Glossary
CAMHSAcronym for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, services
within the UK National Health Service that assess and treat young people with
emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. Usually a
multi-disciplinary team including psychologists, psychiatrists and other
specialists. |
Candidate genes
A gene whose
function, or location on a chromosome, suggests that it might be associated
with a condition or disorder. |
Case studyIn-depth observation
and description of the specific characteristics of a selected individual.
Pooling of case study material across individuals may permit identification of
general features. The method is used by clinical practitioners, and in some
forms of research. |
ChelationAn approach which some
have misleadingly claimed alleviates or cures autism by eliminating ‘excess
toxins’ from the body. Described by the UK’s National Institution for Clinical
Excellence (NICE) as harmful and to be avoided. |
Child-centredA term describing
interventions which involve following the child's own interests and motivation
as a means of encouraging interaction and learning. (See also adult-directed approaches.) |
ChromosomesStructural units in
all living cells, composed of long strands of DNA along which genes are located.
(See also deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and genes.) |
CognitionThe psychological processes involved in thinking, learning, planning and problem-solving, and in the understanding and use of language. |
Cognitive styleCharacteristic
strategies or preferences for thinking and processing information. |
Co-morbidityA medical term for
the presence of one or more conditions or disorders alongside a primary
condition. In autism, epilepsy is a common co-morbid condition. |
Completion of training certificate requestI've been training for a long time, hope it's good |
ConcordanceThe extent to which
the same (or a similar) condition, characteristic or trait is present in both
members of a pair of twins or siblings. |
ContinuumA sequence of items or
entities running along a continuous scale such that differences between items
are gradual rather than abrupt. |
Control groupA group of
participants in an experiment or other systematic study used as a standard
against which others are measured. This could be a group who do not receive an
intervention, or it could be a group who do not have autism. |
Controlled studyA formal evaluation of an intervention, with more participants than a
pilot study. Typically it would involve two groups of participants on the
autism spectrum, matched for level of symptoms, age and IQ. One group receives
the intervention and the other receives no intervention or treatment as usual. Comparing
the groups’ skills and behaviours after the study permits efficacy of the
intervention to be evaluated. |
Coordinated Support Plan (CSP)A legal document in
Scotland drawn up by the local authority, after specialist reports are
obtained, which specifies the support a child or young person up to age 19
needs in school. |