autism

[ aw-tiz-uhm ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. a developmental disability of highly variable presentation, commonly characterized by social and communication differences, repetitive behaviors, intense specialized interests, and differences in sensory processing; autism spectrum disorder.
2. Sometimes classic autism. (no longer in clinical use) a developmental disability that commonly manifests in early childhood, characterized by repetitive or restricted behaviors, differences in understanding social interactions, and delayed development of linguistic and cognitive abilities: formerly contrasted with Asperger syndrome.

autism

/ ˈɔːtɪzəm /

noun

1. psychiatry a developmental disorder whose symptoms include difficulty in responding conventionally to people and actions and limited use of communication

Usage

Rather than talking about an autistic or autistics , it is better to use phrases such as a person with autism and people with autism

Derived Forms

• auˈtistic, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• au·tist [aw, -tist], noun
• au·tis·tic [aw-, tis, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of autism¹

First recorded in 1910–15, for an earlier sense; coined in 1944 by Austrian-American psychiatrist Leo Kanner (1894–1981), for the current sense (in the phrase infantile autism ); from German Autismus (in the earlier sense), from New Latin; aut- + -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of autism¹

C20: from Greek autos self + -ism

Example Sentences

She says the incidents - which included lashing out at staff - are related to his autism, which was recently diagnosed.

From BBC

Multiple studies since, across many countries, have concluded there is no link between vaccines and autism.

From BBC

He said Woodward was a socially awkward young man who suffered for years with undiagnosed autism and felt a “starvation for human connection” exploited by the extremist group.

From Los Angeles Times

The legislature also refused to have Roberson appear virtually because he has autism and he is not familiar with modern technology after spending 20-plus years in prison.

From BBC

Drexel Autism Institute found that the use of standardized autism screening during pediatric well-child visits identifies more children with high autism likelihood at a younger age, including those presenting with more subtle symptoms.

From Science Daily