GLOSSARY OF TERMS
autism - A neurological childhood disorder that can cause difficulties in communication and social interaction, preoccupation with fantasy, language impairment, and abnormal behavior. Go Back to Start Page
ADD - Stands for Attention Deficit Disorder. A syndrome characterized by a persistent pattern of impulsiveness and a short attention span that interferes with social, academic, and job performance. Go Back to Resource Page
ADHD - Stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Attention deficit disorder where hyperactivity is also present. Go Back to Resource Page
Asperger syndrome - A neurological disorder that is usually noted during early years. Characterized by impairments in social interaction and repetitive behavior patterns. Go Back to Resource Page
chelation - The process of removing a heavy metal from the bloodstream as in treating lead or mercury poisoning. Go Back to My Son's Page
gluten-free - Indicates a food that does not contain gluten, which is thought to increase the symptoms of autism. Gluten free foods will not contain wheat, oats, rye, or barley.
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HFA - High Functioning Autism. Often used to describe children who are classified as autistic, but are able to communicate and do not have severe social impairments. Go Back to Resource Page
interventions - Types of traditional or non-traditional treatments that may be effective in reducing autistic behaviors.Go Back to Start Page
PDD - Pervasive Developmental Disorder - A disorder of communication, speech, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Autism is a kind of PDD. Go Back to Resource Page
PDD-NOS - Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified - This is the diagnostic heading under which Autism, Childhood Disintegrations Disorder, Aspergers, and Retts Syndrome can be found. If there are symptoms that are present that are Autistic in nature, that is, communication and social dificiencies or ritualistic behaviors, and yet, there are not enough symptoms to fulfill the criteria necessary for a full diagnosis in one of the above classifications. In this case, the diagnosis would be "not otherwise specified" of PDD-NOS. Go Back to Resource Page
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This site is maintained by Tina Marascia
This site was last updated November 29, 2004.