chapter 11

Savant syndrome

a rare and extraordinary condition in which unusual skills are performed, usually in oen of five areas: music, art, calculating, mathematics, and mechanical or spatial skills, characterized by obsessive preoccupation with specific items or memorization of facts, trivia, sequences, or patterns that are in stark contrast to the developmental level of the individual, including splinter skills, extraordinary talents, and prodigious savant skills

Asperger’s syndrome

a condition that shares unusual social interactions and behaviours with autism, but historically has included no general language delay; no longer given as an initial diagnosis but may be incorporated into the diagnosis of ASD

autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

a range of functioning among many dimensions related to social communicative and social interactive functioning, with restricted and repetitive repertoire of behaviour, interests, or activities

echolalia

imitation or repetition of words that have been spoken, either immediate or delayed

stereotypic behaviour

behaviour or stereotypy involving repetitive movemetns such as rocking, hand flicking, or object manipulation

self-stimulation

repetitive body movements used to stimulate one’s senses; often colloqually referred to as “stimming”

perseveration

an extreme focus on circumscribed interests, topics, or activites

hypo-responsive

a low degree of reaction to a stimulus (eg physical stimulus)

hyper-responsive

a high degree of reaction to a stimulus (eg emotional stimulus)