Glossary of terms: A

Aetiology

NAAR glossary

Study of the causes or origins of a disease or disorder.

Affective disorders

ICD10

Disorders in which the fundamental disturbance is a change in affect or mood to depression (with or without associated anxiety) or to elation.

Angelman syndrome

CaF directory of specific conditions and rare syndromes

Chromosomal disorder characterised by microencephaly, feeding and sleep problems, developmental delay, lack of speech and jerky movements.

Applied behaviour analysis

Encyclopedia of special education; 2nd ed

An approach for changing behaviour that involves the systematic application of a set of principles derived from psychological theories of learning.

Asperger syndrome

NAS

An autism spectrum disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to others. A number of traits of autism are common to Asperger syndrome including:

• difficulty in communicating
• difficulty in social relationships
• a lack of imagination and creative play.

However, people with Asperger syndrome usually have fewer problems with language than those with autism, often speaking fluently though their words can sometimes sound formal or stilted. People with Asperger syndrome also do not have the accompanying learning disabilities often associated with autism; in fact, people with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence.

Assessment

Dictionary of mental handicap, M Lindsey

A systematic and thorough evaluation of the strengths, weaknesses and problems of a person.

Assistive technology

Encyclopedia of special education; 2nd ed

A wide range of highly specialised mechanical, electronic and computer-based tools commonly used in rehabilitation and special education settings.

Attention

Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders,
DJ Cohen and FR Volkmar eds; 2nd ed

The ability to concentrate or attend.

Attention deficit disorder

Thesaurus of psychological index terms

Deficit in the ability to sustain attention.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Children with autism, Trevarthen et al

A developmental disorder of early childhood causing problems with attention, activity levels and impulsivity.

Auditory training

NAS

Use of a special device to exercise the whole hearing apparatus - the ear drum, the small bones in the ear, the cochlear membrane, etc, as a form of physical therapy.

Autism

NAS

A lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism are unable to relate to others in a meaningful way. Their ability to
develop friendships is impaired, as is their capacity to understand other people's feelings. All people with autism have impairments in social interactions, social communication and imagination. This is referred to as the triad of impairments.

Autism spectrum disorders

An autism spectrum disorder is a complex lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. The autism spectrum includes syndromes described by Kanner and Wing but is wider than these two subgroups. Many people have a mixture of features from these two syndromes but do not fit neatly into either. The whole spectrum is defined by the presence of impairments affecting social interaction, communication and imagination, known as the triad of impairments. This is always accompanied by a narrow repetitive range of
activities.

Autoimmune diseases

Black's medical dictionary, G Macpherson ed; 38th ed

A collection of conditions in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, identifying them as foreign substances. Genetic factors may play a part in this abnormal function, but the causes are not clear.

Autoimmunity

Black's medical dictionary, G Macpherson ed; 38th ed

A reaction to an individual's own tissues to which tolerance has been lost. Autoantibodies are not necessarily harmful and are commonly encountered in healthy persons.

Related resources

• Education jargon (England and Wales)
  
• Education jargon (Scotland)
  

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