Neurodiversity Glossary
Definitions of key terms used in neurodiversity assessments and discussions. Plain language to help you get more out of your results. Learn how to interpret your assessment results
A
Aesthetic sensitivity
In HSP research, being deeply affected by beauty, art, or subtle details in your environment. You may have strong reactions to music, nature, or visual design.
Alexithymia
Difficulty identifying and describing your own emotions. Many autistic people experience this; it doesn't mean you don't feel emotions, but putting them into words can be hard.
Attention
The ability to focus on something while filtering out distractions. In ADHD, attention can be hard to sustain on non-preferred tasks but very strong when something is engaging (see Hyperfocus).
Autism spectrum
A way of describing the range of how autism shows up. It's not a line from 'a little' to 'very' autistic; it's the mix of strengths and challenges across areas like social communication, sensory experience, and thinking style.
Autistic burnout
Exhaustion, loss of skills, or overwhelm that can follow long periods of masking or pushing through demands. Often includes fatigue, sensitivity, and needing more recovery time.
C
Camouflaging
See Masking.
Cognitive load
The mental effort it takes to do a task. When too many things demand attention at once, cognitive load can feel overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent people.
D
Demand avoidance
Strong resistance or anxiety around demands or expectations, even ones you set for yourself. Common in autism and sometimes called PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) when it's a central pattern.
Double empathy problem
The idea that misunderstandings between autistic and non-autistic people go both ways: it's not that autistic people 'lack' empathy, but that both groups find it harder to read each other's communication style.
Dysregulation
When your nervous system or emotions feel out of balance—too revved up, shut down, or swinging between states. Common after overload or unmet sensory or emotional needs.
E
Ease of excitation
In HSP research, how quickly you become mentally or emotionally overloaded. High ease of excitation means you hit overwhelm faster when there's a lot going on.
Emotional regulation
The ability to notice, manage, and respond to emotions in a way that works for you. Many neurodivergent people find this harder when stressed or overloaded.
Executive function
Mental skills that help you plan, start tasks, switch focus, manage time, and hold information in mind. Often affected in ADHD and autism; 'lazy' or 'not trying' are not accurate.
H
Hyperfocus
Intense, sustained focus on something that deeply interests you. Common in ADHD; time and other demands can fade into the background during hyperfocus.
Hyperactivity
More movement or restlessness than typical—fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, or feeling driven to move. Can be physical or mental (a busy mind). One of the core dimensions in ADHD.
Hypersensitivity
Being more sensitive to sensory input (sounds, lights, textures, smells) or emotional stimuli. Can mean stronger reactions and quicker overwhelm, but also deeper appreciation when the environment fits.
I
Inattention
Difficulty sustaining focus, staying organized, or following through on tasks. One of the core dimensions in ADHD; not a character flaw.
Impulsivity
Acting or speaking without much pause, or finding it hard to wait. Part of the hyperactivity-impulsivity dimension in ADHD.
Interoception
Your sense of what's going on inside your body—hunger, thirst, pain, tiredness, emotions. Many autistic people have differences in interoception and may find it harder to notice these signals.
L
Low sensory threshold
In HSP research, being easily affected by sensory input—noise, light, texture, or other stimuli. You may notice and react to things others tune out.
M
Masking
Hiding or changing your natural ways of communicating, moving, or reacting to fit in or avoid negative reactions. Common among autistic people; it can be exhausting and contribute to burnout.
Melting down
An intense outburst when overloaded—often after too much sensory or emotional input. Different from a tantrum; it's a loss of control when the system is overwhelmed.
Monotropism
A tendency to focus attention on one or a few things at a time, rather than spreading it widely. Used by some to describe an autistic style of attention and interest.
N
Neurodivergent
A broad term for people whose brains work in ways that differ from the majority (neurotypical). Includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other developmental or cognitive differences.
Neurotypical
A term for people whose brain development and functioning is considered typical by society. Often used to contrast with neurodivergent.
O
Overwhelm
Feeling overloaded by too much input, demand, or emotion. Can lead to shutdown, meltdown, or needing to withdraw to recover.
P
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
A profile where avoiding demands is a central way of coping. Often used in the UK; demand avoidance can show up in autism and other profiles.
Processing speed
How quickly you take in and respond to information. Slower processing doesn't mean less intelligent; many need a bit more time to process, especially under pressure.
Proprioception
Your sense of where your body is in space and how it's moving. Differences here can affect coordination, balance, or how much you seek or avoid movement and pressure.
R
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)
Intense emotional pain or distress in response to real or perceived rejection or criticism. Common in ADHD; the reaction can feel out of proportion but is very real.
Restricted interests
Strong, focused interests that are important to you and may take up a lot of time and attention. A common autistic trait; they can be a source of joy and expertise.
Routine
Doing things in a predictable way or order. Many autistic people rely on routines to reduce anxiety and cognitive load; changes can be stressful.
S
Self-stimulation (stimming)
See Stimming.
Sensory overload
When you get more sensory input than you can process—noise, light, touch, or multiple at once. Can lead to shutdown, meltdown, or needing to leave.
Sensory processing
How your brain takes in and responds to sensory information (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, balance, body position). Neurodivergent people often have different patterns—more or less sensitive, or seeking certain inputs.
Sensory sensitivity
Being more affected by sensory input than others—sounds may be louder, lights brighter, textures more noticeable. Can be a strength (rich experience) and a challenge (overload).
Shutdown
Withdrawing or going quiet when overloaded. Unlike a meltdown, it often looks like going still or unresponsive; inside, the person may be unable to process or respond.
Social communication
How we use language and non-verbal cues to interact. Autistic people often communicate in ways that differ from neurotypical norms—more direct, different eye contact, or different rhythm—which can lead to misunderstandings on both sides.
Stimming
Self-stimulatory behavior: repetitive movements or sounds (rocking, hand-flapping, humming, etc.) that help regulate emotions or sensory experience. Common and healthy for many autistic people.
T
Task initiation
Getting started on a task. Often difficult in ADHD even when you want to do the thing; it's an executive function, not laziness.
W
Working memory
Holding and using information in mind for short periods—like keeping a instruction in head while doing it. Often affected in ADHD and autism.
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