Glossaryfor the Autism-Mercury list, mercury detox in general, and biomedical treatments for autism spectrum disorders......
The following terms are used on the autism-mercury list. (Some are generally used internet words, some are specific to chelation, etc.)  The definitions given should be taken as approximate, please.   If you can provide a more precise or correct definition, please do: moriam@earthlink.net    Also send any suggestions for additional terms to add to the list.

last updated 11/23/2003 by Moria Merriweather.
copyright June 2002, March 2003, November 2003 Moria Merriweather
 

First, let me direct you to some additional sources of information:

Here is an online medical dictionary.  Their definitions for many of the terms listed here will be much better than mine are. I tried it and found they have reasonable and useful definitions. http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/index.html

Here is a list of MANY specialized online medical dictionaries. May be useful if you are looking for something REALLY specialized: http://www.yourdictionary.com/diction5.html#medicine

Here is a list of internet abbreviations:
http://autismhelpforyou.com/email_acronyms.htm

Here are some lists of autism-related abbreviations :
http://autismhelpforyou.com/autism_acronyms_used_in_email.htm
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/acronyms.htm
http://www.autism-resources.com/autismfaq-glos.html
http://www.tayloredmktg.com/dyspraxia/abbrev.html
http://www.apraxia-kids.org/definitions/acronyms.html
http://web.syr.edu/~rjkopp/data/abbreviations.html
http://www.geocities.com/southerncaliapraxia/acronyms.htm
http://www.geocities.com/arnfl/abbrndefine.html
http://autismfamilycircle.com/abbreviations.html

Here are some sources of info on computer-related, disability-related, and education-related acronyms:
http://www.danasview.net/parent2.htm#ieps Scroll down to find the section "acronyms"

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3/4 or 3/11 or 7/7 or other numeric representations of this type - this is a "shorthand" for the length of a chelation "cycle". The first number represents the number of days ON the chelator; the second number represents the number of days off.  For example, "I'm chelating using 3/11" means "I give or take the chelator for 3 days, then I don't give or take it for 11 days".
ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis.  A form of interactive therapy commonly used with autistic children.
acrodynia - also known as Pink disease - a disorder which was (in the past) caused by teething powders which contained mercury.
ADD  - attention deficit disorder (a diagnosis)
ADHD - attention deficit hyperactive disorder (a diagnosis)
AFP Peptizyde - a enzyme product made by Houston Nutraceuticals. Related to Peptizyde, but made without the fruit enzymes papain and bromelain, for kids who don't tolerate the fruit ingredients. AFP = all fungal protease.
AIT - Auditory Integration Therapy
AKG - Alpha Ketoglutaric Acid
ALA - alpha lipoic acid - a chelator. see also http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_buy_DMSA.html alternate meaning: the abbreviation ALA is also used for "alpha lenoleic acid" which is an essential fatty acid.  On this list it is NOT used to mean this (almost never)-- rather, it is used for alpha lipoic acid, the chelator. This list is about chelation. However, you might see the other meaning (referring to the essential fatty acid) in books, or on supplement labels, etc.
amalgam - a silver-colored material used for dental fillings, which is over 50% mercury
Amy Holmes or Dr. Amy or Dr. Holmes - A very well known DAN! doctor, whose practice focused on children with ASD. http://www.healing-arts.org/children/holmes.htm   Dr Amy is no longer practicing medicine.
Andy or Andy Cutler or Andrew Hall Cutler - see description here: http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/ANDY_INDEX.html  (look for "who is Andy Cutler?")
AS - asperger's syndrome (a diagnosis). A high-functioning form of autism.
ASD - autism spectrum disorder (a group or range of disorders)
ATEC score - ATEC is the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, a system for rating symptoms of autism. See http://www.autism.com/ari/atec.html
BAL - a chelation agent. (used more in the past)
BBB - short for "blood-brain barrier".  A fatty membrane which separates the brain's cells from elements in blood.
BodyBio -  an organization which uses a treatment plan which involves nutritional supplements. http://www.bodybio.com/  Discussion of BodyBio and Kane on the autism-mercury list has been highly inflammatory, at times, in the past.
Bio-Chelate - a product which claims to chelate heavy metals  http://www.targetyourhealth.org/
BTW- short for "by the way"
CAPD - Central Auditory Processing Disorder.  (a diagnosis.) A disorder in which the individual is unable to process some kinds of auditory information.
challenge test - A test in which a chelation agent is used prior to testing. Usually a urine test. Usually done using unsafe dosage and dose timing. Also called a "provoked" or provocation test.
chelation -  [pronounced: Kee - LAY- shun] -  As used on this list, it means mercury detoxification, or heavy metal detoxification.  There is also a form of chelation that is done to clear blocked arteries of cholesterol/plaque. (This is not usually discussed on this list.) Chelation also has other, more precise, chemical meanings or implications.
chelating - this can be used in a general way "Mary has been chelating her son." or it can be used to refer to just the time period when one is actively doing chelation (the "on" part of the cycle),  e.g. "I am chelating today".
chelator or chelation agent - a drug, supplement or substance used to remove mercury or other metals.  To be a mercury chelator, an agent
needs to have 2 thiol groups. Again, there is also a meaning (not usually used on this list) which refers to cholesterol chelation.  See "chelation"
Chemet - a brand of DMSA.  This is the same as saying "DMSA", it is simply the product name of a specific prescription form of DMSA.
CLO - short for Cod Liver Oil. (A supplement used to provide vitamin A and D.)
"counting rules" - A set of guidelines for interpreting a DDI hair test. Invented by Andy Cutler.  The "rules" tell you specific values to "count". See: http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_hair_test.html
cysteine - has something to do with sulfur. NOT the same as cystine.  Andy recommends a plasma cysteine test to find out if a child/adult is "high sulfur" or "low sulfur".  (see http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/ANDY_INDEX.html for further details. Look for the section about sulfur and thiols.)
DAMS - an organization: Dental Amalgam Mercury Syndrome. 800-311-6265
DAN or DAN!  - an organization, "Defeat Autism Now". See http://www.autism.com/ari/
DAN doctor - a doctor who is listed on DAN's list of doctor. This does not imply certification. See http://home.pacbell.net/cscomp/dan01doc.htm regarding DAN doctor's not being certified. See http://www.autism.com/ari/ for a link to a list of DAN doctors. See
http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_find_doctor.html for more info on doctors, in general
DAN protocol - a treatment protocol created by DAN!  There is a general DAN protocol for the treatment of autism (including diet, testing for yeast, etc.). There is also a DAN protocol for mercury chelation.  As used on the list, "DAN protocol" generally refers to the DAN mercury detox protocol.
dd or DD - stands for Dear Daughter or Darling Daughter. I have also heard it used for Developmentally Delayed!
DDI - Doctors Data Inc. - a lab that does testing of hair, urine, blood, etc.  See http://www.doctorsdata.com/ also see  http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_hair_test.html
dh or DH - Dear Husband or Darling Husband
DLS or Direct Lab Services -- a company that does testing. See http://directlab.com and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/files/HOW_TO_hair_test for more information
dmg - dimethylgycline
DMPS - a chelator -- Sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate   see also http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_buy_DMSA.html
DMSA - a chelator -- Dimercaptosuccinic acid. see also http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_buy_DMSA.html
ds or DS - stands for Dear Son or Darling Son
DX or Dx - short for "diagnosis"
dyslexia - a diagnosis
EDTA - a chelation agent, particularly used for chelating cholesterol/plaque deposits (in the arteries).
EFA - Essential Fatty Acid.  Stuff that is a part of fats/oils and which are required in the diet for health. Includes "omega 3" and "omega 6" acids.
ELD - Expressive Language Delay (a diagnosis)
FGF2 - "Fibroblast Growth Factor 2". An "alternative" or biomedical treatment for autism. FGF2 is an injectable intramuscular bovine protein which is used to stimulate growth of new neural connections in the damaged areas of the brain.  http://www.iinedec.org
FWIW - short for "for what it's worth"
GDD - Global Developmental Delay (a diagnosis)
GFCF or GF/CF - gluten free casein free diet
glutathione - a supplement. Lots of sulfur.
GSDL - Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab - a lab that does testing of hair, urine, blood, etc.
GSE - GrapeFRUIT Seed Extract. (NOTE: this is NOT the same as Grape Seed Extract!)  An OTC substance used for combating yeast.  See http://www.danasview.net/yeast.htm
HF - high functioning
HFA - high functioning autism (a diagnosis)
HFS - abbreviation for Health Food Store
HTH - abbreviation for Hope That Helps or Hope This Helps
homeopathic or homeopathy or homeopathic remedy - Homeopathy is a school of medicine, based on treating symptoms with minute amounts of those agents which CAUSE the symptoms.  Homeopathic remedies often do not contain a detectable level of the agent being used (they are extremely diluted.)
hot lots - lots or batches of vaccines that have larger-than-average number of negative reports. [ I do not think this is a very precise definition (someone correct me, please!) ]  There is also some contention (from officialdom) whether such a thing as "hot lots" exist. see: http://www.909shot.com/Issues/hotlots.htm   A list of "hot lots" can be found at: http://www.vaers.org/data.htm
Houston Nutraceuticals Inc or HNI - company that makes enzyme products. See http://www.houstonni.com The principal is Devin Houston.
IEP - Individual Education Plan
IMHO - short for "in my humble opinion"
IMO - short for "in my opinion"
JMO - short for "just my opinion"
Kirkman - company that sells supplements (etc.) for autistic children/adults. http://www.kirkmanlabs.com/
LD - Learning Disability
LOL - short for "lots of laughs"; often used in ironic or sarcastic context.  Or (alternate): Laughing Out Loud.
metal free - a product sold which says it chelates heavy metals. One of a few products which come up on the list repeatedly.  http://www.bodyhealth.com
metallothionein - a metal storage protein. (see also MT listings)
MIL - short for "mother in law"
MT - short for metallothionein. (see metallothionein).
MT deficiency or MT dysfunction - There is a general opinion that many children with autism have an MT deficiency.  There are also THEORIES that say that this results in an inability to detox mercury/metals, and there are THEORIES that say that mercury toxicity results in MT deficiency. According to Pfeiffer Treatment Center: "most autism-spectrum patients exhibit evidence of an MT dysfunction"
MT primer and MT promoter - A form of therapy that is supposed to correct MT deficiency.  This is largely promoted by Bill Walsh and Pfeiffer. See also http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/files/INDEX_MT
milk thistle - a herbal supplement, good for the liver. Made from the seeds of milk thistle plant.
NAC - a supplement. Lots of sulfur.
NAET -  Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique; a technique used to eliminate or reduce allergies. Considered "alternative". Involves muscles testing, and stimulation of acupuncture points (by rubbing or with needles).
NDF - a product sold which says it chelates heavy metals. One of a few products which come up on the list repeatedly. http://www.bioray2000.com http://www.healthydetox.com
NIDS - an organization - Nuero Immune Dysfunction Syndrome - Principal is Michael Goldburg http://www.nids.net/
No-Fenol  - a enzyme product made by Houston Nutraceuticals. It is used to reduce the effects of phenols in foods.
NT - neurological typical ("not autistic")
OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  A diagnosis.
off or "off" - refers to time when one is not taking a chelator. e.g. "my son shows improvement during the off time."
OMG -  short for Oh My God.
on or "on" -  refers to time when one IS taking a chelator. e.g. "I feel tired and cranky when during the on cycle"
OT: - short for "off topic". Usually used in the "subject" of a post, e.g. "OT: movies about autism". Another meaning is: Occupational Therapy, or Occupational Therapist
OTC - "over the counter".   This means the substance can be obtained without a prescription. e.g. "I'm using OTC yeast remedies."
Patricia Kane or Pat Kane - Director of an organization BodyBio.  This is a treatment plan which involves nutritional supplements. Discussion of BodyBio and Kane on the autism-mercury list has been highly inflammatory in the past. http://www.bodybio.com/drkane.html
Pb - the (toxic) element lead
phenols - a component of foods, which some or many ASD children are reactive to. See PST deficiency. See http://www.danasview.net/phenol.htm
Plumbiferous - containing lead
Plumbism - lead poisoning
PCA or PCA-Rx- a product sold which says it chelates heavy metals. One of a few products which come up on the list repeatedly.  PCA is made by Maxam labs http://www.maxamlabs.com
PD - Parkinson's Disease. A diagnose. (generally of adults, I believe.)
PDD - pervasive developmental disorder or pervasive developmental delay (a diagnosis)
PDD-NOS - PDD not otherwise specified (a diagnosis)
Peptizide or Pep - a enzyme product made by Houston Nutraceuticals
Pfeiffer Treatment Center - http://www.hriptc.org/
pink disease - also called acrodynia  - a disorder which was (in the past) caused by teething powders which contained mercury.
plasma cysteine - A blood test of cysteine level. Andy recommends a plasma cysteine test to find out if a child/adult is "high sulfur" or "low sulfur".  Cysteine has something to do with sulfur. NOT the same as cystine!! (see http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/ANDY_INDEX.html for further details. Look for the section on sulfur and thiols.)
porphyria - any of a group of disorders involving excess accumulation of porphyrins
porphyrin - a chemical containing a porphyrin ring which is composed of four linked pyrrole rings.  Porphyrins are found in various blood and respiratory pigments and are the basis of heme (part of the bloods haemoglobin which carries oxygen to body tissue)
POV - short for "point of view", e.g. from "my POV, that seems silly."
probiotics - living agents which are supportive of colon health. Lactobacillus acidophilus is probably the best known probiotic organism. Used to help maintain healthy balance of yeast.
provoked test - A test in which a chelation agent is used prior to testing. Usually a urine test. Usually done using unsafe dosage and dose timing. Also called a "challenge" test.
PST deficiency - a condition of intolerance of phenols in food, or difficulty with processing of phenols in foods.
Rhogam - an injectable agent used during pregnancy when the Rh factor of the mother and fetus conflict. Often contains thimerosal (mercury).
RLD - Receptive Language Delay (a diagnosis)
round or round of chelation - Refers to a period of taking/giving a chelation agent, followed by a period of not taking/giving a chelation agent.  The period of taking/giving a chelation agent is usually a few days. Chelation proceeds in a series of these "rounds". See also on, off and 3/4 (in this glossary)
Rx - prescription, or agent which requires a prescription.  e.g. "DMPS requires an Rx in the US."
SAHM - Stay At Home Mom
SCD - Specific Carbohydrate Diet -- See  http://www.scd.freeuk.com/
SID - Sensory Integration Disorder (a diagnosis)
secretin - an "alternative" or biomedical treatment for autism. Secretin is a natural hormone that acts as a neuro-transmitter. It is present in the gut, and signals the pancreas to release digestive enzymes when food enters the small intestine. It is also present in the brain.  Secretin is currently being studied by Repligen:  http://www.repligen.com/
SNT - Super NuThera - a supplement formula made by Kirkman's
stim (or stims or stimming) - short for "self stimulation" or, something like that.   It refers to a whole range of behavior--- hand flapping, rocking, hair twirling-- things someone does for stimulation-- I think of it as "in a self-aborbed way".
SSRI - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.  A type of antidepressant drug.
"the counting rules" - A set of guidelines for interpreting a DDI hair test. Invented by Andy Cutler.  The "rules" tell you specific values to "count". See: http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_hair_test.html
thimerosal - a preservative which contains mercury, used in vaccines and other products.
thiol - (from Andy:) A sulfur with a hydrogen stuck to it, and then it is stuck to an organic molecule.  The sulfur + hydrogen is the thiol group.
TIA - abbreviation for "thanks in advance"
TTFD - thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide: the "synthetic counterpart" of allithiamine, which is a disulfide derivative of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is the substance that occurs naturally in garlic. A number of doctors and others use TTFD and believe it is a chelator.
tincture - an herbal extraction, made with alcohol, vinegar, glycerin, etc.
titer - a type of test to check existing immunity level. For example, some kids don't need vaccine boosters because they already have adequate immunity.
tmg - trimethylglycine
unprovoked test - A test in which a chelation agent is NOT used prior to testing. Just a "regular" test. See also provoked test and challenge test.
VRP - Vitamin Research Products -- a company that sells supplements, including DMSA.
y.o. or YO  - short for year old; e.g. "I have a 10 YO son"
Zyme Prime or Zyme or ZP - a enzyme product made by Houston Nutraceuticals