ASD

abbreviation or noun

ˌā-ˌes-ˈdē 

plural ASDs

: 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

As any teacher or parent can tell you, every student learns differently, including individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

—Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania)

ASD occurs on a broad continuum of severity. Some people with ASD experience only mild challenges. For others, the condition interferes with everyday life.

—Janice Rodden

The number of diagnosed cases of ASDs and the number of children receiving services for ASDs have increased markedly in the past decade.

—Joseph Piven and Peter Rabins

Examples of ASD in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Hippler said, defense experts could speak to those certain ASD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors for rebuttal arguments. —Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025

In 2022, a surveillance program called The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network began monitoring children aged 4 to 8 across 15 U.S. states, focusing on multiple benchmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025

That year, researchers also noted that the link between ASD and socioeconomic status evaporated in most of the network. —ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025

Although prevalence has been lower among children aged 4 years than aged 8 years in each reporting year, there are consistently higher rates of ASD identification in younger children. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025

About one in 36 children as of 2020 are diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2025

Disruptions to this pathway, caused by genetics or environmental factors, can lead to chronic pain or the sensory hypersensitivity that often accompanies autism spectrum disorder (ASD). —New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2025

Learning About Autism Treatments About 1 in 100 children are estimated to have ASD. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

And beyond financial, physical and geographic barriers, in-person talk therapy can be challenging for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – even though it has been shown to be hugely beneficial for both conditions. —New Atlas, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ASD

abbreviation or noun

: 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

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. … The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly. For example, some people with ASD may have advanced conversation skills whereas others may be nonverbal. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support.

—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The neurodiversity movement holds that ASD is characterized not merely by impediments, but also by normal functioning, as well as cognitive strengths. ASD, on this account, may be best understood as a cognitive difference, not as a shortcoming.

—Deborah R. Barnbaum, Ethics and Neurodiversity