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
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
Early intensive behavioural intervention provided by the provincial government in Ontario.
Acronym for the latest version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
Organic compound of the quinone family which is supposed to promote nerve growth factor in the brain
Term used when the cause of a disease or disorder is unknown.
A tricyclic anti-depressant sold under various brand names including Tofranil®.
Protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.
Group of interventions which are designed to make the immune system work more effectively.
Measures the rate of occurrence of new cases of a disease or disorder.
Form of teaching in which a teacher takes advantage of naturally occurring ‘incidents’ or situations to provide learning opportunities for the student.
Another term for autism. It is also known as autistic disorder, childhood autism, early infantile autism, infantile psychosis, or Kanner’s syndrome.
Another term for autism. It is also known as autistic disorder, childhood autism, early infantile autism, infantile autism or Kanner’s syndrome.
Chronic inflammatory diseases that may occur in any part of the gut.
Treatment which uses infrared radiation to increase circulation and nourish damaged tissue.
Inability to sleep applied to the general complaint of having trouble falling or staying asleep.
An individual and group therapy approach that combines speech-language pathology, behavioural and mental health counseling, and yoga.
The use of conventional and complementary medicine alongside one another. .
Another term for Learning Disability, a permanent condition, arising during childhood or adolescence. It is characterised by a state of incomplete development of mind that includes significant impairments of intelligence and social functioning.
An intelligence quotient or IQ is a score derived from one of several different standardized tests attempting to measure intelligence.
Highly structured and intense intervention in which a child is taught a range of skills by a team of therapists.
An approach to teaching the pre-speech fundamentals of communication to children and adults who have severe learning difficulties and/or autism and who are still at an early stage of communication development