Glossary of Autistic Terms
Not sure what to search for?
On the CFHD website, we use respectful, affirming language to describe autistic experiences. We understand many people are more familiar with other terms so here’s how you can find what you’re looking for:
| If you are looking for… | We talk about it as… |
| Has autism/person with autism/suffers from autism | Autistic person |
| Autism spectrum disorder | Autism autism spectrum condition |
| Deficit/disorder/symptom | Differences Characteristics Traits |
| Refusing to communicate/ Won’t talk/Silent in school or certain environments | Situational mutism Autistic shutdown Temporarily non-speaking |
| Dramatic/easily upset | Sensitive Expressive |
| Literal or using literal language/difficulty understanding jokes | Concrete thinker Direct communicator |
| Lacking empathy | Processing differences |
| Problematic behaviour/acting out/challenging behaviour/aggression/meltdown/tantrum/emotional outburst | Behaviours of distress Behaviours of concern |
| Abnormal | Neurodivergent |
| Normal | Neurotypical |
| Repetitive movements | Stimming Self-soothing Self-regulatory movements |
| Hyperactive/restless | Sensory-seeking Energetic Active |
| Treatment | Support Adaptations |
| Copying others’ words/repetitive language | Echolalia |
| Oppositional/Defiant/Controlling Behaviour/Manipulative/refusing or ignoring requests/following own agenda | Autonomy seeking / Self-directed |
| Hiding autism/copying others | Masking Camouflaging |
| Rigid/insisting on routines/preventing changes | Need for predictability Finds comfort in routine and structure |
| Sensory disorder/sensory problems | Sensory differences |
| Rude/Awkward/Anti-social/socially inappropriate behaviour/reduced or lack of understanding of social rules | Social communication differences |
| Interrupting | Speaking spontaneously Shares ideas immediately |
| Attention seeking | Communicating need Seeking connection |
| Fixated interest/too into it | Special interest |
| Weird habits e.g. flapping | Stimming Sensory-seeking Self-soothing |
| Not paying attention/behind | Processing difficulties Processing differences |
| Over-emotional/dramatic/moody | Emotional regulation difficulties |
| Lazy, disorganised, doesn’t try | Executive functioning difficulties |