autism spectrum disorder

American  

[aw-tiz-uhm spek-truhm dis-awr-der] / ˈɔ tɪz əm ˈspɛk trəm dɪsˌɔr dər /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. a developmental disability of highly variable presentation characterized by social and communication differences, repetitive behaviors, or a restricted range of interests, and which commonly manifests in early childhood.

---

Etymology

Origin of autism spectrum disorder

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

autism spectrum disorder

They also said Schecter had autism spectrum disorder and anxiety and said the evidence was “more complicated than the headlines suggested.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Digestive problems have already been well documented among people with autism spectrum disorder.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

The court heard the teenager was seen by a psychiatrist who diagnosed him as having autism spectrum disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

From BBC ● May 6, 2026

The company says it is developing traditional Chinese medicine, primarily herbal formulas, to treat autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026

This expanded criteria makes discussions about curing or preventing autism incredibly fraught, because the label autism spectrum disorder is now such a big tent.

From Slate ● Sep. 25, 2025