartbeat. It can become a problem if the response becomes exaggerated and interferes with daily living.

Antidepressant
Group of drugs that may help to relieve the symptoms of depression.

Antipsychotic
Group of drugs used to treat psychosis. Sometime used to treat some of the symptoms of autism.

Anti-oxidants
Class of substances, including some medications and some food supplements, used to slow or inhibit the oxidization of other chemicals

Anti-hypertensives
Class of drugs used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)

Anti-fungal drugs
Class of drugs used to treat fungal infections

Anti-histamines
Class of drugs used to treat the effects of histamine (a chemical released during allergic reactions)

Anti-depressants
Class of drugs used to treat depression and other mood disorders

Anti-convulsants
Class of drugs used to treat convulsions, fits or epilepsy

Anti-body
Protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. Also called immunoglobulin.

Anti-biotics
Class of drugs used to kill or prevent the growth of bacteria

Anti-anxiety drugs
Class of drugs used to treat anxiety and mood disorders

Anti-allergy interventions
Group of interventions which range from over-the-counter and prescription medications to vitamin therapy, nutritional supplements, and reduction of allergens in a person's surroundings

Animal therapy
Therapy that involves a person with autism interacting with animals. For example, swimming with dolphins, learning to ride a horse or keeping a pet.

Anecdotal
Subjective, usually unpublished, observations. Generally considered to be less reliable than objective, scientific studies.

American Sign Language
Sign language used by the deaf community and others in many parts of North America

Amisulpride
Type of Anti-psychotic

Ambient lenses
Another name for prisms

Alternative Communication
Another term for Augmentative Communication

Alpha lipoic acid
A chemical which is sometimes used as a chelating agent to remove toxic metals. Some people believe toxic metals cause autism.

AIT plus
Form of therapy which combines AIT with Light Therapy and Sound modulation.

Allocation concealment
The process used to ensure that the person deciding to enter a participant into a randomised controlled trial does not know the comparison group into which that individual will be allocated.

AIT
Acronym for Auditory Integration Training.

Adrenergic antagonists
Also known as beta blockers, a class of drug used to treat a range of conditions such as hypertension

Advocacy
Speaking or acting on one's own behalf or on behalf of others

Aetiology
Science that deals with the causes or origin of disease, the factors which produce or predispose toward a certain disease or disorder

Adderall
A stimulant

ADHD
Acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Acupuncture
Therapy which involves inserting and manipulating needles into 'acupuncture points' on the body. Some people believe this this will restore health and well-being.

Acupressure
Therapy which involves placing physical pressure on different acupuncture points on the surface of the body .

ABA
Acronym for Applied Behavioural Analysis

ABC
Acronym for Autism Behaviour Checklist

Across-Task Schedule
Another name for Visual Schedule