ADHD & Neurodivergent Glossary

Plain-language definitions for the terms you'll encounter when learning about ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence.

A

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in attention regulation, impulse control, and activity levels. ADHD affects how the brain manages focus, motivation, and executive functions. It is not a deficit of attention but rather difficulty regulating where attention goes.

AuDHD

An informal term used by the neurodivergent community to describe someone who has both autism and ADHD. The combination creates a unique experience where traits of both conditions interact — for example, the ADHD need for novelty can conflict with the autistic preference for routine.

B

Body Doubling

The practice of working alongside another person (in person or virtually) to help sustain focus and motivation. The presence of another person provides enough external accountability to help initiate and continue tasks, even if neither person is working on the same thing.

D

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in motivation, reward, and attention. ADHD brains typically have differences in dopamine regulation, which affects the ability to sustain effort on tasks that don't provide immediate reward or stimulation.

E

Emotional Dysregulation

Difficulty managing emotional responses in proportion to the situation. Common in ADHD and autism, this can manifest as intense frustration, sudden mood shifts, rejection sensitivity, or difficulty calming down after being upset.

Executive Dysfunction

Difficulty with the brain's executive functions — planning, organising, starting tasks, switching between tasks, and managing time. Executive dysfunction is a core feature of ADHD and can make everyday tasks feel disproportionately difficult.

H

Hyperfocus

A state of intense, sustained concentration on a single task or activity. Despite the name "attention deficit," people with ADHD can become deeply absorbed in activities that are stimulating or interesting, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else including eating, sleeping, or other responsibilities.

M

Masking

The conscious or unconscious suppression of neurodivergent traits to appear neurotypical. Common in both ADHD and autism, masking is mentally exhausting and can lead to burnout. It is especially prevalent in women and those diagnosed later in life.

N

Neurodivergent

An umbrella term for people whose brain functions differently from what is considered typical. This includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurological differences. Neurodivergence is not a disorder but a natural variation in how brains work.

R

Rejection Sensitivity (RSD)

An intense emotional response to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure. Common in ADHD, rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) can cause sudden, overwhelming emotional pain that feels disproportionate to the triggering event.

S

Sensory Processing Differences

Variations in how the brain interprets sensory information — sounds, textures, lights, smells, and tastes. Both ADHD and autism can involve sensory sensitivities (hypersensitivity) or sensory seeking (hyposensitivity), which can significantly affect daily life and focus.

Stimming

Self-stimulatory behaviour such as fidgeting, tapping, rocking, or repeating sounds. Stimming helps regulate sensory input and emotions. While commonly associated with autism, many people with ADHD also stim — clicking pens, bouncing legs, or playing with fidget tools.

T

Task Paralysis

The inability to start or continue a task despite wanting to do it. Task paralysis occurs when the brain is overwhelmed by the size of a task, unclear next steps, or too many competing priorities. It is different from laziness — the desire to act is present but the ability to initiate is not.

Time Blindness

Difficulty perceiving the passage of time accurately. People with ADHD often struggle to estimate how long tasks will take, lose track of time during activities, or fail to notice time passing until deadlines are missed. It is a neurological difference, not carelessness.

W

Working Memory

The brain's ability to hold and manipulate information in the short term. ADHD often affects working memory, making it harder to follow multi-step instructions, remember what you were about to do, or keep track of information while performing a task.