FAQ

"Diagnostic evaluation", the process of diagnosing an individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It involves gathering information and assessing behavior, development, and social functioning to determine the characteristics and criteria for autism in an individual. The process usually begins with a comprehensive history, which involves compiling specialized diagnostic information about the individual's developmental history, medical history, behavioral patterns, and family history.

"Adaptive skills", also known as everyday living skills, refer to the skills that people use to function independently in daily life. These skills include various aspects, such as personal care, communication, social interaction, self-reliance, and the ability to flexibly perform tasks that are necessary to survive and thrive in society. Adaptive skills are essential for the daily functioning of people with autism and are often a major focus of (outpatient) guidance and support to help them lead full and independent lives.

"Autism", also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially, and behaves. It is often thought of as a "spectrum" because it includes a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of functioning. Read more

"Asperger's" was once a special diagnosis on the autism spectrum, but in recent diagnostic guidelines (DSM-5) it is included as a form of autism on the autistic spectrum. Asperger's syndrome was a subtype of autism distinguished by normal language development, but with difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Read more

“Obsessive-compulsive behavior,” also known as obsessive-compulsive behavior, can occur in some cases in people with autism. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and autism share some specific characteristics such as rigid behavior patterns. In OCD, these patterns can manifest as obsessions (repetitive and unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive actions to reduce the obsessions). People with autism often exhibit repetitive behavior as one of their core characteristics.

“Context blindness,” People with context blindness have difficulty perceiving and understanding the broader social and communication context in which interactions occur. For example, they may have difficulty understanding nonverbal cues, body language, facial expressions, and the implicit cues behind conversations. Context blind individuals tend to take information literally and may have difficulty recognizing figurative language, sarcasm, or indirect communication. They often have difficulty predicting social events and may react unexpectedly to situations. Context blindness may contribute to social difficulties in people with autism, such as difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, participating in group conversations, and understanding social norms.

"Central Coherence" is the way that people process and understand information. Normally, people make connections between different pieces of information to help them understand what is happening. For example, if you watch a movie, you will understand the events in the movie by comparing and connecting the different scenes. For people with autism, this process can be difficult. They may have difficulty making connections between different pieces of information, which can lead to difficulties understanding what is happening. Read more

"Executive Functions", Executive functions (Ozonoff et al.) are mental skills that we use to plan, organize, prioritize, allocate, and complete tasks. Some people with autism may have difficulty using these executive functions. Read more

"Idiosyncratic meaning making", People with autism sometimes give unique or idiosyncratic meaning to certain things. They may interpret words, objects, and situations differently than people without autism. This comes from their individual way of perceiving and understanding the world around them. For example, imagine that someone with autism really likes a specific color, say yellow. This person might associate the color yellow with happiness, peace, or positive memories, while others might see the same color as just any color. This unique interpretation of the color and the emotions that are associated with it is an example of idiosyncratic meaning making in autism.

"Basic calm", the need of many people with autism for a calm, predictable and structured environment in order to function optimally. This term represents the importance of creating an environment in which stimuli and stressors are kept to a minimum, allowing someone with autism to feel more comfortable and relaxed. Read more

Burnout is a state of complete exhaustion, both physically and mentally. It is characterized by overwhelming fatigue, cynicism, and reduced self-confidence regarding one's abilities. Originally, the term was mainly associated with work-related stress, but today it also includes other complaints such as sleep problems, irritability, memory and concentration problems, sadness, and anxiety. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have an increased risk of burnout when under persistent stress. This may be related to their sensitivity to stimuli, intensive information processing, and difficulty with social interactions. In addition, people with autism share certain personal characteristics with people who are susceptible to burnout, such as perfectionism, loyalty, and drive. These characteristics cost a lot of energy and can lead to exhaustion after a day at work. It is important to emphasize that burnout is not an official diagnosis, like autism. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), burnout, like overstrain, falls under the so-called adjustment disorder. However, the symptoms of burnout can be serious and affect daily functioning. People with autism must be extra alert to stress and seek help in time to prevent burnout. In addition, autism and depression or burnout often go together. Due to rapid overstimulation and overload, people with autism are more susceptible to depressive symptoms. It is not unusual for young people with autism to experience symptoms of depression before the age of 20. It is therefore very important that people with autism and their environment are alert to signals of overload and seek professional support in time.

"Pervasive Developmental Disorder", this was a diagnosis used for individuals who exhibited certain features of autism but did not meet the criteria for other disorders within the autism spectrum. The term PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) means in Dutch: Pervasive Development Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified. However, this diagnosis is no longer used and has been partially replaced by the broader diagnosis "Autism Spectrum Disorder."

“Inertia,” as it relates to autism, refers to the tendency for people with autism to sometimes have difficulty initiating new tasks or changing their routine. This may be related to the need for predictability and structure that often comes with autism. It can sometimes take a little longer for someone with autism to adjust to changes or new situations. It is important to be autism-friendly by being patient and supportive when helping someone with autism deal with inertia.

"Pragmatic communicative elements", refer to the social aspects of communication, including: Turn-taking: People with autism may have difficulty recognizing the right moments to speak or listen in a conversation. For example, they may have difficulty waiting their turn or taking over the conversation unexpectedly. Eye Contact: Many people with autism have difficulty making and maintaining eye contact during conversation, which is considered an important social signal in many cultures. Nonverbal cues: They may have difficulty understanding and appreciating nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures. Empathy and Context Sensitivity: Understanding the emotions and needs of others in a social context may be essential for people with autism.

"Paralinguistic communicative elements" refer to the way something is said, apart from the words themselves. This includes things like: Tone and Intonation: People with autism may have difficulty understanding the fundamental changes in tone and intonation that can convey emotion and intent in speech. They may have difficulty recognizing sarcasm or humor in the tone of voice. Volume and speed: Some people with autism speak very slowly or very quickly, which can be difficult for others to communicate with. Pauses and Rhythm: They may have difficulty understanding the rhythm of a conversation, which can lead to difficulties in judging when to respond.