Glossary of scientific terms

Fine motor: Relating to the use of the small muscles of the body, such as those in the hands, feet, fingers, and toes.

Fragile X syndrome: An inherited chromosomal abnormality that leads to learning difficulties and mental handicap. So called because the X chromosome possesses a site of fragility.

Frontal lobes: The front parts of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, responsible for many higher cognitive functions (complex, reasoning, planning, etc).

Genetic: Inherited.

Generalization: Transferring a skill taught in one place, or with one person, to other places and people.

Graduated guidance: Systematically and gradually reducing the amount of physical guidance used.

Gross motor: Relating to the use of the large muscles of the body.

Handicapped: Refers to people who have some sort of disability, including physical disabilities, mental retardation, sensory impairments, behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and multiple handicaps.

Hepatitis: An inflammation of the liver.

Herpes encephalitis: A brain infection resulting from a type of herpes virus (different from the herpes virus responsible for the sexually transmitted disease herpes). The brain infection often damages the regions of the brain responsible for memory.

Histidinaemia: A term that refers to an elevated level of histidine (an amino acid) in the blood. It is usually benign, but has been reported in conjunction with autism.

Holding therapy: A controversial treatment advocated for autism. It entails physically forcing the child to hold and look at the parents.

Hyperactivity: A term used to refer to a syndrome of over-activity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. The hyperactivity has to occur across a number of different situations for it to be significantly abnormal.

Hyperkinetic disorder with stereotypies: Extreme hyperactivity coupled with stereotyped and repetitive behaviour.

Identification: The determination that a child should be evaluated as a possible candidate for special education services.

IEP: Individualized Education Program. The written plan that describes what services the local education agency has promised to provide your child.

Imitation: The ability to observe the actions of others and to copy them in one’s own actions. Also known as modeling.

Input: Information that a person receives through any of the senses (vision, hearing, touch, feeling, smell) that helps that person develop new skills.

Insistence on sameness: A tendency in many people with autism to become upset when familiar routines are changed.

Interdisciplinary team: A team of professionals who evaluate your child and then develop a comprehensive summary report of his or her strengths and needs.

Interpretive: The sessions during which parents and teachers review and discuss the results of a child’s evaluation.

IQ: Intelligence Quotient. This is a measure of intellectual ability derived from the administration of standardized tests of different aspects of cognition and language