autist
Neurodivergent person, informally
Autist is informal slang for a person with autism, used both as self-identification within autistic communities and as casual shorthand.
Online, particularly in gaming and investing forums, autist has taken on a second life as ironic praise for someone with intense focus, obsessive attention to detail, or savant-like expertise in a narrow domain: The autists on this subreddit figured out the company was hiding losses.
This usage can be affectionate among insiders but offensive in other contexts.
Concerning brain and nerve formation
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- high-functioningOperating effectively despite impairment
- savantPerson of profound learning
- DSMPsychiatric classification manual
assessment · screening · developmental · syndrome · condition · neurological · behavioral · communication
Intense prolonged single-task concentration
- detail-orientedFocused on small elements
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- absorptionProcess of taking in
intensity · perseverance · meticulousness · thoroughness · memory · categorization · fixation · engrossment
Not using speech
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- maskingConcealing by covering
- scriptingWriting executable commands
- body-languagePhysical signals conveying meaning
tone · pragmatics · small-talk · reciprocity · boundaries · friendship · misunderstanding · literal
Excessively reactive to stimuli
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- stimuliAgents evoking responses
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
- texturesSurface feel and appearance
lights · flavors · scents · touch · pain · threshold · overload · meltdown
Having atypical brain function
- neurotypicalStandard cognitive wiring
- neurodiverseCognitively atypical
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- advocacyPleading for a cause
identity · pride · self-advocacy · community · accommodation · disclosure · celebration · strengths-based
neurodevelopmental
Concerning brain and nerve formation
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- high-functioningOperating effectively despite impairment
- savantPerson of profound learning
DSM · assessment · screening · developmental · syndrome · condition · neurological · behavioral · communication · stimming
hyperfocus
Intense prolonged single-task concentration
- detail-orientedFocused on small elements
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
absorption · intensity · perseverance · meticulousness · thoroughness · memory · categorization · fixation · engrossment · analytical
nonverbal
Not using speech
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- maskingConcealing by covering
- scriptingWriting executable commands
body-language · tone · pragmatics · small-talk · reciprocity · boundaries · friendship · misunderstanding · literal · sarcasm
hypersensitive
Excessively reactive to stimuli
textures · lights · flavors · scents · touch · pain · threshold · overload · meltdown · shutdown
neurodivergent
Having atypical brain function
- neurotypicalStandard cognitive wiring
- neurodiverseCognitively atypical
- acceptanceConsent to receive
advocacy · identity · pride · self-advocacy · community · accommodation · disclosure · celebration · strengths-based · variation
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- ABALawyers' professional body
- IEPPersonalized learning accommodation document
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
inclusion · intervention · education · resources · advocacy · caregiver · burnout · respite · assistive · AAC
- autism supportAid for developmental differences
- autism spectrum disorderNeurodevelopmental condition affecting interaction
- autism spectrumRange of neurodevelopmental conditions
- autism awarenessMovement promoting neurodevelopmental understanding
- autistic spectrumNeurodevelopmental diagnosis range
- autistic personSomeone neurologically atypical