Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) - An intervention which aims to develop an individual’s ability to participate in authentic emotional relationships by exposing the individual to those relationships in a gradual, systematic way.
Regression - Process in which children appear to develop normal language and social skills but then lose these.
Regressive Autism - Form of autism in which children appear to develop normal language and social skills but then lose these with the onset of autism before age 3. Some forms of regressive autism are severe enough to be classed as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
Receptive Language Delay - Difficulty understanding language. Symptoms may include difficulty following directions, decreased comprehension of "yes/no" and "wh" questions, limited vocabulary, poor understanding of grammatical markers (i.e. verb tenses, possessives) and syntax and difficulty attending to spoken language.
Rett Syndrome - A complex neurological disorder which is genetic in origin. It affects mainly girls. Although present at birth, it becomes more evident during the second year.
Rotation Diet - Diet which involves eating different things at different times.
Salicylates - A plant hormone found in leafy vegetables and fruit. Some people advocate a low salicylate diet.
Sara’s Diet - A lutein-free, soy-protein free and casein/gluten-restricted diet which also restricts or removes some artificial additives.
Secretin - Gastrointestinal hormone that helps promote digestion of food.
Seizures - Sudden changes in behavior due to an excessive electrical activity in the brain.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Enhancer - A class of anti-depressant drugs that enhance the reuptake of serotonin instead of inhibiting it.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) - A class of drugs that works by stopping (inhibiting) the uptake (loss) of serotonin, which means that more serotonin is available to help pass on messages between nerve cells. SSRIs are used to treat a variety of conditions including depression and anxiety. Some people believe that they can also be used to treat people with autism who have other problems, such as repetitive behaviors or social deficits.
Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder - Condition characterized by good grammatical language but lack of ability to use language in a socially appropriate manner.
Sensory Deprivation Therapy - An intervention based around sensory deprivation i.e. minimizing sensory inputs such as sound, lights and smells.
Sensory Integration - The capacity of an individual to receive and process information provided by the senses.
Sensory Integration Therapy - Intervention that is designed to mitigate abnormal behaviors caused by sensory sensitivity.
Sensory Integrative Function - Condition characterized by unusual reactions or sensitivity to sensations such as sound, light or touch.
Sensory Processing Disorder - Disorder of the brain which makes people misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. This can lead to behavioral problems, difficulties with coordination, and many other issues.
Small Intestine (Small Bowel) - Its primary function is to digest (break down) food and absorb nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats).
Smith Magenis Syndrome - A genetic disorder where common characteristics include some degree of self-injury, sleep, disturbance, developmental delay, short stature, decreased sensitivity to pain, hyperactivity and destructive or aggressive behavior.
Social Skills Groups - Social skills groups provide an opportunity for individuals with autism to practice and improve their social skills in a safe, supportive environment.
Social Stories™ - Short stories for children on the autism spectrum designed to aid their understanding of social situations.
Son-Rise Program® - An intensive training program based on the idea that the best way to help a child with autism is to follow the child’s lead. The program is a home-based, one-to-one approach, typically implemented by the parents, often with the assistance of a team of volunteers.
Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) - A strict, complex and restrictive diet which excludes complex carbohydrates, such as those found in rice and potatoes. These carbohydrates are replaced with simple carbohydrates.
Speech and Language Therapy - An intervention in which a therapist works with individuals to help them develop their communication skills using a range of techniques.
Steatorrhea - Stool that is frothy, foul-smelling and floats because of a high fat content. It is common in malabsorption syndromes. This may be the result of the lower small intestine unable to absorb fats, or simply too much fat for even normal digestion to handle. Sometimes this can indicate liver, gall bladder or lipid metabolism diseases.
Stimming - Any kind of repetitive or stereotypic behavior.
Stomach - The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin.
Sulfation - The process of adding sulphate to the body.
T Cells - Control the B cells. When a harmless substance enters the body, the T cells signal the B cells to suppress antibody production, yet when a dangerous substance enters and must be eliminated, the T cells allow antibody production at a controlled rate and only until no more are needed. T cells can be programmed through vaccination or immunization to allow antibody production to previously unfamiliar but harmful antigens such as smallpox or polio. Conversely, allergy shots or other immunostimulation techniques can program T cells to recognize harmless antigens and to suppress production of their antibodies. (act like soldiers on the front line of the body’s defense against disease.)
Teaching Interaction - 10-step procedure designed to help students learn appropriate social and school-related behaviors.
Testosterone - Main male sex hormone, a steroid which controls the growth and functioning of the male sex organs. Believed by some to reduce the effectiveness of chelation, a chemical intervention used to treat autism.
Therapeutic Listening Program - Training program which includes a form of auditory integration training
Therapy Dog - A dog that has been specially trained to act as a companion to the person with autism.
Thimerasol - A mercury-containing preservative. Widely used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines.
Tic - Condition in which a part of the body moves repeatedly, quickly, suddenly and uncontrollably. Tics can occur in any body part, such as the face, shoulders, hands or legs.
Toe Walking - Walking on toes, a common symptomatic problem in some children with autism
Tomatis Method - Auditory training method, similar to auditory integration training, in which a person with autism listens to a selection of music which has been modified.
Total Communicaton - Approach that makes use of a number of modes of communication such as signed, oral, auditory, written and visual aids, depending on the particular needs and abilities of the individual
Tourette’s Syndrome - Condition characterized by multiple tics characteristically involving the face and head.
Transfer Factor - Polypeptide secreted by lymphocytes that is capable of transferring immunity from one cell or individual to another
Trichuris Suis Ova (Pig Whipworm Larvae) - Sometimes used as a treatment for gastro-intestinal and immune problems.
Triglycerides - The main form of fat found in foods and the human body. Containing three fatty acids and one unit of glycerol, triglycerides are stored in adipose cells in the body, which, when broken down, release fatty acids into the blood. Triglycerides are fat storage molecules and are the major lipid component of the diet.
Tuberous Sclerosis - Rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow on vital organs. It commonly affects the central nervous system.
Turner's Syndrome - Rare chromosomal condition affecting girls where the second X chromosome is absent or abnormal. More common in girls with autism.
Sources: Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network