T

Tardive dyskinesia

A side-effect of some anti-psychotic drugs whereby an individual experiences repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements.

TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication-Handicapped Children)

An approach developed by the Department of Psychiatry of the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina in the USA whereby structured teaching and a structured environment are used to enhance the skills, cognitive ability and behaviour of people with autism.

Testosterone

The main male sex hormone which is believed by some people to influence the severity of the experiences of autism on an individual with autism.

Theory of mind

The ability to understand that others have different thoughts and beliefs than oneself.

Therapeutic listening

An auditory integration training programme.

Theraplay

A form of relationship-based therapy which uses play to emphasize the bond between a person with autism and another person.

Thought-bubble training

A theory of mind training whereby a person with autism is helped to work out what other people might be thinking or feeling.

Tinted lens

A coloured filter worn in spectacles to block wavelengths of light to which an individual might be sensitive.

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

An intervention whereby rapidly changing magnetic fields are used to excite neurons.

Tomatis method

A type of auditory integration training where an individual listens to music which has been modified.

Tourette syndrome

A condition whereby the individual experiences involuntary movements, especially of the face and head, and involuntary speech or sounds.

Triad of impairments

Three of the essential features of autism: impairments in social interaction, social communication and imagination.

Tryptophan

An amino-acid in proteins which is a precursor to serotonin. See serotonin.

Tuberous sclerosis

A rare genetic condition which causes benign tumors to grow on vital organs and can affect the central nervous system.

Turner’s syndrome

A rare condition which affects the X chromosome in girls and can cause short stature and non-functioning ovaries.