Main Entry:

au·tism

Pronunciation:

\ˈȯ-ˌti-zəm\

Function:

noun

Date:

1948

: a variable developmental disorder that appears by age three and is characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships, by impairment of the ability to communicate with others, and by stereotyped behavior patterns

— au·tis·tic \ȯ-ˈtis-tik\ adjective or noun

— au·tis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb