Glossary

Generalisation is when a skill or response is capable of transfer to a different situation or context, e.g. one that is more complex, more ‘real-life’ or involves interacting with different people.

Genes are small sections of very long molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Genes contain the instructions for proteins, which in turn act as the ‘building blocks’ for the development and functioning of all living organisms.

Refers to the influence that genes have on physical and psychological traits. Gene variants inherited from one or both biological parents influence susceptibility to autism.

The term for a condition or disorder in which variants of different genes are involved in different individuals. Except in rare cases, autism is genetically heterogeneous: the genes that play a role in one individual’s autism are likely to be different from the genes involved in another individual’s autism.