Glossary

A theory of learning that focuses on observable behaviours and environmental stimuli, serving as the basis of ABA ‘therapy;’ it is a dehumanising approach that measures neurodivergent people against a theoretical ‘normal’ (i.e., neurotypical) standard. It does not allow for the validity of the internal, lived experience of neurodivergent people.

The extent to which we feel personally accepted, respected, included, & supported by others without having had to fight for it; the experience of being at home in ourselves as well as in the places around us.

First conceptualised by George Engel in 1977, this model suggests that understanding a person’s medical condition involved not just biological factors, but also the psychological and social factors. The term is built from:
Bio (physiological pathology); Psycho (thoughts emotions and behaviours such as psychological distress, fear/avoidance beliefs, current coping methods, and attribution); Social (socio-economical, socio-environmental, and cultural factors such as work issues, family circumstances, and benefits/economics).

This combines the underlying principles of BPS with the principles of the Neurodiversity Paradigm to assert that understanding and supporting neurodivergent people requires adjusting the fit between the individual and their environment (because neurotypical environments are further disabling to neurodivergent people) rather than finding treatment for a “disorder.” In short, it moves the blame from being centred in the neurodivergent individual to placing it correctly within the systems around the person.

A productivity strategy designed to help us stay focused on what we’re trying to do; a “body double” (n.) is a person – or even pet – who is present to provide physical support through task completion.

A physical, emotional, and mental state of exhaustion created by constant pressure (implicit and explicit) to mask neurodivergent traits, meet neurotypical expectations, and adapt to neurotypical environments. Symptoms include chronic exhaustion, decreased capacity, more frequent meltdowns/shutdowns, sensory hypersensitivity, difficulty managing basic daily tasks, and profound feeling of isolation and disconnection. It is often misdiagnosed as depression.