Terms Glossary
AbnormalMuscleTone:
Muscle tone refers to the degree to which muscle is resistant to stretch. Muscle tone can be increased or decreased and can be one indicator of how a child's nervous system is developing. Children with abnormal muscle tone may benefit from physical therapy and/or occupational therapy
Alexithymia: AmbulatoryElectroencephalogram(EEG)
The lack of ability to recognize or describe one's own emotions
An ambulatory EEG is a test used to assess electrical activity in the brain over an extended period of time, often 24-72 hours, and can be done at home. This can help to identify seizure types and inform correct treatment An EEG is not considered a therapeutic technology, since its purpose is diagnostic.
AmericanAcademyofPediatrics(AAP)
A partnership of pediatricians that commit their efforts and resources to children's health, safety, and well-being.
Antecedent
A term used in ABA therapy Antecedents are events, action(s), or circumstances that occur before a behavior. By changing antecedents, we can often support positive changes in behavior.
Aphasia
The loss of the ability to understand or express speech is usually caused by brain damage.
AppliedBehaviorAnalysis(ABA)
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. ABA refers to a set of principles that focus on how behaviors change or are affected by the environment and how learning takes place. The goal of ABA is to establish and enhance socially important behaviors.
Apraxia/Dyspraxia
The difficulty of coordinating and carrying out sequences of movements.
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AsymmetricSittingPosture
Subtle differences in movement or posture can be a sign of developmental differences in a child. Some children who have autism or related neurodevelopmental conditions show early differences in their sitting posture, which may lean or tilt to one side
AttentionDeficitHyperactivityDisorder(ADHD)
ADHD is a condition marked by abrupt behavior, difficulty paying attention, and hyperactivity that interferes with functioning or development.
AugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication(AAC)
AAC refers to any methods (other than speaking) that can be used for communication. This may include modes of expression such as sign language, writing, typing, gestures, or the use of an electronic device that aids in communication.
AutismDiagnosticObservationSchedule(ADOS)
A tool for diagnosing and assessing autism The conduct consists of a series of structured and semi-structured tasks that involve social interaction between the examiner and the person under assessment.
AutismSpectrumDisorder(ASD)
A developmental disorder that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges.
AutonomicImbalance
An imbalance between the different nervous systems.
BehaviorAnalysis
A science rooted in the goal of seeking to understand people’s behavior.
BehaviorDisorder
Any constant and repeating pattern of behavior that violates societal norms or rules Seriously impairs a person’s functioning, or creates distress in others
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BehaviorIntervention
Interventions are designed to affect people’s actions Positive and negative reinforcement are used to reduce or modify unwanted behaviors.
BehaviorInterventionist(BI)
Part of the Cortica team; under the guidance of a BCBA, a BI seeks to address and eliminate or modify unwanted behaviors.
Biochemistry Biomedical
The science behind the chemical processes inside the body
The science behind the combination of biology and medicine focuses on the health of humans and animals.
BoardCertifiedBehaviorAnalyst(BCBA)
Part of the Cortica team; board-certified professional trained to provide and supervise behavior analysis
Bottom-upTherapy
The bottom section of the brain draws information from the senses, and includes areas responsible for impulses, automatic reflexes, memories and survival responses Bottom-up therapies including occupational therapy integrate the whole brain and focus on understanding sensations and emotions, improving body awareness and control, and cultivating mindfulness
CarePlanMeeting(CPM)
A meeting between a family and their Cortica medical provider to discuss the child's treatment and testing suggestions. The clinician explains the child’s diagnosis, offers advice for future evaluations and tests, and outlines a treatment plan.
CARS-2
CARS-2 (Childhood Autism Rating Scale 2) is a 15-item rating scale used to identify children with autism and rules out other developmental differences.
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CerebralPalsy
CertifiedOccupationalTherapyAssistant(COTA)
A congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture due to abnormal brain development ofter before birth. Part of the Cortica team; COTAs support occupational therapists.
ClinicalIntegrationMeeting(CIM)
Twice a year, families meet with senior members of the Cortica team to discuss a child's overall treatment, progress, and draft future goals for success.
ClinicalSocialWorker
A specialty within the profession of social work. Clinical social workers are devoted to helping people function the best they can in their environment.
Clonidine
A type of sedative and antihypertensive drug used to treat high blood pressure and ADHD.
CognitiveBehaviorTherapy
A form of treatment that has been proven to be effective for problems including depression, anxiety disorders, etc.
ComprehensiveABATherapy
The treatment of multiple affected domains, such as; cognitive, informative, social, emotional functioning, etc.
Consequence
Term used in ABA; the alteration of the environment following patterns of behavior.
Counseling
This is also known as psychotherapy or mental health counseling See: "Family Counseling."
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A substance in turmeric that may help to reduce inflammation. Several studies suggest that it might ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, like pain and inflammation.
DevelopmentalDelay
Refers to a child who has not gained the developmental skills expected of them, and whose progression through predictable developmental phases is slow, stops, or reverses.
DevelopmentalMilestones
Behaviors or skills exhibited by infants and children as they grow (e.g. crawling, babbling, walking).
DevelopmentalTherapies
This is Cortica's term for music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language therapy. For many children, these therapies are an essential part of an effective childhood autism treatment program.
DeviceTherapy
A type of neuromodulation therapy that can help reduce the body’s stress response.
DiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSM-5)
The DSM contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. It provides a common language for clinicians to talk about their patients and forms reliable diagnoses that can be used in the research of mental disorders.
Dopamine
A type of neurotransmitter. Dopamine is responsible for feelings of reward and motivation It also regulates body movements
Dyscalculia
A learning disorder characterized by difficulties with numbers and math.
Curcumin
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Dyslexia
A learning disorder characterized by difficulties with reading and spelling.
Dyspraxia
A difficulty with fine or gross motor skills that can impact the ability to learn. Also referred to as developmental coordination disorder.
EarlyInterventionProgram
Services or programs that support babies and young children with developmental delays.
Echolalia
A repetition of spoken words, often from film/TV or another person.
Elopement
The act of leaving a safe area.
EmotionalReactivity
The tendency to endure frequent and intense emotional arousal.
EmotionalWell-Being
The emotional quality of individual experiences, influenced by a change in demographics, economic, and specific factors.
Epilepsy
A neurological condition in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.
Evidence-Based
Practices or programs that are considered effective based on scientific evidence.
ExecutiveFunctioning
A set of mental skills that includes memory, flexible thinking, and selfcontrol. Difficulties with executive functioning can make it hard to focus, handle emotions, and follow directions
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ExpressiveLanguage
FamilyCounseling
The use of words (spoken and written) and gestures to share meaning with others. Provides knowledge and guidance to families to help children develop social skills, manage their feelings, and improve behaviors.
FamilyCounselor
Part of the Cortica team; family marriage therapists and clinical social workers who provide therapeutic support to the children we serve and their families.
FeedingTherapy
A specialized type of therapy that helps children learn how to eat or improve their current eating habits
FocusedABATherapy
Refers to treatment provided directly to a patient for a limited number of behavioral targets.
FoodSchool
Culinary school or classes that help develop cooking skills or practices for those who have autism.
FunctionalMedicine
An individualized, science-driven approach to holistic medical care.
GeneticTesting
A technique that studies DNA sequences to identify variations in genes. The results of genetic testing can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition.
GlobalDelay
A term describing when a child takes longer to reach certain development milestones than other children their age. This might include learning to walk or talk, movement skills, learning new things, and interacting with others socially and emotionally.
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Guanfacine
A medication used to treat ADHD, as part of a treatment plan including psychological, educational, and social measures Guanfacine affects receptors in the parts of the brain that strengthen memory, reduce distraction, and improve control.
HealthHistoryQuestionnaire
A set of questions that help medical professionals understand the person for whom they provide medical services.
Hyperlexia
The ability to read written language at a much higher level than the ability to understand spoken language.
Hypertonia
A very high level of muscle tone
Hypotonia
A very low level of muscle tone.
IndividualizedEducationPlan(IEP)
IntellectualDevelopmentalDisorder
A plan designed to protect children diagnosed with a delay during their early education. Differences that are present at birth and affect a person’s physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems.
InterdisciplinaryTherapy
A treatment model that integrates various approaches, such as ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, as part of a coordinated care plan
InternalWell-being
A state of calm, tranquillity and general relaxation achieved when a person feels at peace, centered, and balanced.
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InteroceptiveSystem
Detects information from internal organs including hunger, thirst, bathroom needs, etc
JointAttention
The process of one person alerting another to a stimulus nonverbally (e.g. pointing).
Lamictal
A medication, also called an anticonvulsant. Lamictal is used alone or with other medications to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children. Lamictal is also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder
Latrogenesis
A negative effect of an intervention.
LicensedMarriageandFamilyTherapist(LMFT)
Mental health professional trained in psychotherapy and family systems, with clinical practice experience.
MagneticResonanceImaging(MRI)
Uses a magnetic field and radio waves to generate images of the soft tissue within the body; can help identify seizure types.
Master'sofHealthAdministration(MHA)
A graduate-level degree that prepares professionals for leadership roles in the healthcare field. Places an emphasis on leadership, which may be helpful to current healthcare managers, as well as those looking to get started in the healthcare management field.
MedicationCheck
A discussion of a patient's complete set of medications.
MetabolicTesting
A blood test that measures sugar (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function.
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Methylphenidate
A central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control Methylphenidate is used to treat ADD, ADHD, and narcolepsy.
MitochondrialDysfunction
Mitochondria generate the energy needed to power cells, and dysfunction occurs when they don't work as well as they should. Some symptoms include developmental delays, seizures, hearing impairment, and language/social impairment.
ModifiedChecklistforAutisminToddlers(M-CHAT)
A screening psychological questionnaire that evaluates the risk of autism. The checklist is intended for toddlers between 16 and 30 months of age.
Multi-SpecialtyEvaluation(MSE)
An appointment type at Cortica; an MSE provides valuable information about a child's progress with the use of two or more therapy types.
MusicTherapy(MT)
A clinical, evidenced-based therapy that uses the tools of music to assess and target nonmusical skills.
N-acetylcysteine
Used by the body to build antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage. It may also help break up mucus in people with some lung diseases, like chronic bronchitis.
NarrativeTherapy
A method of therapy that encourages patients to share stories about their lives, and to use those stories in order to create positive change in their lives.
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NervousSystem
The body's command center, originating from the brain and including the spinal cord and nerves The nervous system controls much of what a person thinks and feels, and what the body does.
NeuralNetwork
Neurons and nerve cells in the human brain that transmit and process the information received from the senses
Neurobiology Neurodevelopment
The study of the nervous system and how the brain works.
The brain's process of neurological pathways that influence performance or functioning
NeurodevelopmentalDifference
Disabilities in the functioning of the brain affect a child's behavior, memory, or ability to learn.
NeurodevelopmentalEvaluation
A set of tests designed to assess all aspects of a child's development, including cognition, language, motor, and social skills
Neurofeedback
A device therapy/technology. A way to track brain activity or electrical activity of the nervous system. Formerly called EEG biofeedback.
Neurogenetic
Neurogenetics studies the role of genetics in the development and function of the nervous system.
NeurogeneticDisorder
A disease caused by a defect in one or more genes that affect the contrast and function of the neuroectoderm and its derivatives.
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Neurology
The study of the nervous system.
Neuromodulation
A technology that acts directly upon nerves. It changes nerve activity by delivering electrical or pharmaceutical agents directly to a target area.
Neurophysiology
The physiology of the nervous system.
Neuroscience
The scientific study of the nervous system as well as its structure, functions, and disorders.
Neurotherapy
Also called neurofeedback therapy, is a drug-free treatment that helps people improve their brain function.
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messengers that nerve cells, or neurons, use to communicate with each other.
Non-pharmacologicTreatments
Refers to interventions that do not involve the use of medications to treat pain.
Norepinephrine
A naturally occurring chemical in the body that acts as both a stress hormone and neurotransmitter. It's released into the blood as a stress hormone when the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.
NutritionalCounseling
A process by which a health professional with special training in nutrition helps people make healthy food choices and form healthy eating habits.
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NutritionalSupplement
A product added to the diet.
ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder(OCD)
A type of anxiety disorder that may cause unwanted thoughts or sensations. This can lead to a person feeling the need to do something repetitively.
OppositionalDefiantDisorder(ODD)
A behavior disorder characterized by frequent episodes of anger, deliberately irritating or hostile behavior, and a pronounced intolerance for authority
OccupationalTherapy(OT)
Part of the Cortica team; works to help children with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. It helps them do everyday things like eating, putting on shoes and socks, focusing on learning, writing, and playing with toys or other kids.
ParentorCaregiverEducation,Training,orCoaching PediatricNeurologist
Refers to involving the parents or caregivers in their child's ABA therapy.
A child neurologist, or pediatric neurologist, is a doctor who treats children who have problems with their nervous system. Problems in the nervous system can start in the brain, spine, nerves, or muscles. These can lead to problems such as seizures, headaches, or developmental delays.
Perseveration
PervasiveDevelopmentalDisorder(PDD)
The tendency to get a thought stuck in one's head and not be able to switch to another Refers to a group of disorders caused by delays in the development of social and communication skills.
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PharmacogenomicTesting
Also called pharmacogenomics, is the study of how genes affect the body's response to certain medicines
PhysicalTherapy(PT)
Part of the Cortica team; works to diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and to restore, maintain, and promote healthy physical functioning
Physiology
The scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system
ProprioceptiveSystem
Indicates the location of body parts in relation to each other based on information from muscles and joints.
Psychotherapy
Also known as talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. Helps eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase wellbeing and healing.
Quercetin
A plant pigment (flavonoid) that people sometimes take as a medicine. Used to manage a variety of issues, including heart and vessel problems, lowering blood pressure, allergies, disease prevention, etc.
ReceptiveLanguage RegisteredBehaviorTechnician(RBT)
The ability to understand words and language.
A BI who works one-on-one or in small groups with clients and their families dealing with learning behavioral challenges.
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RegisteredElectroencephalographicTechnologist(R.EEG.T)
A R.EEG.T. is a health professional who is trained to conduct EEG tests. They prepare the results of the test for interpretation by a neurologist.
RelationalWell-Being
The practice of building healthy, nurturing, and supportive relationships.
Risperidone(Risperdal)
A medication used to treat certain mental health conditions as well as autism. It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.
Savant Scripting
A person who is highly gifted in a specific field, like art or math.
A repetition of spoken words, often from film/TV or another person Scripting is common in autistic children and may help as a coping mechanism during times of stress or anxiety.
Seizure
A burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells. It may cause brief abnormalities in muscle tone or movements, behaviors, sensations, or states of awareness.
Self-StimulatoryBehavior(Stimming)
Refers to behaviors that involve repetitive movements or noises. In children with autism, stimming may be a reaction to overstimulation, understimulation, pain reduction, emotional management, or other conditions.
SensorimotorIntegration
Refers to the link between the central nervous system and the muscles (motor skills), and to the process of receiving information through our senses, interpreting it, and organizing it.
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SensoryOverresponsive
Refers to people who are quick to notice information received from their senses, and quick to respond to it
SensoryProcessingDisorder
A condition in which the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to sensory input.
SensoryUnderresponsive
Refers to people who do not notice and process information received from the senses as well They often seek extra sensory input, or they might need support from others to register sensory input.
SocialReciprocity
The back-and-forth dynamic of social interaction.
SocialSkillsTherapy/Training
Refers to a wide range of interventions and teaching methods used to help an individual understand and improve social skills.
SocialStory
A short story that portrays a social situation that a child affected by autism may encounter
SpeechDelay
When a child isn't developing speech and language at an expected rate.
Speech-LanguagePathologist
Part of the Cortica team; assesses, diagnoses, treats, and helps to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults.
Speech-LanguageTherapy(ST)
The assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders.
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SplinterSkill
An ability that is disconnected from its usual context and/or purpose.
StateofArousal
The state of feeling awake, activated, and highly reactive to stimuli.
Stroke
Occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.
Telehealth
Sometimes called telemedicine, telehealth is a way clients can receive care virtually.
TherapeuticTechnology
See: "Device Therapy "
TicDisorder
The sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that people repeat. People who have tics cannot stop their bodies from doing these things.
Top-DownTherapy
A therapeutic approach focusing on the top parts of the brain (the frontal lobes and the pre-frontal cortex), in order to help patients understand and improve their thought patterns, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.
TouretteSyndrome
A nervous system disorder involving repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. People who have Tourette syndrome often have tics.
TranscutaneousVagusNerveStimulation(tVNS)
A device therapy/technology, also known as cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES). This is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to target symptoms of autism.
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A sensory nerve that connects the brainstem to the body; responsible for some sensory activities and movement within the body.
VestibularSystem
A sensory system that detects movement and guides eye-hand movements; provides information from balance, gravity, and posture.
VinelandAdaptiveBehaviorSkills(VABS)
A test that measures changing behavior; aids in the diagnosis of intellectual and developmental differences.
WelcomeVisit
A telehealth appointment where families will meet with a nurse practitioner to review their priorities and their child’s needs. Cortica partners with families to handle insurance, scheduling, coordination, and other aspects to ensure a positive patient experience during this appointment and those that follow.
VagusNerve
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