Neurodiversity is the concept that variations in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions are normal. It suggests that these differences are not defects but rather a part of human diversity.
Neurodivergence refers to the variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions. It includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. It's not a disorder or deficiency, but a part of natural human diversity.
Neurotypical refers to individuals whose brain development and functioning align with what's considered standard or typical. They are not on the autism spectrum and develop skills such as social and organizational abilities at a similar pace as their peers. They fit into the norm of thinking patterns.
Lived experience refers to the firsthand accounts and impressions of living as a result of direct, personal participation or observation. It is a unique, subjective perspective that encompasses an individual's personal experiences, emotions, and responses. This concept is often used in qualitative research and social sciences to understand human behavior and perception.
Inclusion, in the context of neurodiversity, refers to the practice of ensuring that individuals with diverse neurological conditions are equally valued, accepted, and included in all aspects of life. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting neurological differences, rather than trying to 'normalize' them.
Advocacy is the act of supporting or promoting the interests of a cause or group. In the context of neurodivergence, advocacy involves promoting the rights, needs, and well-being of individuals with neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. It includes creating inclusive environments, understanding unique needs, and celebrating neurodiversity.
Neuroethics is an interdisciplinary field of study that explores the ethical, legal, and societal implications of neuroscience. It deals with ethical issues arising from advancements in neuroscience and neurotechnology, such as brain manipulation and study.
Intersectionality is a theoretical framework that examines how various forms of social stratification, such as race, class, and gender, intersect and create complex layers of discrimination or privilege. It's used to understand how systemic injustice and social inequality occur on a multidimensional basis.
Developmental milestones are functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. They are categorized into five areas: gross motor, fine motor, language, cognitive, and social-emotional. These milestones help gauge if a child's development is on track.
Early Intervention is a system of services designed to identify and address developmental issues in children from birth to age three. It involves therapies and interventions aimed at boosting a child's development and mitigating the effects of disabilities or delays, thereby enhancing their future growth and learning potential.
Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that affect the brain's ability to receive, process, store, respond to, and communicate information. They can impact a person's ability in reading, writing, mathematics, listening, speaking, reasoning, and spatial abilities. These are not related to a person's intelligence but are inherent challenges in their learning processes.
Executive Function Challenges refer to difficulties in cognitive processes that regulate tasks such as organization, planning, attention, and impulse control. They can affect everyday tasks and are often linked to certain mental health conditions.
Giftedness is an exceptional intellectual ability or talent in one or more areas, often identified at a young age. It's characterized by high natural intelligence, talent, or ability. According to the National Association of Gifted Children, it includes exceptional learning or reasoning abilities or performance in the top 10% or less.
Assistive Technology (AT) is a term for any device, software, or equipment that helps individuals with disabilities perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. AT can range from wheelchairs and glasses to speech recognition software and time management apps, all designed to enhance, maintain, or increase the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Social communication is the use of language and nonverbal cues to interact with others, express emotions, and build relationships. It involves social interaction, social cognition, pragmatics, language processing, language expression, and comprehension.
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a mental health condition where individuals experience intense fear of social situations due to concerns about being judged or embarrassed. This fear can lead to avoidance of social interactions, causing difficulties in daily activities like work, school, and maintaining relationships.
Emotional regulation is the ability to effectively manage and respond to an emotional experience. It involves being able to control or influence which emotions you have, when you have them, and how you experience and express them. It's a key aspect of emotional intelligence and mental health.
Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and it helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. It is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Self-esteem is a person's overall sense of their value or worth. It's a perception that can be influenced by various factors and experiences, and it plays a crucial role in one's mental and emotional well-being. High self-esteem leads to confidence and positive outlook, while low self-esteem can result in self-doubt and negativity.
Self-advocacy is the ability to understand and express one's own needs and rights. It involves recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses, setting goals, knowing legal rights and responsibilities, and effectively communicating these aspects to others. It's a crucial skill for personal empowerment and informed decision-making.
Bullying and harassment are unwanted, aggressive behaviors that involve a power imbalance and are repeated over time. They can be physical, verbal, social, damage to personal property, or cyberbullying. These behaviors are particularly prevalent among individuals with neurodiverse conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Down Syndrome.
Sensory processing is the way the brain receives, organizes, and interprets sensory information from our environment. It involves processing input from all our senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, to help us understand and interact with the world around us.
Sensory sensitivity, or Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), is a biological trait where individuals are more aware and sensitive to their environment. They process sensory information more deeply and intensely. This trait can be associated with conditions like autism, ADHD, OCD, and developmental delays.
Sensory avoidance is a behavior where individuals actively avoid certain sensory stimuli due to discomfort or distress. It can manifest in various ways such as avoiding physical touch, loud sounds, certain types of clothing, and unexpected sounds or bright lights. This behavior can impact social interactions and daily activities.
Sensory seeking is a behavior often observed in children who are under-sensitive to sensory inputs. They actively seek out sensory experiences involving sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. This behavior is often due to a high neurological threshold or under-responsiveness, leading them to crave more sensory stimulation.
Sensory modulation is the process by which the brain manages its response to sensory input. It involves regulating attention and activity levels in response to stimuli, allowing individuals to adapt their behavior according to the sensory information they receive.
Brain anatomy refers to the structure of the brain, including its various parts and their functions. The brain is divided into three main parts: the cerebrum, responsible for conscious thoughts, memories, and planning; the brainstem, controlling basic body functions like swallowing and breathing; and the cerebellum, managing balance and coordination.
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is the ability of the brain to change and adapt as a result of experience. It involves changes in the brain's structure, function, and chemistry due to learning or brain damage. This process enables the creation and strengthening of neural pathways, facilitating learning and adaptation.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals from one neuron to another across synapses. They play a crucial role in regulating mood, cognition, and behavior by either exciting or inhibiting the neuron's activity.
Neurological conditions are disorders that affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They can impact various functions such as motor skills, language, and consciousness. Examples include epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Symptoms can range from seizures and paralysis to confusion and pain.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It affects nearly 3 million Americans, including about 450,000 children. Symptoms include episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive tics, which are sudden muscle movements or sounds. These tics can be simple or complex, involving physical movements like blinking or vocal sounds like grunting. Symptoms typically emerge between ages 5 and 10.
Advocacy groups are organizations that aim to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. They represent and fight for causes, ideas, or the interests of specific groups of people, such as those with disabilities, the environment, or animals. They use various strategies including lobbying, public relations, and mobilizing public opinion.
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or "talk therapy", is a process where trained professionals help individuals deal with mental or emotional challenges to improve their well-being. It involves various techniques to understand and resolve problems, modify behavior, and make positive changes.
Educational interventions are strategies used to support students, especially those with special needs, in achieving academic success. They can be instructional or behavioral, aimed at changing students' thoughts, emotions, or behaviors, and helping them acquire necessary skills. They address functional, academic, cognitive, behavioral, and social skills.
Support groups are gatherings of individuals who share common experiences or challenges. They provide a platform for members to offer mutual emotional support, share personal experiences, and learn coping strategies. These groups can help individuals feel less isolated and more understood.
Peer relationships are social interactions between individuals of the same age or developmental level. These relationships, which often include friendships, provide social support and help individuals develop skills and knowledge.
Attachment styles are patterns of behavior and interaction in relationships that are established in childhood. They are characterized by four main styles: Secure, Avoidant, Disorganized, and Anxious. Additionally, there are other attachment styles like Dismissive avoidant and Fearful avoidant.
Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that can have lasting adverse effects on an individual's mental, physical, and emotional health. It often occurs when an individual experiences a stressful, frightening, or distressing event that is difficult to cope with or out of their control.
Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or challenges. It's a person's ability to adapt to adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant sources of stress, and bounce back stronger, wiser, and more personally powerful. It's a vital component of mental health and well-being.
Mindfulness is the act of consciously focusing on the present moment in a non-judgmental way. It involves being aware of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without reacting to them. This practice can help reduce stress, improve focus, and promote emotional well-being.
Self-care is the practice of activities that individuals do to maintain their physical, emotional, and mental health. It includes tasks that promote well-being and personal satisfaction, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, maintaining personal hygiene, managing stress, and pursuing hobbies or interests.
Proprioception, also known as kinesthesia, is the sense that lets us perceive the location, movement, and action of parts of the body. It involves input from sensory neurons located inside the body and the interpretation of that input by the brain.
The vestibular system is a complex sensory system located in the inner ear, responsible for maintaining our body's balance, spatial orientation, and coordination of eye movements. It plays a crucial role in our ability to move and perceive our position in space.
Interoception is the internal body sense that helps us understand and feel what's happening inside our bodies, such as hunger, thirst, and temperature. It's often referred to as the eighth sense and plays a key role in regulating vital body functions.
Co-regulation is a process where two or more individuals manage their emotional states together to achieve a calm state. It's a key aspect of psychological development, particularly in children, as it helps them learn how to self-regulate their emotions. The process also involves how one person's nervous system can influence another's.
A sensory diet is a personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day. It is designed by occupational therapists and is especially beneficial for individuals with sensory processing issues, including those on the autism spectrum.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which individuals learn to understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. It's a crucial part of education and human development.
HYM uses personalized, engaging, and transparent telemedicine practices to help children and teens up to age 21 build the strategies they need to become more resilient, self-sufficient, regulated, and functional.
