Glossary of Terms

Acquired neurodivergence pertains to changes in an individual’s cognition resulting from injury, illness, or disease.

An assessment of need is a process conducted by an Access to Work assessor and an employee to identify the support an individual may require to fulfill their job role.

Belonging in the workplace involves creating an environment where individuals feel respected, valued, and able to be their authentic selves.

An individual’s condition can encompass their physical, mental, and emotional state of health. This includes factors such as overall fitness, the presence of illnesses or diseases, mental well-being, and any other health-related considerations.

Co-occurrence refers to the presence of more than one form of neurodiversity at the same time, such as ADHD and dyslexia.

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) arises from enduring traumatic events over an extended period of time. It differs from PTSD, which often results from a single incident. C-PTSD symptoms include emotional instability, feelings of worthlessness, trust issues, and relationship difficulties. This condition significantly affects daily life and requires treatment.

Dysgraphia is a form of neurodiversity relating to difficulties in writing, originating from differences in visual processing abilities.

Dyslexia is a learning difference relating to an individual’s ability to process written and spoken language, often manifesting as challenges in reading, writing, and spelling.

The Equality Act (2010) is a legal framework that protects individuals’ rights and promotes equal opportunities.

Innovative thinking is the ability to devise new and creative solutions to problems or challenges.

Intersectionality refers to the interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, gender, and class and how these overlapping identities can result in unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

Masking is a form of social camouflage where an individual unconsciously or consciously mimics behaviours and communication styles that may be considered the social norm.

An individual who identifies as having different cognitive functioning than someone who is considered neurotypical.

A group of neurodivergent individuals.

Neurotypical is a term that relates to individuals whose cognitive functioning aligns with what is considered standard or typical by societal norms.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterised by unwanted intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours or mental acts. Individuals with OCD may find these thoughts and compulsions distressing and time- consuming, significantly impacting daily life.

Perfectionism arises when individuals set high standards for themselves and others, and it can manifest in various settings, such as work and personal life.

The Processing Speed Index is one component of a standard IQ test that measures how quickly an individual can process and respond to information. This test assesses a person’s ability to quickly and accurately complete cognitive tasks such as identifying patterns, making decisions, and solving problems under time constraints.

The Equality Act (2010) outlines nine protected characteristics that safeguard against discrimination. These include race, gender, age, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is a condition characterised by extreme emotional sensitivity and pain triggered by feelings of rejection or criticism.

Resilience is the ability to overcome or endure difficult experiences.

Sensory overload is when a person experiences an overwhelming amount of sensory input, which can include stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, crowded spaces, and other sensory information.

The social model of disability suggests that disability is not caused by the individual’s differences but by social barriers and attitudes that exclude them. It emphasises that removing societal barriers, can enable participation and equality for all.

Working memory is a cognitive system that enables individuals to temporarily store and manipulate a limited amount of information. It allows for the active maintenance of relevant information during the execution of tasks and plays a crucial role in decision-making, problem-solving, and comprehension.