autistic
Neurologically wired differently
Autistic describes someone with autism, a neurological condition affecting social interaction, communication, and sensory processing.
The condition exists on a spectrum—some autistic people need significant support while others live independently.
The word also appears as informal slang for obsessive focus or social awkwardness: I went full autistic on spreadsheets this weekend.
This casual use is controversial.
Involuntary repetition of speech
- scriptingWriting executable commands
- AACSound compression format
- nonverbalNot using speech
- selective mutismAnxiety disorder preventing speech
literal interpretation · prosody · pragmatics · infodumping · stimming · body language · eye contact · social cues
Brain interpreting incoming stimuli
- overstimulationExcessive sensory input
- hypersensitivityExaggerated response to stimuli
- hyposensitivityDecreased reaction to stimuli
- sensory overloadExcessive simultaneous stimulation
meltdown · shutdown · stimming · fluorescent lights · weighted blanket · earmuffs · quiet space · proprioception
Identification of illness
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- DSMPsychiatric classification manual
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
neurodevelopmental · pediatric · psychiatry · psychology · early intervention · screening · evaluation · criteria
Having atypical brain function
- neurotypicalStandard cognitive wiring
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- self-advocacyPromoting one's own interests
community · rights · inclusion · accommodation · disclosure · masking · unmasking · burnout
Identifying regularities in inputs
- executive functionCognitive self-management abilities
- theory of mindAttributing mental states to others
- information processingHandling and interpreting data
- systemizingCreating orderly structures
literal thinking · visual thinking · memory · categorization · prediction · abstraction · special interests · hyperlexia
Learning one's true character
- self-acceptanceApproval of oneself
- special interestsGroups seeking policy influence
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- unmaskingRevealing what's hidden
community · lived experience · peer support · representation · visibility · pride · belonging
echolalia
Involuntary repetition of speech
selective mutism · literal interpretation · prosody · pragmatics · infodumping · stimming · body language · eye contact · social cues · expressive
sensory processing
Brain interpreting incoming stimuli
- overstimulationExcessive sensory input
- hypersensitivityExaggerated response to stimuli
- hyposensitivityDecreased reaction to stimuli
sensory overload · meltdown · shutdown · stimming · fluorescent lights · weighted blanket · earmuffs · quiet space · proprioception · vestibular
diagnosis
Identification of illness
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- DSMPsychiatric classification manual
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
developmental · neurodevelopmental · pediatric · psychiatry · psychology · early intervention · screening · evaluation · criteria · comorbidity
neurodivergent
Having atypical brain function
- neurotypicalStandard cognitive wiring
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- advocacyPleading for a cause
self-advocacy · community · rights · inclusion · accommodation · disclosure · masking · unmasking · burnout · spoon theory
pattern recognition
Identifying regularities in inputs
- executive functionCognitive self-management abilities
- theory of mindAttributing mental states to others
- information processingHandling and interpreting data
systemizing · literal thinking · visual thinking · memory · categorization · prediction · abstraction · special interests · hyperlexia · mental processing
self-discovery
Learning one's true character
- self-acceptanceApproval of oneself
- special interestsGroups seeking policy influence
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
unmasking · community · lived experience · peer support · representation · visibility · pride · belonging
- neurotypesneurotypical, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic
- Vulnerable Groupshomeless youth, orphans, refugees, disabled people, elderly poor
- mental statesknowledge, conscious, mood, anxious, memory
- personality typespersonality type, extrovert, MBTI, introversion, pessimist
autisticextroverted
Energized by social interaction
gregarious · charismatic · empathic · well
- autistic spectrumNeurodevelopmental diagnosis range
- autistic personSomeone neurologically atypical
- autistic burnoutExhaustion from sustained masking