Autismology: An Autism Dictionary

Autismology: An Autism Dictionary

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© 2022 Tosha Rollins

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No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author.

ISBN: 9781949177961

eBook Designed by Acepub

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Autismology, An Autism Dictionary came about with the efforts of many individuals. Special thanks to the contributors and collaborators who helped make this resource available to families:

Tosha Rollins, LPC – Author

Claire Kraft – Research & References

Alexandra Peters – Research & References

Amy Sippl, MS, BCBA – Research & References

Rachel Knight – Research & References

Chris Hanson, Life Skills Advocate – Collaborator

Becky Large, Champion Autism Network – Collaborator

CONTENTS

Foreword

Letter from the Author

A-C

D-F

G-I

J-O

P-R

S

T-W

References

About the Author

FOREWORD

Autismology is a much-needed resource for parents and people living with autism. Capturing key phrases in the increasingly accepted neurodiversity movement, Tosha gives readers much needed information to better navigate the complex medical systems affecting the care of themselves or loved ones. Tosha gives readers a fresh perspective on the ever-growing culture of neurodiversity. She provides readers the language of autism, a much-needed step in solidifying a movement that has been around for almost 30 years. This work is necessary for any professional working with mental health who wishes to serve people with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder remains ever pressingly challenging to live with and this text is a much-needed edition to understanding the language of its increasingly accepted culture.

— Sean M Inderbitzen, LCSW,

therapist and person on

the autism spectrum

LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR

As a young mom, I often had a very hard time understanding autism. I was very overwhelmed having two children on the autism spectrum. When they were diagnosed nearly two decades ago, there wasn’t much of an explanation from medical professionals. I learned a lot on my own searching online while searching for answers and talking to supportive friends. Oftentimes I would find out something I hadn’t discovered yet on accident by simply talking to others about autism. I would run across one website to another and before I knew it, I felt even more overwhelmed and frustrated that I couldn’t find the answers I was looking for in one place. One resource would have some of the answers, and another website may have additional information. This sparked my interest in creating a dictionary reference for parents and professionals. This resource took over four years to create and a lot of cross-referencing online and collaboration with others to pull information together into one valuable resource. My hope is that it helps to cultivate conversations about autism and spreads autism awareness throughout your community. I also hope it serves as a guide to seek out additional resources that you may not have heard of before. I hope this culmination of definitions serves medical professionals well to help identify and inform patients about the language autism families are learning as they travel through their individual journeys in autism. Please know that these definitions are not all inclusive, as this field is ever changing and growing in knowledge. This dictionary can also serve the academic world by helping students who will become future medical professionals to implement a more inclusive, educated, and culture-aware point of view through the education of language through the lens offering an autism perspective.

ABC DATA

A system of data collection used in Applied Behavioral Therapy, referred to as ABA therapy, as well as in educational settings. ABC data is collected through direct observation and reports when problematic or disruptive behavior in the environment. ABC is an abbreviation for: Antecedent (something that occurs immediately before a behavior), Behavior (a detailed description of the action or behavior), and Consequence (something that occurs immediately after a behavior takes place). Parents and educators may be asked to record ABC data prior to an IEP evaluation.²

ABELISM

Ableism is a particular set of beliefs or practices that devalue or discriminate against people with certain physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities and mostly assumes that disabled people need to be ‘fixed.’ Limiting beliefs about disabled individuals intertwined in our culture that impact certain perspectives or limited views on how able-bodied people treat individuals with disabilities.³

ABERRANT

Behavior that is significantly unlike or contrasts from what is normally accepted as usual in a culture or society.⁴

ABNORMAL  BEHAVIOR

Behaviors that are significantly different from what is considered acceptable or normal in a culture or society.⁴

ABSTRACT THINKING

Thinking characterized by using generalized ideas, thoughts, or concepts.⁵

ACCOMMODATION

Adjustment, adaptation, revision, or modification to meet needs of individuals with disabilities.⁵

ACROSS MODALITIES

In teaching terms, this means teaching methods that can use one or several of the senses, such as visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), tactile (touch), and kinesthetic (movement). Also referred to as multi-sensory teachings.⁴

ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR

Encompassing the ability to adjust to new experiences, interact or communicate with new people and participate in brand new activities or try new experiences.⁶

ADAPTIVE  EQUIPMENT

The ability to adjust to brand new experiences, communicate with new people, and engage in new activities or experiences.⁶

ADAPTIVE (FUNCTIONAL) SKILLS

Skills used in daily lives in the home and community settings. Some examples of adaptive skills include: functional independence, self-reliance, problem-solving, decision-making, self-monitoring, coping skills, social pragmatics, social skills, social communication, and pursuit of leisure activities.⁷

ADMISSION, REVIEW, DISMISSAL (ARD)

ARD meetings are held to admit, review, or dismiss students into special education programs. This process occurs prior to an Individual Education Program, or IEP, being implemented by a school district.⁸

ADVOCACY

Actions of an individual that support a cause. Autism advocacy might involve attending events, meeting with community, meeting with stakeholders, and providing education to people