Ableism: Discrimination in favour of non-disabled people. Often used interchangeably with Disablism.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

A neurodevelopmental condition with traits involving differences in attention, motivation, nervous activity and impulse control.

ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

A neurodevelopmental condition which affects how an individual interacts with the world. Traits commonly associated with autism include differences in sensory processing, imagination and a different relationship towards socialising and social identity. 

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)

The part of the NHS in the UK which provides services for young people struggling with their mental health.

Disablism

Discrimination or social prejudice against someone disabled which defines them solely by their disability or considers them inferior because of it. Often used interchangeably with Ableism.

DLA (Disability Living Allowance)

Government funding paid to the parent or carer of an under-16 whose health condition or disability means that they need extra looking after or support.

DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance)

Government funding which disabled students can apply to for equipment or funding to help with the additional costs they may face at university. 

EHC (Education, Health & Care plan)

A document which identifies the educational, health & social needs of a young person aged up to 25 whose needs are not met by SEN support alone, & sets out extra measures to meet those needs. 

Exam Access Arrangements / EAA

The extra adjustments that can be made in exams, usually where they would be at a disadvantage because of SpLD, mental or physical health issues. For example getting 25% extra time to sit a paper.

Neurodivergent

Someone whose brain functions, learns, and processes information in a way that is different to how society expects. Neurodivergence includes a range of conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorders, Autism, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia. It’s estimated that 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent. See ‘neurotypical’ below for a comparison.

Neurodiversity

The diversity and differences of human brains and minds, an essential part of what makes all of us different. There’s no single “normal” or “healthy” type of brain or one “right” style of thinking just like there’s no one “normal” or “right” gender, race or culture. This logic aims to challenge the stigma around being ‘different’ or ‘not normal’ because someone thinks in a particular way, e.g. SpLD, ASD. 

Neurodevelopmental

A description for some conditions (such as ADHD or ASD), that means the condition affects the brain and nervous system (neuro-) due to changes as people grow up and onwards throughout adulthood (-developmental). 

Neurotypical (often referenced as NT)

Used as a label for people whose brains process information in the way that society expects. I.E. they do not have a neurodivergent condition such as ASD or ADHD.

PIP (Personal Independence Payments)

Financial support from the UK government for over-16s living with long-term health conditions or disabilities affecting their daily life. 

Postgraduate

A person who has graduated from university having completed a bachelor’s degree (first cycle) and is now studying towards a master’s or PhD, or a course at these levels.

Reasonable adjustments

Changes that are made to accommodate disabled people such as wheelchair-accessible accommodation, extended library loans, or recorded teaching.

SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

The staff member in a school whose job is to arrange support for pupils with Special Educational Needs, including SpLD & ASD.

SEN(D) (Special Educational Needs (& Disabilities))

A learning difficulty or disability which means that someone needs special health & education support.

SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties)

An umbrella term covering a range of conditions which affect the way someone thinks and learns, potentially making skills like reading, writing or counting harder. The most widely-known example is dyslexia.

UCAS

The official organisation in the UK which manages applications to universities, colleges and some apprenticeships. 

Undergraduate

A person who has not yet graduated and is working towards a Bachelor’s degree (a ‘first cycle’ university degree which follows A levels, usually 3 or 4 years), or a degree course at this level.