79. Glossary
The UK ADHD world has too many initials. Here are all of them, plain English.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The current diagnostic term covering three presentations, inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined.
ADD
The old name for what is now called inattentive-presentation ADHD. Not in current diagnostic manuals.
ASRS
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. The WHO six-question screener used as a starting point by GPs. Used in this playbook.
AuDHD
Informal term for someone who has both autism and ADHD. Many adults with ADHD are also autistic, though estimates vary widely between studies.
Body doubling
Working alongside another person (in real life or on video) to make starting a boring task easier. Focusmate is the popular app.
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. The NHS team that assesses and supports under-18s.
DLA
Disability Living Allowance, a benefit for under-16s with care or mobility needs.
DSA
Disabled Students' Allowances, UK government funding for university students with ADHD to cover equipment, coaching, and study support.
EHCP
Education, Health and Care Plan. A legally binding document for under-25s in England that sets out the support a child needs at school.
Executive function
The brain's set of skills for planning, starting tasks, managing time and managing emotions. These are often harder for people with ADHD.
Hyperfocus
Intense, sustained absorption in a task you find interesting. A common ADHD trait.
ICB
Integrated Care Board. The NHS body that funds and commissions services in your area, including ADHD assessments.
NICE
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The body that publishes the UK clinical guideline for ADHD (NG87).
Right to Choose
An NHS England policy letting you pick any NHS-contracted provider for your assessment. Drops typical waits from years to months.
RSD
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. A community term for intense sensitivity to perceived rejection or criticism. It is not a formal diagnosis in diagnostic manuals.
RTC
Shorthand for Right to Choose.
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. The teacher in every English school responsible for SEN support, including ADHD.
Shared care
An agreement where your private/RTC psychiatrist hands prescribing to your NHS GP so you pay NHS prices for medication.
Spoons / spoon theory
A metaphor for limited daily energy. ADHDers often start with fewer 'spoons' and burn through them faster.
Stimulants
Class of ADHD medication including methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). The most commonly prescribed type.
Titration
The medical process of slowly increasing a medication dose to find the right one for you. How long this takes varies.