Glossary
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Core Concepts
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Neurodivergent (ND) and/or 'Neurospicy'
A person whose brain works differently from the dominant societal norm (e.g., autistic, ADHD, dyslexic).
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Neurotypical (NT)
Someone whose brain functions in ways considered ‘typical’ by society.
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Neurodiversity
The natural variation in human brains and minds; includes everyone, ND and neurotypical.
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Neurodiverse (group term only)
A mixed group containing people with different neurotypes.
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Neurodivergence
The specific type of difference a person has (e.g., autism, ADHD).
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​ Communication & Interaction
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Echolalia
Repetition of words, phrases, or sounds, used for communication, processing, or regulation.
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Scripting
Using memorised lines from media or past conversations in social interactions.
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Info-Dumping
Sharing a lot of information about a special interest as a form of connection.
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Double Empathy Problem
Communication breakdowns between ND and NT people are mutual misunderstandings, not just ND deficits.
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Parallel Play (Adults)
Spending time alongside someone doing separate tasks, without direct interaction.
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Sensory Processing
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Stimming
Repetitive movements or sounds used to self-regulate (e.g., rocking, tapping, picking).
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Proprioception
Sense of body position and movement in space.
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Interoception
Awareness of internal bodily sensations (e.g., hunger, thirst, needing the toilet).
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Vestibular Sense
Sense of balance and spatial orientation.
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Synesthesia
Cross-wiring of senses, e.g., seeing colours when hearing music or reading words.
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Sensory Processing Differences
Over- or under-responsiveness to sensory input (light, sound, textures).
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Chromesthesia
Seeing colours in response to sounds.
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Grapheme–Colour Synesthesia
Seeing specific letters/numbers as specific colours.
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​ Emotional & Self-Regulation
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Masking
Hiding or suppressing natural ND traits to fit in.
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Unmasking
Reducing or stopping masking behaviours.
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Autistic Burnout
Exhaustion from prolonged masking, stress, and unmet needs.
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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
Extreme emotional sensitivity to perceived rejection or criticism.
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Spoons Theory
A metaphor for limited energy reserves.
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Alexithymia
Difficulty recognising or describing one’s own emotions.
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Meltdown
Intense involuntary emotional/physical response to overwhelm.
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Shutdown
Withdrawal or non-responsiveness due to overwhelm.​
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Thinking & Learning
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Special Interest (SPIN)
Deep, joyful focus on a topic or activity.​
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Hyperfocus
A state of intense concentration where someone becomes completely absorbed in a task, activity, or interest, often to the exclusion of everything else around them.​
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Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
An eating disorder characterised by restriction of the quantity and/or variety of foods an individual consumes, caused by multiple underlying factors including sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and differences in how internal body signals like fullness are perceived.
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Executive Dysfunction
Difficulty starting, planning, or completing tasks.
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Time Blindness
Difficulty sensing the passage of time.
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Task Switching Fatigue
Mental drain caused by frequent changes in tasks.
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Metaphors & Cultural Terms
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Penguin Pebbling
Sharing small tokens, info, or gestures as a sign of care. See: Neurodivergent Love Languages.
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Body Doubling
Doing tasks alongside someone else for motivation.
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Spiky Profile
Uneven mix of high strengths and high support needs across skill areas.
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Advocacy & Affirming Language
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Neuro-affirming
Approaches that validate ND identity and adapt environments, not people.
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Nothing About Us Without Us
Principle that ND people must be involved in decisions affecting them.
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Support Needs-Based Language
Describing needs directly instead of using ‘high/low functioning’ labels, which are outdated and problematic.
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Identity-First Language
Puts the neurodivergence first, e.g., ‘autistic person.’ Preferred by many autistic people because it affirms neurodivergence as part of identity, not something separate.
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Person-First Language
Puts the person before the condition, e.g., ‘person with autism.’ Still used in some professional or medical settings, though less favoured by many lived-experience communities.
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Ableism
A form of discrimination, prejudice, or social bias against people with disabilities. It assumes that being able-bodied or neurotypical is 'normal' or superior, and treats anything else as inferior, undesirable, fake, or a problem to be fixed.
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Internalised Ableism
Absorbing and believing negative societal views about ND traits.
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Conditions / Diagnoses
Summary of widely recognised neurodivergent and ND-adjacent conditions.
For a more exhaustive list, see here.
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ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A spectrum of neurodevelopmental differences affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour.
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Bipolar Disorder (Neurodivergent Expression)
While primarily a mood disorder, some neurodivergent communities identify certain bipolar traits (e.g., divergent cognition and emotional intensity) as part of neurodivergent experience.
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Dyscalculia
Difficulty with understanding numbers, math concepts, and calculations despite normal intelligence.
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Dysgraphia
Challenges with writing, spelling, and expressing thoughts on paper.
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Dyslexia
Difficulty with reading, spelling, and decoding written language, often paired with strong oral skills.
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Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)
Impaired motor coordination, affecting movement, balance, and sometimes speech.
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Intellectual Disability
Significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, affecting learning and daily life.​
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD, in some contexts)
Neurodivergent expression includes intense repetitive thoughts and behaviours, which can overlap with executive functioning differences.
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Often co-occurring with ADHD; involves defiant, oppositional, and irritable behaviour.
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Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
A profile on the autism spectrum characterised by extreme anxiety-driven resistance to everyday demands and expectations, often involving social strategies to avoid them.
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Schizoaffective Disorder
Combination of mood disorder and schizophrenia-like symptoms; sometimes included in broader neurodivergent discussions.
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Difficulty responding appropriately to sensory input, leading to over- or under-sensitivity.
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Tourette Syndrome / Tic Disorders
Involuntary motor or vocal tics that vary in frequency and severity.
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Trichotillomania
Compulsive hair-pulling disorder, considered part of neurodivergent obsessive-compulsive spectrum in some frameworks.
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