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Neurodivergent Glossary – Big Book of Terms

Welcome to the Neurodivergent Glossary, Weirdly Successful’s treasure trove of all the terms for neurodivergence! This is where you can find all the definitions for the terms used on the website.

In-depth descriptions, references and links for everything neurodivergence

Learning about the wonderful world of neurodivergence can be overwhelming and a bit of a rabbit hole. Trust us, we’ve been there.

To help you with the process, below you can find all the expressions, terms and special words that can come up.

Glossary term pages contain a lot of information and link to related articles containing that term, so this can help you learn more about a specific term.

We’re constantly updating the glossary with more terms and details, so make sure to check back often!

Latest updated terms

Body doubling

Executive dysfunction

Spiritual bypassing

Take the neurodivergent glossary with you: look for definitions in the articles!

You don’t have to read this all in one go! Feel free to just go off and browse the blog. Because the glossary is always with you – if you need it! Here’s how.

  • If you encounter a term in an article that has a definition, it is underlined with a dotted line. It will look like this: dyslexia.
  • Just hover over it (or click on mobile) and a handy little box appears with a short explanation of the term.
  • If you then want to know more about that, you can click over to get to the glossary page, or just continue reading the article.

Browse the Neurodivergent Glossary

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Neurodivergence basics
  • Neurodivergent conditions and trait groups
  • Attention and Focus related terms
  • Sensory terms
  • Neuropsychology terms
  • Neurology and biology
  • Diagnosis and medication
  • Society and social attitudes
  • Alphabetical Search

Neurodivergence basics

Neurodivergence

Neurodivergent conditions include ADHD, Autism, OCD, Sensory Processing Disorder and specific learning difficulties, like dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.

Read moreNeurodivergence

Neurodiversity

The word neurodiversity is used to describe a diverse group of individuals with different neurotypes. It includes all humans, though colloquially it is often used for a group of neurodivergent people.

Neurotypical

A neurotypical person is someone without neurodivergent conditions. A neurotypical solution is one made for neurotypical people.

Allistic

The term allistic refers to people who are not autistic. Neurodivergent and neurotypical people can both be allistic if they are not autistic.

Neurospicy

An informal and tongue-in-cheek term for neurodivergence, often used in a funny way.

Neurodivergent adaptations

Adaptations or coping mechanisms are adjustments you make for yourself or made for you to create a safe and comfortable environment for you to exist in.


Neurodivergent conditions and trait groups

ADHD

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a lifelong, hereditary neurological condition. A person with ADHD can be inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive in their internal mental processes as well as their outward presentation.

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is the previous name of the condition and officially hasn’t been in use since 1987.

Read moreADHD

Autism

Autism is a neurovariety that affects how an autistic person communicates and interacts with their environment.

It is diagnostically characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restrictive behaviours. However, many of the traits included in the diagnostic criteria are often simply how an autistic person experiences distress when their needs are not met and they are not supported by adaptations.

Autistic socialising and communication may look different from neurotypical interactions, but the autistic way is not “worse” or “problematic”, it’s just different.

Read moreAutism

Alexithymia

Alexithymia is the inability to assign names to feelings, describe them to others or talk about them. It is considered a separate neuropsychological condition but has significant overlaps with autism.

AuDHD

AuDHD is an unofficial term for co-occurring Autism and ADHD – it is used when someone has both conditions.

Autistic speech patterns

Autistic speech patterns refer to unique ways autistic folks communicate or use language, but these patterns can also be present throughout the neurodivergent spectrum.

Autistic speech patterns include
– echolalia (echoing what you or others say),
– palilalia (repeating your own words or phrases),
– scripting (planning what you’ll say),
– verbal stims (using words to stim)
– and vocal stims (using sounds to stim).

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty where a person has difficulty with numbers and mathematics in general.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning difficulty characterized by difficulties in writing, handwriting, and spelling. It is a condition that affects the ability to accurately and efficiently express thoughts or ideas through writing. Individuals with dysgraphia may struggle with letter formation, organizing thoughts coherently on paper, maintaining consistent spacing and alignment, and spelling.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. A dyslexic person with has difficulty with literacy skills and retaining information.

Dyspraxia

Developmental Coordination Disorder is a neurological condition that affects motor skills and coordination. People with DCD can have trouble with balancing, or tasks that require fine motor skills like tying shoelaces, holding pens or cutlery.

Misophonia

Misophonia is a neurodivergent condition characterized by an intense emotional and physiological response to specific sounds. People with misophonia experience strong negative reactions, such as anger, anxiety, or disgust, when exposed to certain sounds. These sounds can vary from person to person but commonly include chewing, slurping, tapping, or repetitive noises.

PMDD

PMDD is Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder, and refers to a severe, disabling form of PMS.

Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition that affects the way an individual’s brain processes and responds to sensory information from their environment.

Specific Learning Difficulties

Having a learning difficulty means a person has a harder time learning and acquiring skills. Learning difficulties are not related to levels of intelligence, the related conditions are neurological.

Stimming

Stimming (also known as self-stimulating) is a common sensory-seeking neurodivergent behaviour. It means stimulating yourself in a repetitive manner to self-soothe, regulate, or express excitement. Stimming is common both in ADHD and autism.
Stimming movements, however, are common in all human beings. Everybody stims, whether it’s chewing the end of a pencil while you think, swaying back and forth to the rhythm of the music while you’re standing in line, or swinging your legs when they can’t touch the ground.


Attention and Focus related terms

Executive dysfunction

Executive functions are essential, they help us make plans, stay organized, pay attention, and keep our emotions in check. It plays a big role in making decisions and adapting to new situations.

Executive dysfunction can happen when these processes have some impairment.

Read moreExecutive dysfunction

Hyperfocus

Hyperfocus is a cognitive state characterized by an intense concentration and absorption in a particular task or activity to the point of excluding or neglecting other stimuli or responsibilities.

Read moreHyperfocus

Emotional dysregulation

Emotional dysregulation refers to difficulty in effectively managing and controlling one’s emotions. It is characterized by intense, unpredictable, or seemingly disproportionate emotional responses that may be challenging to regulate or modulate.

When someone has difficulty regulating their emotions, they are easily overstimulated and they can get upset or overwhelmed easily. On the other hand, they can also have trouble with calming down, relaxing, or decompressing and it takes much effort to regulate their mood.

Emotional dysregulation can also lead to sleep difficulties. Creating helpful routines, focusing on self-compassion, and giving yourself space for unmasking and stimming can help with this process.

Hyperactivity

Hyperactive Type is one of the ADHD subtypes. Hyperactivity can present in physical and mental symptoms. Hyperactive traits include fidgeting and other sensory-seeking behaviours, interrupting others when they talk or finishing their sentences for them, impulsive actions and thrill-seeking behaviour (with a reduced sense of danger), having many ideas and blurting them out.

Hyperfixation

Hyperfixation is a term often used in the context of neurodivergent individuals, particularly Autistics and ADHDers. It refers to an intense and prolonged focus on a particular subject, topic, or activity, often at the price of excluding everything else.

Inattentive

Inattentive is one of the ADHD subtypes, also known as the distracted type. Inattentive traits include daydreaming, forgetfulness (not remembering the question while answering, forgetting things at home, following instructions with multiple sub-tasks), and difficulty focusing on a task that’s not engaging enough.

Time blindness

Time blindness is when it’s tough to grasp the passing of time. It usually means you under- or overestimate the time a project will take. It makes it tricky to manage schedules, deadlines, and planning. It can lead to procrastination, forgetfulness, and feeling overwhelmed or rushed.

Working memory

Working memory is one of the executive functions. It is our mental scratchpad, where we temporarily hold and play with info to help with tasks like problem-solving and learning. It’s key for everyday stuff but has limited space, so juggling too much can be tough, especially for people with ADHD, who have an even more …


Sensory terms

Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition that affects the way an individual’s brain processes and responds to sensory information from their environment.

Read moreSensory Processing Disorder

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity, also known as sensory over-responsivity, is a condition characterized by an extreme sensitivity or heightened response to sensory stimuli from the environment. Individuals with hypersensitivity may have a seemingly exaggerated reaction to various sensory inputs, such as sound, touch, taste, smell, or visual stimuli. These sensitivities can result in discomfort, distress, or even pain, …

Read moreHypersensitivity

Hyposensitivity

Hyposensitivity, also known as sensory underresponsivity, is a condition characterized by a reduced sensitivity or diminished response to sensory stimuli from the environment.

Individuals with hyposensitivity may have difficulty with detecting or processing sensory inputs, such as sound, touch, taste, smell, or visual stimuli. They may require more intense or prolonged sensory stimulation to register and respond to the sensation.

Sensory avoiding

Sensory avoiding, also known as sensory under responsivity, refers to a pattern of behaviour where individuals actively try to avoid or minimize exposure to sensory stimuli. These individuals may have a heightened sensitivity to sensory input and may find certain sensations overwhelming or discomforting. As a result, they may engage in behaviours such as avoiding …

Sensory meltdown

A feeling of immense distress, a sensory meltdown is a strong reaction to overwhelm caused by too much information, noise, sights or sounds, smells or touch.

Sensory-seeking

Sensory-seeking refers to a behavioural pattern or tendency in individuals where they actively seek out and engage in sensory experiences or stimuli. Individuals may have a heightened desire for sensory input and actively seek activities or environments that provide intense or stimulating sensations.

Stimulus

A stimulus (plural: stimuli) refers to any physical or sensory input from the environment that elicits a response or reaction from someone. It can be any sensory information, such as sound, light, touch, taste, or smell, that triggers a biological or behavioural response. Stimuli can range from simple to complex and can have varying degrees …


Neuropsychology terms

Masking

Masking is a partly unconscious effort to hide or suppress the manifestations of your neurodivergence. It is an exhausting process that many of us do to “fit in” more. Many people start to mask to avoid abuse, discrimination, bullying, harm and ableism.

Read moreMasking

Autistic burnout

Autistic burnout refers to a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion experienced by autistic people. It is a result of prolonged exposure to overwhelming sensory, social, and cognitive demands, often in an environment that does not accommodate their needs.

Decision fatigue

Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decision-making after a long period of decision-making activity. It means you feel mentally exhausted from making too many choices.

Rumination

Ruminations are thought loops that you seemingly can’t get out of. Examples: thinking about what you should’ve said 5 years ago, feeling anxious if they misunderstood you, or worrying about whether you should’ve behaved differently, did they judge you, whether you were in the wrong, etc. Can be present in both OCD or ADHD.


Neurology and biology

Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in many different functions, including movement, motivation, reward, and pleasure. It is one of the most important neurotransmitters you have to get to know if you want to understand ADHD better.

Read moreDopamine

Dopamine pathway

A brain network where dopamine travels, affecting motivation and reward.

Interoception

Interoception is the ability to notice and identify feelings inside one’s body, like thirst or hunger. It also includes the ability to notice and regulate temperature changes or notice pain.

Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help brain cells “talk” to each other, controlling thoughts and feelings. Dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine are all neurotransmitters.

Norepinephrine

Also known as noradrenaline – a neurotransmitter involved in alertness, attention, and response to stress.

Serotonin

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite, keeping us balanced.


Diagnosis and medication

Co-occurrence

Co-occurrent conditions, also known as co-morbidities are overlapping conditions that often come hand-in-hand with one another.

Read moreCo-occurrence

Diagnostic criteria

Diagnostic criteria are prerequisites for a diagnosis: in the case of neurodivergence, they are the presentations and traits an assessor is looking for when diagnosing a person with a neurodivergent condition.

High-masking

High-masking refers to a person who is able to mask so efficiently that they ‘pass’ as neurotypical. High-masking is often one of the reasons women go undiagnosed – unfortunately, many assessors completely ignore masking and dismiss the experience of the individual.

SSRIs

SSRIs are a type of antidepressant, the name stands for Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. They are often successfully used to treat OCD, PMDD, anxiety, PTSD and depression.

Titration

Titration is when together with your medical professional you trial different types of medications and the doctor then adjusts the dose based on your experience.


Society and social attitudes

Neuroaffirming

Neuroaffirming refers to practices, approaches, or environments that recognize and affirm the neurodiversity of individuals.

Read moreNeuroaffirming

Ableism

Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with physical or mental disabilities. In an ableist society, it’s assumed that the “normal” way to live is as a non-disabled person and that every disabled person needs to or wants to “get rid of” their condition.

Curb-cut effect

The curb-cut effect refers to the phenomenon that policies initially created to serve a marginalized group end up serving a much more significant portion of society, benefiting even more people than it was originally designed for.

Unmasking

Unmasking is when you slowly learn to allow your neurodivergence to present itself and you don’t try to hide yourself. However, to unmask is a privilege, as you need a safe space to do it.


Alphabetical Search

  • Ableism
  • Neurodivergent adaptations
  • ADHD
  • Alexithymia
  • Allistic
  • AuDHD
  • Autism
  • Autistic burnout
  • Autistic speech patterns
  • Body doubling
  • Co-occurrence
  • Curb-cut effect
  • Decision fatigue
  • Diagnostic criteria
  • Dopamine
  • Dopamine pathway
  • Dyscalculia
  • Dysgraphia
  • Dyslexia
  • Dyspraxia
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Executive dysfunction
  • High-masking
  • Hyperactivity
  • Hyperfixation
  • Hyperfocus
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Hyposensitivity
  • Inattentive
  • Interoception
  • Masking
  • Misophonia
  • Neuroaffirming
  • Neurodivergence
  • Neurodiversity
  • Neurospicy
  • Neurotransmitter
  • Neurotypical
  • Norepinephrine
  • PMDD
  • Rumination
  • Sensory avoiding
  • Sensory meltdown
  • Sensory Processing Disorder
  • Sensory-seeking
  • Serotonin
  • Specific Learning Difficulties
  • Spiritual bypassing
  • SSRIs
  • Stimming
  • Stimulus
  • Time blindness
  • Titration
  • Unmasking
  • Working memory

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