autistic

American  

[aw-tis-tik] / ɔˈtɪs tɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or having autism spectrum disorder.

   The researchers are compiling advice on supporting wellness in autistic adults.

   She and her son are both autistic.

   We are a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community.

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noun

1. Also autist a person with autism spectrum disorder.

   It's just an opinion, but it's based on my own experience and conversations with fellow autistics.

Other Word Forms

• autistically adverb
• unautistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of autistic

First recorded in 1942; aut(ism) ( def. ) + -istic ( def. )

Explanation

To be autistic is to have a condition that affects a person's ability to communicate with others. Use the adjective autistic to describe someone with the medical condition called autism. Autistic traits include being withdrawn, having difficulty with some forms of communication, and in some cases having extraordinary abilities in music or math. It's not yet known what causes someone to be autistic. The word itself comes from the 1912 German term Autismus, a combination of the Greek autos, "self," and the adjectival ending istic.

Example Sentences

Bravery, now 24, who is autistic, was in supported accommodation at the time of the attack but had been allowed out unsupervised.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Rivera, who lives in South Gate, has a 6-year-old daughter who is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a 16-year-old son who is autistic and nonverbal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Several small studies have found that it helps alleviate verbal symptoms in some autistic children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

While most Americans recognize the importance of studying the autistic brain, far fewer understand the role that brain donation after death plays in advancing scientific discoveries.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

“A lot of autistic people have a special talent. James is great with numbers. But he has his problems, too.”

From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea