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
A form of attachment therapy, an extremely controversial group of therapies designed to help children with attachment disorders.
A method that uses the play of chance to assign participants to comparison groups in a trial, e.g. by using a random numbers table or a computer-generated random sequence.
An experiment in which two or more interventions, possibly including a control intervention or no intervention, are compared by being randomly allocated to participants.
A brand name for fluoxetine, a type of SSRI Anti-depressant, used to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression.
Technique designed to develop academic and communication skills by eliciting responses through intensive verbal, auditory, visual and/or tactile prompts
A set of non-verbal intelligence tests.
Acronym for Randomised Control Trial, an experiment in which two or more interventions, possibly including a control intervention or no intervention, are compared by being randomly allocated to participants.
Acronym for Relationship Development Intervention, an intervention which aims to develop an individual’s ability to participate in authentic emotional relationships by exposing the individual to those relationships in a gradual, systematic way.
Use of trampolines to provide therapeutic exercise and recreation
Another term for responsiveness training, an Intervention in which parents are trained to detect and respond appropriately to the individual child’s attempts to communicate – however subtle, strange or even challenging these attempts may appear.
Type of play therapy, which refers to a large group of treatment methods which use the therapeutic benefits of play.
Brand name for dexfenfluramine hydrochloride, an appetite reduction drug. It was removed from sale because of significant safety fears.
A form of patterning therapy.
Practice of stimulating points on the feet, hands and ears
Process in which children appear to develop normal language and social skills but then lose these with the onset of autism before age 3.
Form of autism in which children appear to develop normal language and social skills but then lose these with the onset of autism before age 3. Some forms of regressive autism are severe enough to be classed as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
Acronym for Rhythmic Entrainment Intervention, a therapy which uses recorded hand drumming rhythms to stimulate the central nervous system and improve brain function.
Type of touch therapy and a form of faith healing, in which the practitioner places their hands in a sequence of positions which cover the whole body
Intervention which aims to develop an individual’s ability to participate in authentic emotional relationships by exposing the individual to those relationships in a gradual, systematic way
Range of interventions which focus on the child’s ability to form positive, meaningful relationships with other people