Category: Glossary

  • Burnout

    Autistic burnout is a state of intense physical, emotional, and cognitive exhaustion that can occur after prolonged periods of masking, sensory overload, or navigating environments that are not designed for an individual’s needs.

    It can manifest as reduced speech, difficulties with executive function (such as struggling to initiate tasks, plan, or make decisions), increased sensory sensitivity, and a feeling of being shut down or disconnected from oneself. Burnout is not a personal failure; rather, it is a signal that your brain and body need rest, gentleness, and fewer demands. 

    A Brief History

    The term “autistic burnout” emerged from autistic communities sharing their lived experiences, particularly online, where individuals described a distinct, prolonged exhaustion that is different from everyday tiredness.

    Over time, advocates and researchers began to recognize patterns: chronic stress, cumulative masking, and life transitions (such as changes in school, work, or moving) often contribute to this state. The concept continues to evolve, driven by autistic voices that emphasize the need for practical support and the importance of self-determined pacing.

  • Stimming  

    Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, refers to repetitive actions that help regulate emotions, focus, and sensory input. Common stims include hand-flapping, rocking, tapping, humming, echolalia, or playing with textures. Stimming can express joy, manage overwhelm, or create a steady rhythm in a busy environment. It is a natural part of many autistic individuals’ lives and should not be stopped unless it poses a risk of harm.

    A Brief History

    Initially, stimming was a clinical term used to describe repetitive behaviors. Over time, autistic communities have reframed it as a neutral or positive aspect of life—something supportive rather than a problem to be fixed. Many advocates encourage acceptance of stimming and the creation of environments where individuals can stim safely and freely.

    Common stims include hand‑flapping, rocking, tapping, humming, echolalia, or playing with textures. Stimming can express joy, manage overwhelm, or create a steady rhythm in a busy environment. It’s a natural part of many autistic people’s lives and doesn’t need to be stopped unless it risks harm.

  • Meltdown

    A meltdown is an intense, involuntary response to overwhelming stress or sensory input. It is not a choice, tantrum, or form of bad behavior. During a meltdown, a person may cry, yell, pace, engage in repetitive behaviors (often called stimming), or temporarily struggle to process language.

    Meltdowns serve as the body’s emergency signal, and support during these times should involve reducing demands, lowering sensory input, and providing a calm, non-judgmental presence.

    A Brief History

    The term meltdown originated from the autistic community and caregivers who wanted to describe acute feelings of overwhelm, distinguishing them from tantrums. Advocacy and research have increasingly highlighted environmental causes – such as noise, bright lights, social pressure, changes in routine, and prolonged masking of behaviours – and the importance of supportive responses rather than punishment or shame.

  • Special Interest 

    A special interest is a deep, focused passion that many autistic people have for a subject, activity, or hobby. It often brings joy, comfort, and a sense of identity. Special interests can lead to expert knowledge, creativity, and even careers. They are not “obsessions” or “fixations” — they are meaningful and valuable parts of autistic life.

    A Brief History

    The idea of special interests has been described in autism research for decades, but often in negative or pathologising ways. Autistic advocates reframed the term to highlight its positive role: special interests are sources of happiness, resilience, and connection. Communities now celebrate them as part of autistic culture.

  • Gender Dysphoria

    Gender Dysphoria, as described by the NHS, refers to a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense that it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.

    Gender Dysphoria can be experienced as being clinically distressed or impaired, accompanied by a strong desire to be of another gender. It may include the desire to change primary or secondary sex characteristics. Though Gender Dysphoria typically begins in childhood, some may not experience the condition until after puberty or much later in life.

    Many people with Gender Dysphoria have a strong, lasting desire to live a life that “matches” or expresses their gender identity. Some people with Gender Dysphoria, but not all, may want to use hormones and sometimes surgery to express their gender identity.

    ​Gender Dysphoria is not a mental illness, but some people may develop mental health problems because of Gender Dysphoria. That is why it is important for a person to seek help if they are experiencing Gender Dysphoria.  

    Other definitions/things to note:

    Recognising and treating Gender Dysphoria reduces the chances of depression, distress, and suicide for those who experience it. When looking for treatment, someone with Gender Dysphoria may seek out a supportive environment with the freedom to express gender identity and trustworthy medical professionals.

    *Not all transgender or gender diverse people experience dysphoria.

  • Genderqueer

    Genderqueer is a term for people who “queer” their gender in some way. Genderqueer people fall outside cisgender norms, i.e., through being non-binary, gender non-conforming, or transgender. It is especially used in the specifically non-binary sense, referencing gender identity which is neither male nor female, is a combination of the two binary genders, or is on a continuum between those two genders (among other non-binary experiences). Genderqueer can therefore refer to someone who doesn’t follow binary gender norms.

    Other definitions/things to note:

    Genderqueer has also been used as a gender modality for a person who subverts gender or expectations related to gender, regardless of assigned gender. Some, but not all, Genderqueer people identify as transgender.

  • Homophobia

    Homophobia refers to harmful actions and/or attitudes towards gay or otherwise queer people. This can be further defined as a fear, hatred, or discomfort toward gay people.

    Homophobia is illegal in the UK, that is to say that acts of prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s sexuality are an offence.  

    It is known that acts of homophobia have a lasting and detrimental effect on everyone’s wellbeing (regardless of orientation or gender identity).  

    Homophobia can:

    • Have a significant association with mental health disorders.
    • Interfere with people’s ability to form strong friendships with others of the same sex, due to a fear of facing discrimination from being perceived as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
    • Affect the satisfaction with one’s quality of life.
    • Cause people to conform to specific gender-based roles and stereotypes that cause inhibited self-expression.
    • Also stigmatize heterosexuals, along with those perceived or labelled by others to be LGBTQIA+, the children of LGBTQIA+ parents, and the parents of LGBTQIA+ children and their friends.

    Other definitions/things to note:

    In some cultures, homophobia is not recognised –  because being homosexual or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community is forbidden. In some cases, homosexuality is illegal, such as in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sudan, Afghanistan, etc..

  • Orientation

    This may be short for sexual and/or romantic orientation.

    A sexual orientation (or someone’s ‘sexuality’) refers to a person’s sexual attractions (or lack thereof) toward other people. It is not defined by sexual activity, which can be independent of a person’s orientation. Examples of sexual orientation can include: pansexual, heterosexual, asexual, etc.

    Someone’s romantic orientation is related to a person’s romantic attractions or desires – independent of sexual attractions. Romantic orientation is generally expressed in terms of which gender or genders a person is attracted to in relation to the person’s own. These terms usually end in the suffix “-romantic”.

    Other definitions/things to note:

    A person’s orientation (sexual, romantic, or both) is independent of their gender identity.

    Romantic orientations are most often referred to in asexual communities, but they are not exclusive to asexual people. Although a person’s sexual and romantic attractions are usually implied by the same word used for their sexual orientation, a person’s romantic and sexual orientation may differ.

  • Pronouns

    Pronouns are words that can substitute for a noun. Personal pronouns are used to refer to a person when their name is not used.

    Pronouns are words we use in everyday language to refer to ourselves or others. They can be an important way to express gender identity. ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘she/her’, ‘he/him’ and ‘they/them’ are some examples of pronouns.

    Pronouns do not necessarily indicate an individual’s gender identity. For example, someone who uses the pronouns she/her may be a genderfluid or agender person instead of a binary female person. When someone’s pronouns are unknown, using the gender-neutral singular pronoun they/them is recommended.

    Other definitions/things to note:

    Some people may wish to use more than one set of pronouns to refer to themselves. For example, a gender non-conforming person may feel equally comfortable with they/them, he/him, or she/her pronouns. Other trans and gender non-conforming people may not be out, so they may use different pronouns so they’re comfortable in different situations.

    What pronouns someone chooses to use for themselves can be contextual; for example, someone may use different pronouns at work or at home.

  • Questioning

    Questioning is a term used to describe individuals who are exploring, learning, or experimenting with their sexual or romantic orientation, or gender identity. The letter “Q” in the LGBTQIA+ acronym can sometimes stand for both “Queer” and “Questioning”.

    For example, someone may be exploring whether or not they are bisexual (attracted to people of the same gender and to people of other genders);  and they may currently identify as heterosexual, and be interested in exploring a same-sex queer relationship, or identify as homosexual and be curious about a heterosexual one.

    Questioning sexual/romantic or gender identity may mean that someone feels:

    • Unsure about who they are attracted to
    • May not relate to the examples of romance around them
    • Are unsure of what label feels right for them
    • May not feel comfortable with their gender expression or identity

    Other definitions/things to note:

    The common phrase used to diminish the feelings of LGBTQIA+ young people, “it’s a phase,” is often used to diminish the feelings of individuals who are experimenting or questioning their identity or orientation. As a result, some people who are questioning may feel excluded from the LGBTQIA+ community, or may feel as though they do not fit into the community; despite, for example, knowing that they are not cisgender heterosexual. It is important to recognise that someone’s gender identity or romantic/sexual orientation is theirs to define and describe in the way that feels right for them.