Glossary

Here you will find definitions for common words or phrases that are related to neurodiversity and neurodivergence. If you see a word that is highlighted within a definition below, it indicates that this word is also defined here. These words or phrases may appear throughout this toolkit, so please refer back to the glossary if you come across a term that is unfamiliar to you.

Body doubling

This involves completing a task with someone else in the room who may be completing the same or similar task. This approach can help some neurodiverse individuals with motivation and executive function on tasks that they’ve been avoiding – the presence of another person can add light pressure to remain on task or help to model focused work.

Burnout

This is an extreme state of exhaustion, frustration and the loss of skills caused by chronic stress, overworking and/or consistent overstimulation and masking. It can occur as part of many neurodiversities but is most commonly related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals who experience a period of burnout may require significant time to recover their skills and well-being.

Disability

The 2010 Equality Act³ defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities”. Within the Act, neurodiversity falls under the umbrella of ‘disability’. However, many neurodivergent individuals do not identify as being disabled or having a disability.

Hyperfocus/Hyperfixation

Similar to a special interest, hyperfocus (sometimes referred to as ‘hyperfixation’) involves intense concentration on a topic or task. However, this term is more often related to individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A person who is hyperfocused can complete large amounts of learning or work but may also become oblivious to external factors, including the passage of time and the actions of those around them. Hyperfocus is more likely to occur when the individual has a passion for – or keen interest in – the topic or activity at hand.

Masking

This involves an individual hiding or suppressing some of their neurodivergent traits to ‘fit in’ with neurotypical behaviours and societal expectations. Examples include forcing themselves to make eye contact; socialising with others while being hyperaware of what they say or do; and hiding or suppressing tics or stimming behaviours. Masking takes conscious effort and focus, so prolonged periods of it can have a negative effect on the  neurodivergent individual’s well-being, mental health and
capacity to complete tasks.

Meltdown

This is caused by extreme and prolonged feelings of anxiety or overstimulation. Someone who is experiencing a meltdown may express their distress through crying, screaming, shouting, frustration, anger or in many other ways. Ambitious about Autism⁴, a UK charity supporting autistic children and young people, describes meltdowns as an example of the ‘fight’ response, when a distressing or uncomfortable situation has caused a build-up of negative emotion or stress that can no longer be suppressed.

Neurodivergent

In our report and this toolkit, we use the term neurodivergent’ to describe individuals who identify as having one or more minority neurotypes. The examples included in this toolkit are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, hyperlexia, synaesthesia and Tourette Syndrome.

Neurodiversity

This is the concept that “all humans vary in terms of our neurocognitive ability” (Genius Within).⁵ The term spans the full range of neurotypes, including neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals.

Overstimulation

In relation to neurodiversity, overstimulation occurs when an individual becomes overwhelmed by external stimuli or sensory input which they are unable to process comfortably. For example, a neurodivergent individual could become overstimulated in loud or busy situations, in very bright lighting, by wearing certain materials or by smelling certain smells. Long periods of overstimulation, sometimes referred to as ‘sensory overload’, can lead to emotional distress and even meltdown. Stimming can sometimes help an individual to prevent overstimulation by offering a controlled sensory input or output to focus on.

Shutdown

Although this has the same triggers as a meltdown, it exhibits very differently. Whereas a meltdown gives rise to outward expressions of anxiety and distress, a shutdown causes the individual to close off and possibly lose the ability to communicate or express themselves. The Ambitious about Autism charity describes it like this: “If meltdowns are equivalent to the fight response, then shutdowns are similar to the freeze response.”⁶

Social model of disability

This highlights that society can be disabling to some individuals and should be adjusted to improve accessibility; the individuals affected should not have to change themselves to fit society. At the IET, we follow this model in our values and our approach to global engineering challenges.

Special interests (SIs)

This is an intense interest and focus on a specific topic. It’s a common trait in people who have autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – the individual may endeavour to learn and immerse themselves in everything they can about their SI or collect as many associated items as possible. These interests can be anything at all, from sports teams to historical events and periods to beauty and healthcare; the list is endless, and the SI will be unique to the individual.

Stimming/Stim

‘Stimming’ is when an individual performs a repetitive action – it can be done for a variety of purposes, including enjoyment, to self-soothe or calm anxiety, or to gain or reduce external sensory input. The individual actions are known as ‘stims’ – common examples include hand-flapping, rocking, tapping, jumping, repeating phrases, words or sounds, fidgeting with an object or touching a particular texture or material. Stims can be physical, verbal or auditory and are unique to each neurodivergent individual.

Tic

This is a repetitive and involuntary motor or vocal output. It is a characteristic of Tourette Syndrome. Tics are unique to the individual and can manifest in many ways, such as repeating a sound or phrase, twitching or jerking, excessive blinking, involuntary facial expressions or clicking fingers. Like stims, tics can become more frequent at times of anxiety, stress or excitement. They can sometimes be suppressed, but this can be detrimental to the individual.

References