Glossary of terms: S

Savants

Autism: the facts, S Baron Cohen and P Bolton

Individuals with moderate or profound learning disabilities, who possess special talents, usually in the areas of music, mathematics, drawing or calendrical calculations.

Schizophrenia

CaF directory of specific conditions and rare syndromes

A serious mental illness which usually develops in the late teens or early twenties, where thoughts, feelings and actions are somewhat disconnected from each other. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, loss of energy and loss of interest in life.

Script fading

Teaching children with autism to initiate to peers: effects of a script fading procedure, Journal of applied behaviour analysis

This refers to a process by which children with communication disorders are taught how to initiate conversations or social interactions with peers. They are provided with a script about recently completed, current and future activities. At first children have the full script to use to help their initiation skills. Gradually the script is faded so that the children use unscripted initiations. The script-fading procedure enabled children with severe social and verbal deficits to practice context-specific, peer-directed generative language that was not prompted by adults or peer confederates.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

NAAR Glossary

A medication that blocks the 'reuptake' of serotonin back inside the cell that has released it into the synapse. This increases the amount of serotonin free and available in the synapse.

Self injurious behaviour

Physical interventions: a policy framework, J Harris et al

Self-directed violence including hitting the head with a clenched fist, banging the head against hard objects, skin picking and eye gouging.

Self stimulation

Dictionary of mental handicap, M Lindsey

Behaviours which are thought to be used to provide stimulation to the individual. These occur more commonly in people who have severe learning disabilities, especially if they have autistic traits or are understimulated.

See Stimming and Stereotypy

Semantics

OED

The science of language dealing with the meanings of words.

Serotonin

NAAR Glossary

A major neurotransmitter involved in depression and anxiety. A quarter to a third of people with autism show abnormally high levels of serotonin in the blood.

Smith Magenis syndrome

CaF directory of specific conditions and rare syndromes

A genetic disorder where common characteristics include some degree of self-injury, sleep disturbance, developmental delay, short stature, decreased sensitivity to pain, hyperactivity and destructive or aggressive behaviour.

Social behaviour

Encyclopedia of special education; 2nd ed

An individual's social abilities such as establishing and maintaining satisfactory interpersonal skills, displaying behaviour within reasonable social expectations and making personal adjustments.

Social cognition

Thesaurus of psychological index terms

Cognitive processes and activity that accompany and mediate social interactions.

Speech therapy

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

Professional assistance in diagnosing and treating a whole spectrum of acquired and developmental communication disorders.

SPELL

NAS

An educational approach to overcome or reduce the disabling effects of autism, creating an atmosphere which has Structure, Positive approaches and expectations, is Empathetic, Low arousal and maintains vital Links. It emphasises consistency of approach and the importance of mainstream opportunities and settings.

Statementing

Children with autism, Trevarthen et al

Preparation of a formal document that specifies any additional input or support required to best meet the learning needs of an individual child.

Stereotypy

Children with autism, Trevarthen et al (2nd edition)

Repetitive actions lacking curiosity and creativity. (Aka 'stereotypic behaviour'.)

See stimming

Stimming

Exkorn, K. S. (2005) The Autism Sourcebook. New York: Harper Collins. p.47

Stimming is a word commonly used by parents and professionals for the self-stimulatory behaviour shown by some people with autism. Such behaviour is also sometimes referred to as stereotypic behaviour or stereotypy. It can take different forms and involve the stimulation of different senses, for example staring at an object in motion or a light, rocking back and forth, vocalising or making repetitive noises, hand flapping or spinning round.

Sulphation

DP

Within the biochemical theory of autism there is concern over the very low levels of plasma sulphate in the bodies of individuals with autism. This seems to affect their ability to inactivate/remove neurotransmitter amines in the blood. Sulphation is a biochemical process which should maintain a healthy balance in the body.

Related resources

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

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