THE ABC'S

OF AUTISM
#ACTUALLYAUTISTIC
A hashtag used to differentiate
autistic content creators from
others who speak on our behalf.

ALEXITHYMIA
The inability to put words to emotions.

ALLISTIC
A term used to describe anyone
who does not identify as “autistic.”

ARFID
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is an eating difference
common to autistic individuals that involves avoiding and restricting
food intake due to upsetting texture, smell, appearance, etc.
One may have an appetite but feel unable to eat.

AUDHD
A term used within the
neurodivergent community to
describe the experience of living
with both autism and ADHD.

AUTISTIC INERTIA
The desire to remain in a constant state.
When we work hard we want to continue
working hard. When we rest we want to
continue resting. Helpful for understanding
difficulties with task switching/transitions.

BURNOUT
Prolonged, overwhelming exhaustion resulting from autistic
challenges like: sensory overwhelm, masking, lack of
accommodations/support. Some symptoms may include: fatigue,
loss of speech, increase in executive dysfunction, increased
problems with interoception/proprioception.

COKE BOTTLE EFFECT

The autistic experience of masking for a prolonged period of
time and then waiting for a safe space (usually home) to fully
process the effects of the day. This is represented by shaking
a coke bottle (masking) and then opening the lid (processing
and “letting go”).

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CPTSD
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a term used to
describe the effects of chronic trauma. Many autistics relate to
this term, likely from a lifetime of being misunderstood and a lack
of support. CPTSD can have symptoms that mirror autism which
can lead to misdiagnosis. (This term is not listed in the DSM).

DELAYED PROCESSING
The need for extra time, space, and energy to
integrate an experience and find ways to
communicate about said experience.

DEMAND AVOIDANCE
The practice of avoiding demands and expectations placed on
an individual. For many autistic individuals, demands create a
great deal of cognitive dissonance, frustration, and even
defiance.

DOUBLE EMPATHY
A term coined by Damian Milton to describe how people with
different backgrounds may have trouble understanding each
other. Both autistic and allistic individuals have differences that
can contribute to social disconnection and misunderstandings.

DYSPRAXIA
A neurodevelopmental condition
that affects motor skills and may
cause issues with fluidity of
movement.

ECHOLALIA
The repetition of sounds made by
another individual or object.

EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME
A group of connective tissue disorders with
symptoms such as hyper mobility of joints
and translucent skin that bruises easily.
EDS is relatively common within the autistic
community.

EMPATH
Feeling what other people feel in a visceral way.
Empathic qualities are often developed at the expense of the
self. Many empaths were taught from a young age to feel for
others before themselves and thus developed hypersensitivity
to others’ needs.

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EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION
Challenges with organization, planning, and
emotional regulation that happen within the
prefrontal cortex of the brain.
Also referred to as executive
functioning differences.

FAWNING
A trauma response in which one pretends that everything is fine,
usually to avoid mistreatment. Other trauma responses include
fight, flight, and freeze. Fawning can also be related to
people-pleasing, which is another common experience among
autistic individuals

HYPERFOCUS
The ability to spend a prolonged period of
time on one activity with intense
concentration.

INFODUMPING
Also called “oversharing,” infodumping is when an
individual shares a large portion of information in a
conversation, usually pertaining to a special interest.
This can make the conversation feel one-sided.

INTEROCEPTION
The process of identifying internal cues
within the body such as thirst, hunger,
and the need to urinate

INTERNALIZED ABLEISM
The subconscious practice of limiting or
ignoring needs because one can “survive”
without certain accommodations.

MASKING
The autistic practice of downplaying or concealing one’s
own experience to avoid making others uncomfortable.
Examples: suppressing stims, downplaying sensory
discomfort, making eye contact when you don’t want to,
feigning interest in a conversation

MELTDOWN
Nervous system dysregulation caused by sensory overwhelm,
social pressures, changes in routine, and/or other autistic
challenges. May result in: feelings of overwhelm, loss of
communication, intensified stimming, increased executive
dysfunction

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MISDIAGNOSIS
An ill-fitting or incorrect medical label. Autistic individuals are
often misdiagnosed with: Bipolar Disorder, BPD (Borderline
Personality Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, often a co-
occurring condition that misses the full picture).

NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION

The process of restoring balance to our nervous system through
practices such as: deep breathing, meditation, movement, and
mindfulness. Nervous system regulation is integral to managing
many autistic stressors.

NEUROLOGICAL DIFFERENCE
Autism is a neurological difference,
not a disorder.

NEURODIVERGENT
An individual who exemplifies an atypical
neurological profile.

PARADOXICAL EFFECTS
Some studies show that medications and
supplements can have a paradoxical
effect on autistic individuals, possibly due
to differences in serotonin levels.

PROPRIOCEPTION
The process of understanding how our body interacts with
the world around us. Trouble with proprioception can lead to
deficits in motor skills, using more force than is necessary
for everyday tasks, and clumsiness.

REJECTION SENSITIVE DYSPHORIA

A term used to describe elevated levels of discomfort,
frustration, and emotional dysregulation in the face of criticism
and/or feedback. This term is not included in the DSM. RSD
seems to be a common experience for many autistic individuals.

SELECTIVE/
SITUATIONAL MUTISM
The inability to speak in certain situations.

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SENSITIVE VS. RESPONSIVE
Many of us have been labeled "sensitive" in a negative way.
Try replacing the word “sensitive” with the word “responsive.”
The feedback our bodies give us is vital, and it is important not
to downplay our intuition.

SENSORY OVERWHELM/
OVERSTIMULATION
The result of too much information coming in
through your senses and not enough
time/space to process it.

SENSORY PROCESSING
Making sense of and responding to
information received via our senses.
Ex: If the sun is too bright, you may
decide to put on sunglasses.

SPECIAL INTERESTS
Autistic individuals tend to focus on certain interests in an
intense way. Many even become experts in their particular field
of study. Special interests are a huge talking point for autistic
individuals and often an important part of daily routines.

SPOON THEORY
A theory developed by Christine Miserandino to help
communicate what it is like living with a chronic illness and/or
disability. Understanding this theory can be very useful for
managing your emotional, mental, and physical resources.

STIMMING
Repetitive behaviors that help regulate
the nervous system and/or express
emotion.

UNEVEN PRODUCTIVITY
A term used to describe the autistic work
cycle that typically includes periods of
hyperfocus followed by an intense need
for rest.

UNMASKING
The practice of learning to trust one’s intuition
and make decisions based on one’s own needs
and desires. It involves further developing one’s
sense of self and becoming less concerned with
others’ expectations.

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This self-paced online course comes with:

🎯 6 Teaching Videos (70+ min of course material)

🎯 28 page Reflection Journal and Guidebook
🎯 8 min Unmasking Meditation
🎯 Mantras for Unmasking PDF
🎯 1 year of access to online MOTS Community
🎯 Transcript of each video lesson
🎯 Slideshow to support each video lesson
🎯 Taylor's list of supplemental resources and support
This course is for late-diagnosed autistic adults
(professionally or self diagnosed) who:

👉 Struggle to identify wants and needs

👉 Feel disconnected from who they truly are
👉 Need help managing everyday autistic stressors
👉 Want to feel validated, supported, and understood
What you will gain from the course:

🎁 A better understanding of what makes you "you"

🎁 Increased self-compassion and self-confidence
🎁 Tools for managing sensory overwhelm
🎁 Access to other powerful autism resources
🎁 24/7 connection to a private autistic community

CLICK FOR
MORE INFO

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 ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
THE ABC'S OF AUTISM: HELPFUL TERMS FOR AUTISTIC ADULTS
(THE VIDEO)

THE BIG AUTISTIC RESOURCE GUIDE

MELTDOWN SURVIVAL GUIDE

MOM ON THE SPECTRUM WEBSITE

EMERGENCY CARD FOR PEOPLE ON THE SPECTRUM

AUTISTIC BINGO

Further your research:

Mapping Emotions on the Body (for help with alexithymia, article)
Autism and Eating Disorders (ARFID, article)
ARFID (MOTS video)
Autism and ADHD in Women (MOTS video)
Autistic Inertia (website)
Autistic Burnout (article)
Depression vs. Autistic Burnout (MOTS video)
Coke Bottle Effect (Orion Kelly video)
At the Intersection of Autism and Trauma (article)
Embodiment and Autistic Trauma (MOTS video)
Pathological Demand Avoidance (website)
Double Empathy, Explained (article)
Empathy and Autistic Burnout (MOTS video)
Executive Functioning and the Autistic Brain (MOTS video)
Workplace Adjustments for Executive Dysfunction (PDF)
Autistic Meltdowns 101 (MOTS video)
Autistic Inertia and Nervous System Regulation (MOTS video)
What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria? (article)
Sensitive vs. Responsive (MOTS video)
Autistic Special Interest (MOTS video)
The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino (website)
Spoon Theory (MOTS video)
The Importance of Stimming (MOTS video)
Autism & Uneven Productivity (MOTS video)
How to Unmask: Cultivating Your True Autistic Self (online course)

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 DISCLAIMER
Taylor Heaton is not a medical professional. Mom on the Spectrum, LLC does not represent
any medical professionals nor therapists. All definitions listed in this PDF, "The ABC's of Autism"
were developed by Taylor Heaton and are not intended to be used as the end-all be-all
definition of the word. The definitions were drawn from her own personal experience. Many of
these terms were developed by others in the community. You can find information regarding
the origin of some of these terms under the "Further Your Research" section on page 7 of this
document. Please do your own research while learning how to integrate these terms into your
life. Do not make any medical decisions based on the information in this document.

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