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Glossary of Terms on Autism Spectrum Disorders
This glossary is designed to explain some of the jargon and gobbledygook used by some people when they talk about autism or research.
You may be able to find more information, including links to other parts of this website, by clicking on the title of an item.
If you can’t find the word you are looking for, or you know of a word we should include, please email info@researchautism.net
Disclaimer
The fact that an intervention is listed in this glossary does not necessarily mean that we agree with its use. Nor does it necessarily mean that there is any scientifically valid or reliable evidence behind it.
Over time we hope to evaluate each of the interventions listed in this glossary, providing a ranking which tells you the level of scientific evidence which supports or does not support its use. You can find details of the interventions we have already ranked in the List of interventions
- Glossary Item
- Description
- 2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid
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Another term for DMPS, a synthetic chemical used as a chelating agent to remove heavy metals from the body.
- 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate
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Another term for folinic acid, an active form of folate, which is another term for Vitamin B-9, which is one of the B-group of vitamins
- 5-Methoxy-N-Acetyltryptamine Acetamide
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Another term for Melatonin, the hormone which regulates our biological clock.
- A to Z or A-Z method
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A form of video modeling, in which videos are used to teach a range of skills to individuals with autism, such as how to interpret facial expressions.
- AAC
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Acronym for alternative and augmentative communication, which refers to the different ways (other than speech) that people use to communicate with each other.
- AAT
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Acronym for Animal Assisted Therapy. Any therapy that involves a person interacting with animals.
- ABA
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Acronym for Applied Behavioural Analysis, an approach 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.
- ABC
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Acronym for Autism Behaviour Checklist, a checklist developed to help diagnose autism spectrum disorders.
- Abilify®
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Brand name for aripiprazole, a type of anti-psychotic medication sometimes used to treat problem behaviours in people with autism spectrum disorders.
- Acetyl-l-carnitine
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Another name for carnitine, a compound which helps in the consumption and disposal of fat in the body and which is sometimes taken as a nutritional supplement
- Acetylcysteine
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Another term for cysteine, an amino acid that can be found in many proteins throughout the body.
- Across-Task Schedule
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Another name for Visual Schedule, a set of pictures that communicates a series of activities or the steps of a specific activity.
- Actos®
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A brand name for Pioglitazone, a drug which is used with a diet and exercise programme and sometimes with other drugs to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Acupressure
- Therapy which involves placing physical pressure on different acupuncture points on the surface of the body .
- Acupuncture
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Therapy which involves inserting and manipulating needles into “acupuncture points” on the body.
- Adderall®
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A brand name of a stimulant composed of mixed amphetamine salts, which is used to treat inattention and hyperactivity.
- ADH
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Acronym for antidiuretic hormone, which is another term for vasopressin. This is a hormone which plays an important role in increasing water re-absorption in the kidneys. It has also been implicated in social behaviours and in reducing anxiety.
- ADHD
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Acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a condition in children who have three main kinds of problems, overactive behaviour (hyperactivity), impulsive behaviour, and difficulty in paying attention.
- ADOS
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Acronym for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, a diagnostic tool designed to assess behaviours related to autism spectrum disorders.
- Adrenergic Antagonists
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A class of drug used to treat a range of conditions including hypertension, angina, irregular heart beat, heart failure and heart attack.
Last Updated : 20/03/2009Back To Top
