Abbreviations

Abbreviations

• ABA - Applied Behaviour Analysis
• AS - Asperger’s Syndrome (or Aspergers). It is to autism but without any language delay and with average or above intelligence.
• ASC - Autism spectrum condition
• ASD - Autism spectrum disorder
• HFA - High Functioning Autism
• NAS - National Autistic Society (UK)
• NT - Neurotypical
• PDD-NOS - Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. The person possesses behaviours seen in autism but they do not meet the full criteria for having an autistic disorder

Slang

• Aspie - A person with Asperger’s Syndrome
• Autie - A person with Autism

Terms

• Disability Statistical Manual (DSM) - it is an American catalogue of medical diagnoses. We're currently on version DSM-IV.
• TOM - Theory of Mind. This is one's ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings and desires which are different from your own. Empathy.
• Triad of Impairments - the areas autistic people supposedly find difficult to process: social interaction, social communication and social imagination.