autism
nounUK /ˈɔːtɪzəm/ · AU, UK, NZ /ˈoːtɪzəm/
Etymology Borrowed from German Autismus, coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, first usage dated to 1907 attributed by Carl Jung as an alternative of his for "auto-erotism", although Bleuler himself differentiates the terms in his book Dementia Praecox, first published 1911. From Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós, “self”) + -ισμός (-ismós, “-ism”).
Clinical psychology, Human sciences, Psychology, Sciences Usually Autism spectrum disorder, a condition characterized by impairment in social communication and interaction, as well as a need or strong preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences, focused interests, or repetitive behaviours. This includes classic autism as well as other, previously distinct disorders such as Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
Clinical psychology, Human sciences, Psychology, Sciences Dated, Usually Classic autism, a pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication patterns (e.g., differences in body language or eye contact), delayed language development, and sensory processing sensitivities.
- Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism.2013 June 29, “A punch in the gut”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, London: The Economist Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 27 Jul 2023, pages 72–3:
Clinical psychology, Human sciences, Psychology, Sciences Obsolete, Usually A diagnosis involving a pathological tendency to engage in self-centered fantasy thinking, historically considered a symptom of insanity or schizophrenia.
Internet, Offensive, Usually Abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, stereotypically coupled with low self-awareness and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism.
Derogatory or self-deprecatory
- weaponized autism
Internet, Deliberate, Humorous, Misspelling, Usually Deliberate misspelling of autumn.
- it's finally autism
- Derived terms
- atypical autism, AuDHD, autismal, autism creature, autismland, autism mom, autism spectrum, autism spectrum condition, autism spectrum disorder, autist, autistic, autistic spectrum, autistic spectrum disorder, childhood autism, classic autism, digital autism, early infantile autism, high-functioning autism, infantile autism, low-functioning autism, tautism, 'tism, virtual autism
- Related terms
- pervasive developmental disorder, PDD-NOS, disability, handicap, mutism, selective mutism, special education, schizothymia, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, homophobia
- Hypernyms
- autism spectrum, autistic spectrum, autism spectrum disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, neurodivergence, neurodiversity
- Hyponyms
- Asperger syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's, Asperger, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified
- Coordinate terms
- on the spectrum