autism
noun
au·tism
ˈȯ-ˌti-zəm 
: a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears by age two, that is variable in expression but is usually diagnosed by persistent impairments in social interaction and communication and by stereotyped (see stereotyped sense 2) patterns of behavior, activities, or interests, and that may be accompanied by cognitive or language impairments : autism spectrum disorder
Not long ago, autism was assumed to be comparatively rare, affecting as few as 1 in 10,000 people. The latest studies, however, suggest that as many as 1 in 150 kids age 10 and younger may be affected by autism …—
J. Madeleine Nash
J. Madeleine NashBut what researchers have come to agree on is that autism is a "spectrum" disorder. In other words, it's not a condition with a single set of symptoms. Instead, affected children face different challenges—and there are different levels of severity.—Melissa Fay Greene
Melissa Fay GreeneExamples of autism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Early intervention services for kids with developmental delays like autism, are built into the program, said Bozek.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Brittany Cartwright is getting candid about handling her son Cruz's autism diagnosis.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
The organization was established in Houston, Texas, in 2015 to address limited access to autism services, particularly the lack of treatment options for older children and the absence of comprehensive programs within single centers.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Pisecco, the clinic director at Pisecco & Associates, PLLC—a practice that supports children and families navigating the complexities of autism and behavioral challenges—agrees.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autism
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Brittany Cartwright is getting candid about handling her son Cruz's autism diagnosis.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
The organization was established in Houston, Texas, in 2015 to address limited access to autism services, particularly the lack of treatment options for older children and the absence of comprehensive programs within single centers.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Pisecco, the clinic director at Pisecco & Associates, PLLC—a practice that supports children and families navigating the complexities of autism and behavioral challenges—agrees.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autism
Cite this Entry
“Autism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
autism
noun
au·tism
ˈȯ-ˌtiz-əm
: a disorder that is characterized especially by problems in interacting and communicating with other people and by doing some activities over and over again
Medical Definition
autism
noun
au·tism
ˈȯ-ˌtiz-əm
: a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears by age two, that is variable in expression but is usually diagnosed by persistent impairments in social interaction and communication and by stereotyped (see stereotyped sense 2) patterns of behavior, activities, or interests, and that may be accompanied by cognitive or language impairments : autism spectrum disorder
Autism diagnosis has traditionally been most common in childhood, when differences from neurotypical peers may first become obvious. However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the rate of adult diagnosis, particularly as diagnostic criteria have been broadened such that individuals who may not have received an autism diagnosis in childhood may now meet current diagnostic criteria.—Laura Hull et al., Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Laura Hull et al., Review Journal of Autism and Developmental DisordersMany people with autism have problems understanding metaphors, sometimes interpreting them literally. They also have difficulty miming other people's actions.—Vilayanur S. Ramachandran et al., Scientific American
Vilayanur S. Ramachandran et al., Scientific AmericanIn approximately 10% of patients, autism can be explained by genetic syndromes and known chromosomal anomalies …—Lauren A Weiss et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Lauren A Weiss et al., The New England Journal of MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share