Glossary
Plain-language definitions for every term you will encounter. Browse by letter or filter by category.
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A
Antecedent
What happens immediately before a behavior occurs. Identifying antecedents helps predict and prevent challenging behaviors.
Behavior TermsABC Data
A method of recording the antecedent, behavior, and consequence for each instance of a target behavior. Used to identify patterns and functions.
Behavior TermsAttention
A function of behavior where the person engages in a behavior to gain social attention from others, whether positive or negative.
Behavior TermsABA
Applied behavior analysis. A scientific approach to understanding and changing behavior. It is the most widely researched intervention for autism spectrum disorder.
Therapy TypesApplied Behavior Analysis
The full name for ABA. A discipline that applies principles of learning and behavior to improve socially significant behaviors.
Therapy TypesAuditory Processing
The way the brain interprets and makes sense of sound information. Difficulties can affect following directions, learning, and functioning in noisy environments.
Sensory ProcessingAutonomic Nervous System
The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Plays a central role in stress responses.
Self-RegulationAide
Another term for a paraprofessional. A staff member who supports students with disabilities in the classroom or other school settings.
Educational TermsAAC
Augmentative and alternative communication. Tools and strategies that supplement or replace spoken language, including picture boards, sign language, and speech-generating devices.
Therapy TypesAntecedent Intervention
A proactive strategy that modifies the environment or situation before a behavior occurs to prevent the behavior from happening.
Behavior TermsAutistic Burnout
A state of chronic exhaustion, loss of skills, and reduced functioning experienced by autistic individuals, often caused by prolonged masking and overwhelming demands.
Autism SpectrumAccommodation
A change in how a student accesses learning or demonstrates knowledge without changing the content or expectations. Examples include extra time and preferential seating.
Educational TermsAutism Spectrum Disorder
A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behavior. Abbreviated ASD.
Autism SpectrumASD
Abbreviation for autism spectrum disorder. The current diagnostic term used in the DSM-5.
Autism SpectrumB
Behavior
Any observable and measurable action performed by a person. In behavioral analysis, behavior is described in objective, specific terms.
Behavior TermsBackward Chaining
Teaching the last step of a task sequence first so the person always experiences completion, then working backward through earlier steps.
Therapy TypesBCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst. A graduate-level professional who designs and oversees ABA programs.
Therapy TypesBoard Certified Behavior Analyst
The full title for BCBA. A professional certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to practice applied behavior analysis.
Therapy TypesBIP
Behavior intervention plan. A written document that describes strategies for preventing and responding to challenging behaviors based on a functional behavior assessment.
Behavior TermsBehavior Intervention Plan
The full name for BIP. A proactive plan that includes prevention strategies, teaching replacement behaviors, and response procedures.
Behavior TermsBaseline
The level of a behavior before any intervention begins. Establishing a baseline allows measurement of whether an intervention is effective.
Behavior TermsBehavior Contract
A written agreement between a student and teacher that specifies expected behaviors, rewards for meeting expectations, and consequences for not meeting them.
Behavior TermsBody Check
A mindfulness technique where a person pauses to notice how their body feels, identifying areas of tension, energy level, and emotional state.
Self-RegulationBehavioral Momentum
A strategy of presenting several easy or preferred tasks before a difficult demand, building compliance momentum that increases the likelihood of cooperation.
Behavior TermsC
Consequence
What happens immediately after a behavior occurs. Consequences either increase or decrease the likelihood of the behavior happening again.
Behavior TermsChaining
Teaching a multi-step task by linking individual steps together. Each step in the chain serves as a cue for the next.
Therapy TypesCo-Regulation
The process by which a calm, regulated adult helps a child return to a regulated state through their presence, tone, and actions.
Self-RegulationCognitive Flexibility
The ability to shift thinking, switch between tasks, or adapt to new rules or expectations. Difficulty with flexibility can lead to rigidity and distress during transitions.
Autism SpectrumComic Strip Conversation
A visual tool using simple drawings and speech bubbles to illustrate a social interaction and help the person understand what people may be thinking and feeling.
Educational TermsCalm Down Corner
A designated space in a classroom or home where a child can go to use calming strategies and self-regulate when feeling overwhelmed.
Self-RegulationCoping Strategy
A technique or action a person uses to manage stress, strong emotions, or sensory overload. Examples include deep breathing, counting, and using a fidget tool.
Self-RegulationCompression Clothing
Tight-fitting garments that provide consistent deep pressure to the body. Can help with body awareness and regulation for individuals who seek proprioceptive input.
Sensory ProcessingChew Tool
A safe, durable object designed for chewing, providing oral sensory input. Used as a replacement for chewing on clothing, pencils, or other non-food items.
Sensory ProcessingChoice Board
A visual display of options that allows a person to make choices about activities, reinforcers, or strategies. Promotes autonomy and reduces frustration.
Educational TermsD
Discrete Trial
A structured teaching method with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Each trial includes an instruction, response, and consequence.
Therapy TypesData Collection
The systematic recording of behavioral observations. Accurate data guides decisions about interventions and tracks progress.
Behavior TermsDuration Data
A measure of how long a behavior lasts from start to finish.
Behavior TermsDysregulation
A state where a person's emotional or behavioral response is disproportionate to the situation. The person has difficulty returning to a calm, regulated state.
Self-RegulationDeep Pressure
Firm, evenly distributed pressure applied to the body through activities like weighted blankets, compression clothing, or bear hugs. Generally calming.
Sensory ProcessingDifferential Reinforcement
Reinforcing a specific desired behavior while withholding reinforcement for undesired behaviors. Several variations exist (DRA, DRI, DRO, DRL).
Behavior TermsDesensitization
A gradual process of reducing a person's sensitivity or fear response to a stimulus by slowly and systematically increasing exposure in a controlled way.
Therapy TypesDemand Avoidance
A strong, anxiety-driven need to avoid or resist everyday demands and expectations. Associated with the PDA profile of autism.
Autism SpectrumDe-Escalation
Strategies used to reduce a person's level of agitation before it reaches crisis level. Includes reducing demands, lowering voice, and providing space.
Self-RegulationE
Escape
A function of behavior where the person engages in a behavior to avoid or get away from a non-preferred activity, demand, or situation.
Behavior TermsExtinction
Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, which eventually leads to a decrease in that behavior.
Behavior TermsExtinction Burst
A temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a behavior when reinforcement is first removed. The behavior often gets worse before it gets better.
Behavior TermsEmotional Regulation
The ability to monitor, evaluate, and modify emotional reactions to meet situational demands and personal goals.
Self-RegulationEcholalia
The repetition of words or phrases spoken by others. Can be immediate (repeating right away) or delayed (repeating hours or days later). May serve a communicative function.
Autism SpectrumExecutive Function
A set of cognitive processes that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. Challenges with executive function are common in autism and ADHD.
Autism SpectrumEnvironmental Modification
Changing aspects of the physical environment to support desired behavior and reduce triggers for challenging behavior.
Behavior TermsElopement
The act of leaving a designated area or running away without permission. A significant safety concern, especially for children who may not understand danger.
Behavior TermsEmotional Vocabulary
The words a person has available to identify and describe their feelings. Expanding emotional vocabulary supports self-awareness and communication about internal states.
Self-RegulationEscalation Cycle
The predictable pattern of increasing agitation that leads to a meltdown or crisis, typically progressing through calm, trigger, agitation, peak, and recovery phases.
Self-RegulationF
Function of Behavior
The underlying reason a behavior occurs. The four main functions are escape, attention, access to tangibles, and sensory stimulation.
Behavior TermsForward Chaining
Teaching the first step of a task sequence and prompting through the rest, then gradually requiring the person to complete more steps independently.
Therapy TypesFBA
Functional behavior assessment. A process for identifying the function or purpose of a challenging behavior to develop an effective intervention plan.
Behavior TermsFunctional Behavior Assessment
The full name for FBA. A systematic process of gathering information to determine why a behavior occurs.
Behavior TermsFrequency Data
A count of how many times a behavior occurs within a specific time period.
Behavior TermsFight or Flight
The body's automatic stress response that prepares a person to either confront or flee from a perceived threat. Activated by the sympathetic nervous system.
Self-RegulationFreeze Response
A stress response where the body becomes immobile and the person may appear shut down or unresponsive. Often overlooked as a trauma or stress reaction.
Self-RegulationFAPE
Free appropriate public education. A legal requirement under IDEA that all children with disabilities receive education at no cost that meets their individual needs.
Educational TermsFree Appropriate Public Education
The full name for FAPE. Schools must provide special education and related services designed to meet the unique needs of each eligible child.
Educational TermsFirst Then Board
A visual support showing two steps: first the current or non-preferred task, then the upcoming preferred activity. Motivates task completion and reduces anxiety.
Educational TermsFunctional Communication Training
Teaching a person to communicate their needs using appropriate methods (words, signs, pictures, devices) as a replacement for challenging behavior.
Therapy TypesFidget Tool
A small object used to provide sensory input during tasks that require attention or self-regulation. Examples include stress balls, putty, and spinner rings.
Sensory ProcessingFloortime
A developmental intervention (DIR/Floortime) that follows the child's lead during play to build social-emotional skills and expand thinking and communication.
Therapy TypesG
Gestural Prompt
A nonverbal cue such as pointing, nodding, or looking toward the correct response.
Therapy TypesGustatory
Relating to the sense of taste. Sensory differences in taste processing can contribute to food selectivity and mealtime challenges.
Sensory ProcessingGrounding Technique
A strategy that brings attention to the present moment using the senses, such as naming five things you can see or pressing feet firmly into the floor.
Self-RegulationGeneralization
The ability to apply a learned skill across different settings, people, materials, and situations. A critical goal in any effective intervention.
Therapy TypesH
Hyposensitivity
Reduced sensitivity to sensory input, where a person needs more intense stimulation to register a sensation. Can lead to sensory seeking behaviors.
Sensory ProcessingHypersensitivity
Increased sensitivity to sensory input, where ordinary levels of stimulation feel overwhelming or painful. Can lead to sensory avoidance.
Sensory ProcessingHyperarousal
A state of excessive physiological activation characterized by anxiety, agitation, hypervigilance, or panic. The person is above their window of tolerance.
Self-RegulationHypoarousal
A state of reduced physiological activation characterized by lethargy, numbness, withdrawal, or shutdown. The person is below their window of tolerance.
Self-RegulationHeavy Work
Activities that provide deep pressure and proprioceptive input to the muscles and joints, such as pushing, pulling, carrying, or climbing. Often calming and organizing.
Sensory ProcessingI
Incidental Teaching
A naturalistic teaching strategy where the therapist uses the child's own initiations and interests as opportunities to teach language and social skills.
Therapy TypesInterval Recording
A data collection method where an observation period is divided into equal intervals and the observer records whether the behavior occurred during each interval.
Behavior TermsInteroception
The sense that provides awareness of internal body states such as hunger, thirst, temperature, pain, and the need to use the bathroom.
Sensory ProcessingInhibition
The ability to stop or control automatic responses and impulses. Weak inhibition can lead to impulsive actions and difficulty waiting.
Autism SpectrumIEP
Individualized Education Program. A legally binding document that outlines the special education services, goals, and accommodations for a student with a disability.
Educational TermsIndividualized Education Program
The full name for IEP. Developed by a team including parents, teachers, and specialists, it is reviewed and updated annually.
Educational TermsInclusion
The practice of educating students with disabilities in the general education classroom with appropriate supports and services.
Educational TermsIDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The federal law that governs special education services and ensures FAPE for children with disabilities in the United States.
Educational TermsIdentity-First Language
Language that places the identity before the person, such as 'autistic person.' Many autistic adults prefer this phrasing.
Autism SpectrumJ
L
Latency Data
A measure of the time between an instruction or cue and the start of the behavior. Useful for measuring response time.
Behavior TermsLRE
Least restrictive environment. The legal principle that students with disabilities should be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
Educational TermsLeast Restrictive Environment
The full name for LRE. The goal is to provide support within the general education setting whenever possible.
Educational TermsM
Meltdown
An intense response to overwhelming sensory or emotional input where the person temporarily loses behavioral control. Unlike a tantrum, a meltdown is not goal-directed.
Behavior TermsModeling
Demonstrating the desired behavior for the person to imitate. Can be done in person or through video.
Therapy TypesMomentary Time Sampling
A data collection method where the observer checks whether the behavior is occurring at the exact moment each interval ends.
Behavior TermsMainstreaming
Placing a student with a disability in a general education classroom for part or all of the school day. The student may still receive separate services.
Educational TermsMasking
The practice of consciously or unconsciously suppressing autistic traits to appear neurotypical in social situations. Can be exhausting and affect mental health.
Autism SpectrumModification
A change to what a student is expected to learn or demonstrate, such as reduced assignment length or simplified content. Different from an accommodation.
Educational TermsMand
A verbal behavior term for a request or demand. Teaching mands is often the first step in ABA-based communication programs.
Therapy TypesMaintenance
The continued performance of a skill over time after teaching has ended. Skills that are not maintained must be re-taught or practiced.
Therapy TypesMovement Break
A brief period of physical activity used to help a person regulate their arousal level and refocus. Especially helpful for children who are sensory seeking.
Sensory ProcessingN
Negative Reinforcement
Removing an unpleasant stimulus after a behavior to increase the chance the behavior will happen again. Example: ending a difficult task when a child asks for a break.
Behavior TermsNatural Environment Teaching
A teaching approach that uses naturally occurring opportunities and the child's interests to teach skills in real-world settings.
Therapy TypesNeurodiversity
The concept that neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, are natural variations in the human brain rather than disorders to be cured.
Autism SpectrumNeurodivergent
A term describing individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from what is considered typical. Includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others.
Autism SpectrumNeurotypical
A term describing individuals whose neurological development and functioning align with what is considered typical in the general population.
Autism SpectrumNoise-Canceling Headphones
Headphones that reduce ambient noise, used by individuals with auditory sensitivity to manage sensory overload in loud environments.
Sensory ProcessingNatural Consequence
An outcome that occurs naturally as a result of a behavior without any adult intervention. For example, forgetting a jacket and feeling cold.
Behavior TermsO
Olfactory
Relating to the sense of smell. Some individuals are highly sensitive to odors that others barely notice, which can trigger avoidance or distress.
Sensory ProcessingOrganization
The ability to arrange materials, time, and tasks in a structured way. Challenges with organization affect schoolwork, daily routines, and independence.
Autism SpectrumOccupational Therapy
A related service that helps individuals develop fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care abilities, and other skills needed for daily functioning.
Therapy TypesP
Positive Reinforcement
Adding a desired stimulus after a behavior to increase the chance the behavior will happen again. Example: giving praise after a child follows a direction.
Behavior TermsPunishment
Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again. Behavioral science uses this term technically, not as a moral judgment.
Behavior TermsPrompt
A cue or assistance given to help a person perform a desired behavior. Prompts range from most intrusive (physical) to least intrusive (gestural).
Therapy TypesPrompt Fading
The systematic reduction of prompts over time so the person can perform the behavior independently.
Therapy TypesPrompt Hierarchy
A structured sequence of prompts arranged from most to least supportive: physical, verbal, gestural, visual, and independent.
Therapy TypesPhysical Prompt
A prompt where the therapist physically guides the person through the desired movement or action. The most intrusive level of prompting.
Therapy TypesPivotal Response Training
A naturalistic behavioral intervention that targets pivotal areas of development such as motivation, self-management, and responsivity to multiple cues.
Therapy TypesProprioception
The sense that provides awareness of body position and movement. Proprioceptive input comes from muscles and joints and can be calming and organizing.
Sensory ProcessingParasympathetic
The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for calming the body after stress. Often called the rest-and-digest system.
Self-RegulationPolyvagal Theory
A theory by Stephen Porges proposing that the vagus nerve has multiple branches that regulate different social engagement and survival responses.
Self-RegulationPerseveration
The persistent repetition of a word, phrase, topic, or behavior beyond the point where it serves a purpose. Common in autism and some neurological conditions.
Autism SpectrumPlanning
The executive function skill of identifying steps needed to reach a goal and organizing them in the correct order.
Autism SpectrumPower Card
A motivational strategy that uses a person's special interest to teach a social skill or behavioral expectation. Presented on a card the person can carry.
Educational TermsPragmatic Language
The social use of language, including taking turns in conversation, staying on topic, understanding nonliteral language, and adjusting communication to the listener.
Autism SpectrumPerspective Taking
The cognitive skill of understanding a situation from another person's point of view. Related to but distinct from empathy.
Autism SpectrumParaprofessional
A trained classroom aide who provides direct support to students with disabilities under the supervision of a certified teacher or specialist.
Educational TermsPECS
Picture Exchange Communication System. A communication system where the person gives a picture to a communication partner to request items or express needs.
Therapy TypesPlanned Ignoring
A strategy where attention-maintained behavior is intentionally not reinforced by withholding a response. Must be paired with reinforcement of appropriate behavior.
Behavior TermsPriming
Previewing an upcoming activity, environment, or expectation to reduce anxiety and increase success. Gives the person time to prepare mentally.
Educational TermsPDA
Pathological demand avoidance. A profile of autism characterized by an extreme need to avoid demands, driven by anxiety rather than defiance.
Autism SpectrumPerson-First Language
Language that places the person before the disability, such as 'person with autism.' Some families and organizations prefer this phrasing.
Autism SpectrumProactive Strategy
An approach that prevents challenging behavior before it occurs by modifying the environment, schedule, or expectations.
Behavior TermsPositive Behavior Support
A framework that emphasizes preventing challenging behavior through environmental design, teaching skills, and reinforcing appropriate behavior. Abbreviated PBS.
Behavior TermsProcessing Speed
The rate at which a person takes in information, makes sense of it, and responds. Slower processing speed is common in autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Autism SpectrumR
Reinforcement
Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again. Can be positive (adding something) or negative (removing something).
Behavior TermsRBT
Registered Behavior Technician. A paraprofessional who implements ABA programs under the supervision of a BCBA.
Therapy TypesRegistered Behavior Technician
The full title for RBT. A trained technician who provides direct ABA therapy services.
Therapy TypesReciprocity
The back-and-forth exchange in social interactions, including conversation, play, and emotional sharing. Difficulty with reciprocity is a core feature of autism.
Autism SpectrumResource Room
A separate classroom where students with disabilities receive specialized instruction for part of the school day, then return to general education for the remainder.
Educational TermsRelated Services
Support services required for a child to benefit from special education, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, counseling, and transportation.
Educational TermsReplacement Behavior
A socially appropriate behavior taught to serve the same function as a challenging behavior. For example, teaching a child to request a break instead of throwing materials.
Behavior TermsRegulation Strategy
A specific technique used to return to a calm, alert state. Examples include deep breathing, movement breaks, compression, and using sensory tools.
Self-RegulationRecovery Phase
The period after a meltdown or crisis when the person is physically and emotionally spent and gradually returns to a regulated state. Not an appropriate time for teaching.
Self-RegulationReinforcement Schedule
The pattern determining when and how often reinforcement is delivered. Includes continuous (every time) and intermittent (some of the time) schedules.
Behavior TermsReactive Strategy
An approach used to respond to challenging behavior after it occurs, with the goal of ensuring safety and helping the person return to a calm state.
Behavior TermsRestorative Practice
An approach to conflict resolution and behavior management that focuses on repairing relationships and understanding impact rather than punishment.
Educational TermsS
Sensory Function
A function of behavior where the behavior itself provides internal sensory reinforcement, such as stimming for the feeling it produces.
Behavior TermsShaping
Reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior. Used to build new skills by reinforcing closer and closer attempts at the desired behavior.
Therapy TypesSensory Processing
The way the nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory input from the environment and the body.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Integration
The neurological process of organizing sensory information from the body and environment so it can be used for functional behavior and learning.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Diet
A personalized plan of sensory activities scheduled throughout the day to help a person maintain an optimal level of arousal and regulation.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Input
Any information the nervous system receives through the senses, including touch, movement, sight, sound, taste, smell, and internal body signals.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Seeking
A pattern where a person actively pursues intense sensory experiences, such as spinning, crashing, loud sounds, or strong flavors.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Avoiding
A pattern where a person actively avoids certain sensory experiences because they feel overwhelming or uncomfortable.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Modulation
The ability to regulate responses to sensory input, matching the intensity of the response to the demands of the situation.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Discrimination
The ability to distinguish between different types of sensory input, such as telling the difference between similar textures or sounds.
Sensory ProcessingSelf-Regulation
The ability to manage one's emotional state, arousal level, and behavior in response to internal and external demands.
Self-RegulationSympathetic
The branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness.
Self-RegulationStimming
Self-stimulatory behavior such as hand flapping, rocking, spinning, or repeating sounds. Stimming can serve sensory regulation, emotional expression, or communication purposes.
Autism SpectrumSelf-Stimulatory Behavior
The full term for stimming. Repetitive movements or vocalizations that provide sensory input or emotional regulation.
Autism SpectrumStereotypy
Repetitive, seemingly purposeless movements or vocalizations. In behavioral terms, stereotypy is behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement.
Autism SpectrumSpecial Interest
An intense, focused area of interest that an autistic person may pursue with exceptional depth and enthusiasm. Can be a source of joy, motivation, and learning.
Autism SpectrumSocial Story
A short, personalized story that describes a social situation, expected behaviors, and perspectives. Developed by Carol Gray to teach social understanding.
Educational TermsSocial Skills Group
A structured small-group setting where individuals practice social interaction skills with peers, guided by a therapist or teacher.
Educational TermsSelf-Contained Classroom
A special education classroom where students with disabilities receive most or all of their instruction. Typically has a lower student-to-teacher ratio.
Educational TermsSpeech Therapy
A related service that addresses communication challenges including articulation, language comprehension, expression, fluency, voice, and pragmatic language.
Therapy TypesSensory Overload
A state where the brain receives more sensory input than it can process, leading to distress, shutdown, or meltdown.
Sensory ProcessingSensory Room
A specially designed space with equipment and materials that provide controlled sensory experiences, used for regulation and calming.
Sensory ProcessingSafety Plan
A written plan that addresses specific safety concerns such as elopement, self-injury, or aggression, including prevention strategies and crisis response procedures.
Behavior TermsSelf-Injurious Behavior
Behavior where a person causes physical harm to their own body, such as head banging, biting, or scratching. Requires careful functional assessment.
Behavior TermsScripting
Repeating lines from movies, books, or conversations, often in context or as a communication attempt. A form of delayed echolalia.
Autism SpectrumSpoon Theory
A metaphor where daily energy is represented by spoons. Each activity costs spoons, and once they are gone, the person has no energy left. Used widely in disability communities.
Self-RegulationSocial Communication
The use of language in social contexts, including understanding and using nonverbal cues, taking turns, and adjusting language for different audiences.
Autism SpectrumSensory Profile
An assessment tool that measures how a person processes and responds to sensory information across different senses and situations.
Sensory ProcessingSpectrum
The concept that autism presents differently in every individual, with varying strengths and challenges across social, sensory, and behavioral domains.
Autism SpectrumSocial Narrative
A broader term for stories written to teach social understanding, including social stories, narrative interventions, and scripted scenarios.
Educational TermsStructured Teaching
An educational approach that uses visual organization of the environment, schedules, and tasks to support learning and independence. Associated with the TEACCH method.
Educational TermsSensory Break
A planned pause in activity to provide sensory input that helps the person return to a regulated state. Part of a proactive sensory diet.
Sensory ProcessingT
Tantrum
A goal-directed behavior where a child acts out to get something they want or avoid something they dislike. Tantrums stop when the goal is met or the audience leaves.
Behavior TermsTangible
A function of behavior where the person engages in a behavior to gain access to a preferred item or activity.
Behavior TermsTask Analysis
Breaking a complex skill or activity into smaller, teachable steps. Each step is defined clearly so it can be taught and measured.
Therapy TypesTactile
Relating to the sense of touch. Tactile processing affects how a person responds to textures, temperatures, pressure, and pain.
Sensory ProcessingTime Management
The ability to estimate, allocate, and monitor time effectively. Visual timers and schedules can support individuals who struggle with time awareness.
Autism SpectrumTransition
The process of moving from one activity, setting, or routine to another. Transitions are a common source of difficulty for autistic individuals.
Educational TermsTheory of Mind
The ability to understand that other people have their own thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and perspectives that may differ from one's own.
Autism SpectrumToken Economy
A reinforcement system where tokens are earned for desired behaviors and exchanged for preferred items or activities. Provides visual tracking of progress.
Behavior TermsTransition Warning
A verbal, visual, or auditory signal given before a transition to help the person prepare for the upcoming change. Reduces transition-related distress.
Educational TermsTact
A verbal behavior term for labeling or naming something in the environment. Tacts are taught after mands in many ABA programs.
Therapy TypesTEACCH
Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children. A program that emphasizes structured teaching and visual supports.
Educational TermsTrigger
A specific stimulus, event, or situation that predictably leads to a stress response or challenging behavior. Identifying triggers is a key step in prevention.
Self-RegulationV
Verbal Prompt
A spoken cue that tells or reminds the person what to do. Less intrusive than a physical prompt.
Therapy TypesVisual Prompt
A picture, symbol, written word, or visual cue that supports the person in completing a task or following a routine.
Therapy TypesVestibular
The sense that detects head position and movement, providing information about balance and spatial orientation. Located in the inner ear.
Sensory ProcessingVisual Processing
The way the brain interprets visual information. Challenges can affect reading, handwriting, spatial awareness, and navigating the environment.
Sensory ProcessingVagus Nerve
The longest cranial nerve, running from the brain to the abdomen. It plays a key role in the parasympathetic response and is central to polyvagal theory.
Self-RegulationVisual Schedule
A series of pictures, symbols, or words displayed in order to show the sequence of activities or steps in a routine. Reduces anxiety about transitions and expectations.
Educational TermsVideo Modeling
A teaching technique where the person watches a video of someone (or themselves) performing a target skill, then practices it. Effective for social, play, and daily living skills.
Educational TermsVisual Timer
A timer that shows the passage of time visually, often with a colored section that shrinks. Helps individuals who struggle with abstract time concepts.
Educational TermsVerbal Behavior
An approach to language training based on B.F. Skinner's analysis of language, categorizing communication by function (mand, tact, echoic, intraverbal).
Therapy TypesW
Window of Tolerance
The zone of arousal in which a person can function most effectively, processing information and responding to demands without becoming overwhelmed or shut down.
Self-RegulationWorking Memory
The ability to hold and manipulate information in mind over short periods. Supports following multi-step directions and problem-solving.
Autism SpectrumWeighted Blanket
A blanket with evenly distributed weight that provides deep pressure input. Often used to promote calm and improve sleep in individuals with sensory processing differences.
Sensory ProcessingWait Time
The pause between giving an instruction and expecting a response. Providing adequate wait time is especially important for individuals with processing differences.
Educational Terms