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Glossary Of Terms
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
- Packing
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Therapy which involves wrapping the individual in towels previously wet in cold water. The individual is then wrapped with blankets to help the body warm up.
- PACT
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Acronym for the Pre-school Autism Communication Trial, a programme developed by the University of Manchester in the UK which uses a form of reciprocity training.
- Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus
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Condition in which children develop antibodies which attack the basal ganglia in the brain as well as those bacteria.
It is believed to be caused when a child is exposed to the common group-A beta-haemolytic streptococcal bacteria, which occur in the throat.
- Paired Associative Learning
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Teaching method which involves the learner experiencing two stimuli at once or in close proximity and beginning to associate them.
- Paliperidone
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An atypical anti-psychotic drug, sold under the brand name Invega®, used to treat delusional psychosis.
- Pamelor
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A brand name for nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant.
- PANDAS
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Acronym for Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus.
This is a condition in which children develop antibodies which attack the basal ganglia in the brain.
- Pangamatic or Pangamatic Acid
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Another name for DMG, an amino acid found in animal and plant cells, used as a food supplement.
- ParoMerck®
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Brand name for paroxetine, a type of SSRI anti-depressant. It is used to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression.
- Parotin®
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Brand name for paroxetine, a type of SSRI anti-depressant. It is used to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression.
- Paroxetine
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Type of SSRI anti-depressant used to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression.
- Pathological Demand Avoidance
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Condition in which individuals resist and avoid the ordinary demands of life, using skillful strategies which are socially manipulative (distracting adults, using excuses, appearing to become physically incapacitated).
- Patterning Therapies
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Range of therapies based on a series of movement patterns which are designed to facilitate neurological feedback to the brain.
- Paxil®
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Brand name for Paroxetine, a type of SSRI anti-depressant. It is used to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression.
- PBS
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Acronym for positive behavioural support, a process whereby individuals are assisted in acquiring adaptive, socially meaningful behaviours and encouraged to overcome maladaptive behaviours.
- PDA
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Acronym for pathological demand avoidance, a condition in which individuals resist and avoid the ordinary demands of life, using skillful strategies which are socially manipulative.
- PDD
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Acronym for Pervasive Developmental Disorder/s, which is sometimes used as another term for Autism Spectrum Disorder/s.
- PECS
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Acronym for Picture Exchange Communication System, an intervention which teaches the child to exchange a picture card for something the child likes and wants.
- Peer Review
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A refereeing process for checking the quality and importance of reports of research. An article submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal is reviewed by other experts in the area.
- Peptide
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Proteins created by the incomplete breakdown of gluten and/or casein in the digestive system.
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Last Updated : 07/09/2009
