autistic

1 of 2

adjective

au·​tis·​tic ȯ-ˈti-stik 

: of, relating to, or marked by autism or autism spectrum disorder

autistic behavior

autistic children

autistically

ȯ-ˈti-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

autistic

2 of 2

noun

plural autistics

: a person with autism or autism spectrum disorder

Examples of autistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students' rights. — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

The National Autism Safety Council reports that an average of eight autistic children die each month in the United States after wandering, most often from drowning. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

Noun

Children have been making their Barbies autistic for as long as autistic kids have been playing with them. — Sarah Kurchak, Time, 15 Jan. 2026

One of our children was high-functioning autistic. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

aut(ism) + -istic, after German autistisch

Note: See note at autism.

Noun

derivative of autistic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing autistic

• autistic disorder
• autistic savant
• autistic spectrum disorder

Rhymes for autistic

• artistic
• ballistic
• cladistic
• heuristic
• holistic
• linguistic
• logistic
• monistic
• patristic
• sadistic
• simplistic
• sophistic

Medical Definition

autistic

1 of 2 adjective

au·​tis·​tic ȯ-ˈtis-tik 

: of, relating to, or marked by autism or autism spectrum disorder

the autistic community

autistic children

autistic

2 of 2 noun

: a person with autism or autism spectrum disorder