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

More than two months after a Brooklyn woman denied having any children when cops came looking for her missing 11-year-old autistic son the whereabouts of the boy remain a mystery. —Colin Mixson, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025

Somali American citizens also are accused of ripping off a program to provide therapy for autistic children by funneling kickback money to parents. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 2 Dec. 2025

Noun

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

Phothong is non-verbal autistic and considered at risk, according to the Sacramento Police Department. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 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