Insight into various neurodivergent related terms.
Definition
Echolalia Pronunciation: ek-oh-LAY-lee-uh •. /ˌɛk.oʊˈleɪ.li.ə/ In Everyday Terms: Echolalia is when you repeat words, phrases, or sounds you've heard—sometimes right after hearing them, sometimes much later. It’s like your brain has an echo button, replaying things automatically or for comfort. You might repeat song
Definition
Sensory Gating In Everyday Terms: Sensory gating is your brain’s way of deciding which sights, sounds, and sensations deserve your attention and which ones should be filtered out. When sensory gating works well, you can focus on what’s important—like a conversation in a noisy café—without getting
Definition
Clutter Blindness In Everyday Terms: Clutter blindness is when you stop noticing the mess around you—even if it's piling up right in front of your eyes. Over time, your brain just tunes it out, and before you know it, stacks of papers, scattered clothes, or random items
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Emotional Contagion In Everyday Terms: Emotional contagion is when you "catch" someone else's feelings without even realizing it—like when a friend’s stress makes you feel anxious, or someone’s excitement suddenly lifts your mood. It's like emotions are contagious, and you absorb
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Social Hangover In Everyday Terms: A social hangover is that wiped-out feeling you get after spending too much time socializing—even if you had fun. It’s like your social battery is completely drained, and you need some serious alone time to recover. Whether it’s from a big event,
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Task Switching Fatigue In Everyday Terms: Task switching fatigue is that drained feeling you get when you’ve had to jump from one task to another all day long. Whether it’s bouncing between work emails, household chores, or different errands, constantly switching gears can leave you feeling mentally exhausted
Definition
Looping Thoughts In Everyday Terms: Looping thoughts are when your brain gets stuck on the same idea, worry, or memory, playing it over and over like a song stuck on repeat. Whether it’s replaying a conversation, obsessing over a mistake, or constantly thinking about an upcoming event, it can
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Low Frustration Tolerance In everyday terms: Low frustration tolerance is when even small obstacles can feel huge and incredibly frustrating. It’s like waiting in a long line and feeling like you might explode, or giving up on a task the moment it doesn’t go smoothly. When things don’
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Processing Speed In everyday terms: Processing speed is how fast your brain takes in, makes sense of, and responds to information. When it's slower than average, it can feel like the world is moving at double speed while you’re trying to catch up. Whether it’s following
Definition
In everyday terms: Autism (ASD) is when the brain processes information in a unique way—picking up on patterns, details, and possibilities that others might overlook. Everyday experiences, from social interactions to managing money, may feel either more intense or more methodical. Many individuals on the autism spectrum develop deep,
Definition
Understanding Its Impact for Neurodivergence In everyday terms: Parallel play is when you enjoy doing your own thing next to someone else doing their thing—without needing to interact much. It’s like working on your laptop while your friend reads a book beside you. You’re both in the
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Working Memory Deficits & Money In everyday terms: Working memory deficits are like having a mental sticky note that keeps falling off. You try to hold onto thoughts, tasks, or instructions, but they slip away before you can act on them. It’s that feeling of walking into a room