OT 504: ASD Terminology

Autism Spectrum Disorder

A disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication and by the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviors

Theory of Mind

The ability to understand another person’s thoughts, feelings, or intentions

Auditory Processing

The ability to respond to voices and comprehend verbal language

Echolalia

The repetition of another person’s speech

SOR

Sensory modulation disorder involving a behavioral response to stimuli that is more intense and longer lasting than expected

SUR

Sensory modulation disorder involving a longer response time to stimuli or lack of response at all

Sensory Craving (SC)

Sensory modulation disorder involving an insatiable craving for sensory stimuli that interferes with functioning

Dyspraxia

Difficulty with motor planning

Sensory Discrimination Disorder

Difficulty discriminating between the qualities of distinct sensory stimulus; can occur in one or more of the senses

Joint Attention

The ability to use eye contact and gestures in order to share experiences with others

Global impairment

Brain differences are not the result of one specific lesion in the brain, impacting all areas of occupation

Rote memory

The memorization and use of previously heard chunks of language rather than the spontaneous generation of language