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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
- Facilitated Communication
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Intervention designed to help people with limited communication develop their pointing skills.
- Faith Healing
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A wide range of interventions and practices which attempt to use religious or spiritual means to prevent illness, cure disease, or improve health.
- Family-centred PBS programmes
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Programmes which involve parents and professionals working together, in a systematic and collaborative fashion, to address a child’s challenging behaviour
- Fast ForWord®
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Set of interactive computerized language-learning programmes designed to develop and strengthen memory, attention, processing rate, and sequencing.
- Fatty Acids
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Another term for essential fatty acids, which are essential amino acids that cannot be created within the human body and must therefore be obtained from the diet
- Faverin®
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Brand name for Fluvoxamine, a type of SSRI anti-depressant, used to treat a range of conditions but especially obsessive compulsive disorder
- FCT
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Acronym for Functional Communication Training, a behavioural strategy for teaching people to use signs or other techniques as substitutes for the ‘messages’ underlying their challenging behaviour.
- FDA
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Acronym for the US Food and Drug Administration, the body which authorises the use of drugs in the USA.
- Feingold Diet or Program
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Diet which requires the individual to avoid some additives – such as synthetic colourings, flavourings, and preservatives – as well as salicylate – a natural plant toxin found in some foodstuffs and medicines.
- Feldenkrais Method
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An approach which teaches an individual how to move with greater ease, comfort, and coordination.
- Felicium®
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A brand name for fluoxetine, a type of SSRI anti-depressant, used to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression.
- Fenfluramine
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Fenfluramine hydrochloride is an indirect 5-HT receptor agonist that was used as an anoretic i.e. an appetite reduction drug that was removed from sale in 1997 because of significant safety fears.
- Feuerstein Technique
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Another name for Mediated Learning, an educational programme based on the idea that because intelligence is plastic and changeable, not fixed, it can be “taught” within a mediated learning environment.
- Fibroblast Growth Factors
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Proteins that bind to receptors on the surface of cells.
- Fine Motor Skill
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Skill relating to movement of a small part of the body. For example, the skill required to hold a pencil between the fingers and thumb.
- Fit
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Another term for seizure, which is a sudden change in behaviour due to an excessive electrical activity in the brain.
- Flexyx Therapy
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A form of biofeedback, in which an individual’s own brainwaves are used to return information back to the brain.
- Floortime
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The main strategy used in the DIR method. ‘Floortime’ exercises allow the carer to take an active, developmental role in spontaneous and fun activities that are directed by the child’s interests and actions.
- Fluconazole
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A type of anti-fungal medication, used to treat a range of fungal infections.
- Fluoxetine
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Type of SSRI anti-depressant which is used to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression.
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Last Updated : 26/08/2009
