autistic meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

autistic

adj

UK /ɔːˈtɪs.tɪk/ · US /ɔˈtɪs.tɪk/

Etymology From autism + -istic or -tic. First attested in 1913. The modern clinical sense is first used in 1943 by Leo Kanner.

Having, characteristic of, or relating to autism.

Barry is... well, what? Borderline autistic and obsessive-compulsive, with serious anger management issues and a dangerous behavioural disorder that in the real world would get him a one-way ticket to the rubber room.2003 July 2, Peter Bradshaw, “Punch-Drunk Love”, in The Guardian, UK, retrieved 07 Aug 2014:

Derogatory, Offensive Socially inept, self-absorbed, or stupid.

Slang and medically obsolete

Internet Characterized by abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism. Obsessive.

4chan slang; offensive or self-deprecatory; 4chan slang; offensive or self-deprecatory

Derogatory, Offensive, Slang Lame, uncool, stupid.

Derived terms: antiautistic, autard, autie, autigender, autistically, autistic disorder, autistic psychopathy, autistics and cousins, autistic savant, nonautistic, postautistic, preautistic, tism, 'tism, unautistic

noun

Etymology From autism + -istic or -tic. First attested in 1913. The modern clinical sense is first used in 1943 by Leo Kanner.

A person who has autism.

If our definition of empathy were to require we take the human cognitive norm (overwhelmingly influenced by neurotypical cognition) as the absolute standard by which to measure empathy, then indeed we would have to conclude autistics do not instinctively possess a good sense of empathy.2006, Alan Griswold, Autistic Symphony:
Yet because of the history and proliferation of the supercrip in films in television shows – not only with autism but supercrips with other disabilities as well – viewers are primed for the supercrip autistic and are therefore not expecting (in some ways) a view of autism that comes across to many in the autism community as more realistic or honest.2016, Katherine Lashley, “Displaying Autism: The Thinking Images of Temple Grandin (2010)”, in Benjamin Fraser, editor, Cultures of Representation: Disability in World Cinema Contexts, page 130:

1 more example

After reading this book, medical professionals should be able to develop an understanding of some of the challenges that autistics are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.2022, Matthew Bennett, Emma Goodall, Autism and COVID-19: