Glossary

[Selene310187]

A brief overview about each listed specific neurodivergent condition* and some other terms you may come across in the forums. For simplicity, I took snippets from Wikipedia articles for the most part and put a link to the whole article below each snippet for further reading.

* Autism, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Social Anxiety, High Sensitivity, OCD

I know that Social Anxiety doesn't belong to neurodiversity per se but it can occur alongside many neurodivergent conditions having similar symptoms.

ADD
(Attention Deficit Disorder Without Hyperactivity)
It's an old term for the "ADHD, predominantly inattentive type" classification of ADHD and still widely used in the internet.


ADHD
(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by excessive amounts of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and otherwise age-inappropriate.

Classification:

1. ADHD, predominantly inattentive type, presents with symptoms including being easily distracted, forgetful, daydreaming, disorganization, poor concentration, and difficulty completing tasks.
2. ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, presents with excessive fidgeting and restlessness, hyperactivity, and difficulty waiting and remaining seated.
3. ADHD, combined type, is a combination of the first two presentations.

Further reading



Autism

The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and the presence of repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Other common symptoms include unusual responses to sensory stimuli, and an insistence on sameness or strict adherence to routine.

Autism is understood by most psychiatric bodies to be a spectrum disorder, which means that it can manifest differently in each person: any given autistic individual is likely to show some, but not all, of the characteristics associated with it, and the person may exhibit them to varying degrees and frequencies. A large variation in the level of support people require exists: some autistic people are nonspeaking, while others have relatively unimpaired spoken language.

Further reading



High Sensitivity

Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP, is a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron. According to Aron’s theory, HSPs are a subset of the population who are high in a personality trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity, or SPS. Those with high levels of SPS display increased emotional sensitivity, stronger reactivity to both external and internal stimuli—pain, hunger, light, and noise—and a complex inner life.

Source: Psychology Today



Neurodivergent, neurodiverse and neurodiversity

People with various neurological differences identify as neurodiverse like individuals with ADHD or dyslexia. On the other hand, people on the autistic spectrum are originally referred to as neurodivergent. Nowadays, this self-identifying label "has been used to describe those who think, behave, and learn differently to what is typical in society".

Source: UofG PGR Blog (University of Glasgow Postgraduate Blog)



OCD
(Obsessive–compulsive disorder)

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental and behavioral disorder in which an individual has intrusive thoughts and/or feels the need to perform certain routines repeatedly to the extent where it induces distress or impairs general function. As indicated by the disorder's name, the primary symptoms of OCD are obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are persistent unwanted thoughts, mental images, or urges that generate feelings of anxiety, disgust, or discomfort.

Further reading



SCT
(Sluggish cognitive tempo)

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a syndrome related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but distinct from it. Typical symptoms include prominent dreaminess, mental fogginess, hypoactivity, sluggishness, staring frequently, inconsistent alertness and a slow working speed.

Further reading



Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by sentiments of fear and anxiety in social situations, causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some aspects of daily life. These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny from others. Individuals with social anxiety disorder fear negative evaluations from other people.

Further reading