Word
autistic
Phoneticsautis·tic
US/ɔˈtɪstɪk/
UK/ɔːtˈɪstɪk/
Definitions
01relating to autism
adj. having or relating to autism, a condition that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others.
adj. relating to or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This is the neutral, standard descriptive use of the term.
“The school provides extra support for autistic students to help them succeed in class.”
“Recent clinical research suggests that autistic individuals often process sensory information more intensely than neurotypical peers.”
Usage
In many communities, 'autistic person' (identity-first language) is preferred over 'person with autism'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a person with autism
n. a person who has autism.
n. an individual diagnosed with autism. While common, some prefer 'autistic person' to avoid treating the condition as a separate burden.
“The charity works to improve the lives of autistics and their families.”
“The conference featured several prominent autistics who spoke about their experiences in the modern workplace.”
Formal
Real-World Examples
“This might include more focus on autistic experiences of sensory overload and meltdowns, as well as the value and pleasure to be found in hyperfocus and intense interest in particular topics.” “They still keep autistic people separate from non-disabled people.” Etymology
From autism + -istic or -tic. First attested in 1913. The modern clinical sense is first used in 1943 by Leo Kanner.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/autistic