Autism glossary for adults

Autism comes with a lot of vocabulary. Some of it is clinical, some was invented by autistic people to describe experiences clinicians had not named, and some has drifted into everyday speech with a looser meaning. These definitions are short on purpose. Where we have a full guide, the related links after each group take you there.

A note on language: SpectrumFox uses identity-first language ("autistic person") by default, which most autistic adults in UK survey research preferred. Some people prefer person-first language ("person with autism"), and we respect that.

A to C

Alexithymia

Difficulty noticing, naming and describing your own emotions. It is not part of the definition of autism, but research finds it is more common in autistic people.

Allistic

Not autistic. A community word for non-autistic people, narrower than neurotypical: a person with ADHD who is not autistic is allistic but not neurotypical.

Asperger's syndrome

A former diagnosis for autistic people without early language delay or intellectual disability. Removed from DSM-5 in 2013 and from ICD-11, it is now part of autism spectrum disorder. Some people still identify with it.

AuDHD

An informal community word for being both autistic and ADHD. The two often co-occur and can mask or amplify each other.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

The clinical diagnostic name used in the DSM-5-TR and in ICD-11 (code 6A02). It covers differences in social communication plus restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or sensory response.

Autism symbols

Images used to represent autism. Many autistic people favor the rainbow or gold infinity symbol over imagery from older campaigns that framed autism as a mystery to solve.

Autistic burnout

Long-lasting exhaustion, loss of previously manageable skills and lower tolerance for sensory input, described by autistic adults as the result of demands outweighing resources over time.

Autistic inertia

A community term for difficulty starting, stopping or switching activities, even ones you want to do. It overlaps with executive function differences.

Camouflaging

Strategies used to hide or compensate for autistic traits in social situations, such as copying others, forcing eye contact or preparing scripts. Often used interchangeably with masking.

Co-occurring condition

A condition that exists alongside autism, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, dyspraxia or intellectual disability.

• Alexithymia and AutismWhat alexithymia means, its common signs, why it is linked with autism, what research shows about how common it is, and practical ways to read emotions.
• AllisticWhat allistic means, how it differs from neurotypical and non-autistic, where the term comes from, examples, and why some people prefer other words.
• Asperger's syndrome: what it meant and where the term wentWhat Asperger's syndrome meant, the traits it described in adults, why it was folded into autism in 2013, the Hans Asperger history, and who still uses it.
• AuDHD: being autistic and having ADHDAuDHD means being autistic and having ADHD. How the two interact in adults, common signs of the mix, what research says, and how to seek an assessment.
• What is autism?What is autism? A plain guide to autism spectrum disorder in adults: core features, how it is classified, what the spectrum means, and what autism is not.
• Autistic burnout: signs and causesAutistic burnout means long-lasting exhaustion, skill loss and lower sensory tolerance. Signs, causes, how it differs from depression, when to get help.

D to H

Demand avoidance (PDA)

Pathological demand avoidance, which some prefer to call a persistent drive for autonomy, describes a profile of strong, anxiety-driven avoidance of everyday demands. It is not a separate diagnosis in DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.

Double empathy problem

The idea, proposed by autistic researcher Damian Milton in 2012, that misunderstanding between autistic and non-autistic people runs in both directions, rather than being a deficit only in the autistic person.

Echolalia

Repeating words or phrases heard elsewhere, either straight away or later (delayed echolalia). It can be a way to communicate, process or self-soothe.

Echopraxia

Automatically copying the movements or gestures of other people.

Executive function

The set of mental skills used for planning, starting tasks, organizing, holding information in mind and switching between activities. Differences are common in autism and ADHD.

Hyperfixation

An intense, absorbing focus on a topic or activity, often for a limited period. The word is widely used in ADHD communities.

Hyperfocus

A state of deep, sustained concentration in which time, hunger and surroundings fade into the background.

Hypersensitivity

Responding more strongly than most people to sensory input, such as finding a ticking clock or a scratchy label unbearable.

Hyposensitivity

Responding less strongly than most people to sensory input, such as not noticing cold, pain or hunger until it is intense.

• PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) in AdultsPDA in adults explained neutrally: what the proposed profile means, how it is discussed in the UK, why it is debated, and practical ways to manage demands.
• The double empathy problemThe double empathy problem explained: what Damian Milton proposed, the studies behind it, everyday examples for autistic adults, and the main criticisms.
• Hyperfixation and AutismWhat hyperfixation means, how it shows up in autistic adults, examples from daily life, how it differs from special interests, and how to keep it healthy.
• Sensory processing differences in autismSensory processing differences explained for adults: over- and under-responsivity across eight senses, how they relate to autism and SPD, and what helps.

I to M

Identity-first language

Putting the identity first, as in "autistic person". The alternative, person-first language, says "person with autism".

Info dumping

Sharing a large amount of detailed information about an interest in one go. Many autistic people experience it as a way of connecting, and appreciate a listener who asks follow-up questions.

Interoception

The sense of what is happening inside your body, such as hunger, thirst, heartbeat, temperature or needing the bathroom. Autistic people often report differences in it.

Late diagnosis

Being identified as autistic in adulthood rather than childhood, often after years of masking or other diagnoses.

Literal thinking

Interpreting words by their exact meaning, which can make idioms, sarcasm and vague instructions harder to read.

Masking

Suppressing or hiding autistic traits to fit in or stay safe. It can work in the moment and be very tiring over time.

Meltdown

An involuntary loss of control when overwhelm becomes too much, which may involve shouting, crying or physical reactions. It is not a tantrum and is not done on purpose.

Monotropism

A theory, proposed by Dinah Murray and colleagues in 2005, that autistic attention tends to be concentrated on a few interests at a time rather than spread across many.

• Late diagnosed autismLate diagnosed autism explained: why adults are missed, signs people recognize in hindsight, the link with burnout, and what changes after diagnosis.
• Autistic masking: what it is and what it costsAutistic masking means hiding or compensating for autistic traits to fit in. See real adult examples, why people mask, what it costs, and how to mask less.
• Autistic meltdowns in adultsWhat autistic meltdowns in adults look and feel like, common triggers, how they differ in women, what helps in the moment, and how to have fewer over time.
• Monotropism: A Theory of Autistic AttentionMonotropism explained: the autistic-led theory that attention flows into a few deep channels, how it differs from polytropism, and daily life.

N to P

Neurodivergent

Describes a person whose brain works differently from the dominant norm, for example an autistic, ADHD or dyslexic person. An identity word, not a diagnosis.

Neurodiverse

Describes a group that includes different neurotypes, such as a neurodiverse team. Often misused to mean neurodivergent.

Neurodiversity

The natural variation in human brains. The neurodiversity paradigm treats that variation as normal rather than as defect.

Neurotype

A broad category of brain wiring, such as autistic, ADHD or neurotypical.

Neurotypical

Describes a person whose brain functions in ways society treats as typical. Often shortened to NT.

Overstimulation

Taking in more sensory or social input than you can comfortably process. Sustained overstimulation can lead to sensory overload.

Palilalia

Repeating your own words or phrases, often the last word or phrase you said.

Polytropism

Attention spread across many interests at once. It is used as the contrast to monotropism.

Profound autism

A term proposed by the Lancet Commission in 2022 for autistic people who need access to a caregiver 24 hours a day, so their needs stay visible.

Proprioception

The sense of where your body is and how it is moving, from signals in muscles and joints. Differences can show up as clumsiness or a liking for deep pressure.

• What neurodivergent meansNeurodivergent meaning, explained plainly: where the word came from, who it includes, how it differs from neurodiverse, and how to use it respectfully.
• NeurotypicalWhat neurotypical means, where the word came from, how it differs from allistic and "normal", and how autistic and non-autistic people use it today.
• Is autism a disability?Is autism a disability? How US and UK law treat it, why it is not a mental illness, the medical and social models, and how autistic adults describe it.
• Sensory processing differences in autismSensory processing differences explained for adults: over- and under-responsivity across eight senses, how they relate to autism and SPD, and what helps.

R to S

Rejection sensitivity

Intense emotional pain in response to perceived rejection or criticism. Often discussed in ADHD; not a formal diagnosis.

Routines and sameness

A strong preference for predictable patterns, such as the same breakfast or route, which lowers the effort of everyday decisions.

Scripting

Using prepared or borrowed phrases in conversation, or rehearsing exchanges in advance, for example practicing a phone call before making it.

Selective mutism

An anxiety condition in which a person cannot speak in certain settings despite speaking in others. It can co-occur with autism.

Self-identification

Recognizing yourself as autistic without a formal diagnosis. Common in adults, especially where assessment is hard to access.

Sensory avoiding

Steering away from input that feels too intense: leaving loud rooms, wearing sunglasses indoors, choosing plain foods.

Sensory overload

The point where incoming sensory information becomes overwhelming and hard to process, sometimes leading to a meltdown or shutdown.

Sensory seeking

Actively looking for more of certain input, such as deep pressure, spinning, loud music or strong flavors.

Shutdown

A response to overwhelm in which a person withdraws, goes quiet or loses the ability to speak or move easily for a while.

Special interest

A deep, long-lasting, highly motivating interest. Many autistic people describe theirs as a major source of joy and calm.

Spoon theory

A metaphor, created by writer Christine Miserandino to describe life with lupus, in which daily energy is a limited number of spoons. Many autistic and disabled people use it.

Stimming

Repetitive movements, sounds or actions, such as rocking, hand flapping or humming, used to regulate, focus or express emotion.

Support needs

The kind and amount of help a person needs in daily life. DSM-5-TR describes three support levels for autism, set separately for two areas.

• Rejection Sensitivity and AutismWhy many autistic adults feel rejection so intensely, what "rejection sensitive dysphoria" means, how it links to ADHD and masking, and ways to cope.
• Autism, Routines and Change in AdultsWhy routines matter to many autistic adults, what routine disruption feels like, when rigidity needs support, and practical ways to handle change.
• Self-diagnosed autism: what it means, and when it is enoughWhat self-diagnosed autism means, why many adults self-identify, how the autistic community sees it, its limits, and when a formal diagnosis matters.
• Sensory overload in autistic adultsSensory overload in autistic adults: what overstimulation feels like, common triggers and symptoms, quick relief in the moment, and ways to prevent it.
• Autistic shutdowns in adultsAn autistic shutdown is a quiet, inward response to overload: going still, losing speech, withdrawing. Adult symptoms, triggers, and what helps right away.
• Autistic special interestsAutistic special interests are intense, joyful, lasting passions. What they are, adult examples, why they matter for wellbeing, and how they look in women.
• Stimming in adults: what it is and why it helpsStimming means repetitive movements, sounds or actions that help regulate feelings and senses. Adult examples, why people stim, and when to get support.
• Autism levels 1, 2 and 3 explainedAutism levels 1, 2 and 3 explained: what DSM-5 support levels describe, how clinicians assign them, why they are criticized, and why no quiz gives one.

T to Z

Theory of mind

The ability to infer what other people think, know or believe. Older theories proposed a specific autistic deficit; the double empathy problem argues the difficulty is mutual between neurotypes.

Unmasking

Gradually reducing masking, usually starting in safe settings, to lower the energy cost of everyday life.

Vestibular sense

The sense of balance and head movement, based in the inner ear. Some autistic people seek out swinging or spinning; others find motion uncomfortable.