Glossary

ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a condition in children who have three main kinds of problems, overactive behaviour (hyperactivity), impulsive behaviour, and difficulty in paying attention.

ADI is an acronym for the the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) is a clinical diagnostic instrument for assessing autism in children and adults.

ADOS is an acronym for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, a diagnostic tool designed to assess behaviours related to autism spectrum disorders.

Adrenergic agonists are a type of drug used to treat a range of conditions including high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart disease.

Adrenergic antagonists are a class of drug used to treat a range of conditions including hypertension, angina, irregular heart beat, heart failure and heart attack.

Advancing Social-Communication and Play (ASAP) is an intervention designed help preschool children with autism learn and practice joint attention and play in a peer-led programme run in mainstream schools.

Advocacy means taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need.

An advocate is someone who helps other people to say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need.

AEDs is an acronym for antiepileptic drugs - which is another term for anticonvulsants - a group of drugs designed to prevent or reduce the severity of fits (convulsions) in various types of epilepsy.

Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines in order to improve an individual's fitness.

Aetiology is the science that deals with the causes or origin of disease, the factors which produce or predispose toward a certain disease or disorder

Affective Atunement is another term for holding therapy, an intervention which consists of forced holding by a therapist or parent until the child stops resisting or until a fixed time period has elapsed

Affective disorders (also known as mood disorders) are mental conditions (such as depression) characterised by dramatic changes or extremes of mood.

Ageing is the process of becoming older, a process that is genetically determined and environmentally modulated.

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult, or help wouldn't be available if things go wrong.

Aided language modelling is an intervention which consists of engaging the child in interactive play activities and providing models of use of augmentative and alternative communication symbols during play.

Aided language stimulation is the term used for interventions designed to teach language and communication skills using alternative and augmentative modelling.

AIT is an acronym for auditory integration training, an intervention in which a person with autism listens to a selection of music which has been modified.

AIT Plus is a form of therapy which combines AIT with light therapy and sound modulation.

Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that is important for maintaining salt and water balance in the body.