autistic

adjective au·tis·tic \ ȯ-ˈti-stik \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of autistic

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

autistic behavior

autistic children

—

autistically

play \ȯ-ˈti-sti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of autistic from the Web

In statements to the court, Tirado's attorney, William O'Connor, acknowledged the challenges his client faced raising an autistic child.

— nicholas rondinone, courant.com, "Mother Of Autistic Teen, Matthew Tirado, Who Died After Being Denied Food Gets 11 Years In Prison," 5 June 2018
Taylor, who is autistic and has an anxiety disorder, deals with her feelings for Jamie.

— emily ables, Seventeen, "15 Life-Changing Books You Have to Read This Summer," 31 May 2018
As a single mother raising a 10-year-old autistic son, she was attracted by the better pay and good benefits.

— emily lane, NOLA.com, "Nurse sounded alarm over inmate's death and sexual harassment at Orleans jail -- then was fired: lawsuit," 12 May 2018
Staffers work with autistic children in their homes to help them improve skills like looking, listening, imitating, reading and conversing.

— elisha anderson, Detroit Free Press, "How Michigan's largest autism therapy provider lost $8M grant," 9 May 2018
More: This mother fought for her autistic son in court.

— sonja haller, Cincinnati.com, "'Sesame Street' theme park becomes world's first to get certified autism designation," 3 Apr. 2018
The older boy, now about 8 years old, is autistic and gifted, his adoptive mother said in a separate interview.

— benjamin weiser, New York Times, "A ‘Bright Light,’ Dimmed in the Shadows of Homelessness," 3 Mar. 2018
More than a dash of Gemüt—which Nazi psychiatrists defined as commitment to community (just what autistic children were said to lack)—was crucial.

— ann hulbert, The Atlantic, "Autism’s Dark Roots in Nazi Vienna," 13 May 2018
For autistic individuals over the age of 21, public services—particularly housing—is even harder to come by.

— WSJ, "Work With Special-Needs Families Underscores the Value of Planning," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autistic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of autistic

1942

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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autistic

noun

Definition of autistic

: an individual affected with autism or autism spectrum disorder

Recent Examples of autistic from the Web

Thirty years later, the belief persists that autistics can reliably count a pile of toothpicks at a glance.

— donna levin, Smithsonian, "Why Your Next Favorite Fictional Protagonist Might Be on the Autism Spectrum," 24 May 2017
Thirty years later, the belief persists that autistics can reliably count a pile of toothpicks at a glance.

— donna levin, Smithsonian, "Why Your Next Favorite Fictional Protagonist Might Be on the Autism Spectrum," 24 May 2017

First Known Use of autistic

1965

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

autistic

adjective au·tis·tic \ ȯ-ˈtis-tik \

medical Definition of autistic

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

autistic behavior

autistic children

autistic

noun

medical Definition of autistic

: an individual affected with autism or autism spectrum disorder

Learn More about autistic

Spanish Central: Translation of autistic Nglish: Translation of autistic for Spanish speakers

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autistic

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autistically

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