Neurodiversity Multidisciplinary Team jargon buster

Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes, and help you stand up for your rights. Someone who helps you in this way is called your advocate.

This is the name for the NHS services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behaviour or mental health difficulties. You might also see CYPMHS used which stands for Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services.

This refers to specific abilities like attention, memory, language, understanding and reasoning.

A method used to help diagnose neurodiversity

This is an Education, Health and Care Plan for children and young people up to 25 years old. It is usually written by the local authority with you and your family and is designed to provide support within your education setting.

Looking at the whole thing rather than just part of it. Thinking about the whole of a person’s situation in life and not just a single part of it. Considering everything when choosing strategies for support.

This is a natural hormone produced in the brain which helps control the body’s sleep cycle.

An incorrect diagnosis.

This is an online form used to look at the different areas that a person may need support with.

This is a method of providing support by looking at a person’s individuals needs and requirements first.

A person may have difficulties or differences with some of their skills. This may include - language and communication, motor skills, sensory processing and learning.

A person whose brain works in ways that vary from the ‘typical’ or ‘neurotypical’ brain.

Neurodivergence means the brain processes information differently from what’s typical.

Not neurotypical! (See below). 

This term is a way of saying that human brains are different to each other. Neuro refers to the nervous system e.g. the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Diversity refers to variations and differences within a group. Examples of Neurodiversity can include Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Tourette’s Syndrome.

This term describes individuals whose brain functions and behaviours fit with societal norms. Neurotypical people make up most of the world’s population. (Societal norms – unwritten rules of behaviour that are considered acceptable and appropriate.)

The process of providing the body with enough food and water that is necessary for health and growth.

This means being involved to help make a positive change.

This is a team of professionals based at Southampton City Council, whose role is supporting those who may be neurodiverse.

A strategy is a change that can be made which will make a specific thing easier for an individual. An intervention is an action that addresses a specific problem or prevents a negative outcome.