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

While this model is not appropriate for autistic persons with severe language disabilities, most autistic youth and adults have the reciprocal language to engage in a coaching relationship. — Doreen Samelson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Jaxon was placed with his maternal grandfather in the Sacramento area for six months until the grandfather could no longer care for the nonverbal and autistic child, the grandfather told this news organization. — Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 7 July 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