Primary sense: A pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication patterns (e.g., differences in body language or eye contact), delayed language development, and sensory processing sensitivities.
Useful contrasts: neurotypical development, normal development.
Usage evidence: "Educational autism" in the California school system apparently has looser criteria than the DSM-IV's series of autistic disorders.
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Definitions
Noun
1
A pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication patterns (e.g., differences in body language or eye contact), delayed language development, and sensory processing sensitivities.uncountable, usually
"Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism."
2
a spectrum disorder marked by characteristics such as social communication, sensory processing differences, focused interests, and repetitive behaviorswordnet
3
A pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication patterns (e.g., differences in body language or eye contact), delayed language development, and sensory processing sensitivities.; Synonym of autism spectrum; a range of disorders.broadly, uncountable, usually
4
A diagnosis involving a pathological tendency to engage in self-centered fantasy thinking, historically considered a symptom of insanity or schizophrenia.obsolete, uncountable, usually
5
Abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, stereotypically coupled with low self-awareness and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism.Internet, offensive, uncountable, usually
""Educational autism" in the California school system apparently has looser criteria than the DSM-IV's series of autistic disorders."
Common questions
What does "autism" mean?
A pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication patterns (e.g., differences in body language or eye contact), delayed language development, and sensory processing sensitivities.
"Educational autism" in the California school system apparently has looser criteria than the DSM-IV's series of autistic disorders.
How do you pronounce "autism"?
Pronounced /ˈɔːtɪzəm/.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Autismus, coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, first usage dated to 1907 attributed by Carl Jung as an alternative of his for "auto-erotism", although Bleuler himself differentiates the terms in his book Dementia Praecox, first published 1911. From Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós, “self”) + -ισμός (-ismós, “-ism”).