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spectrum disorder

American

noun

Psychiatry.

any of a group of disorders each having symptoms that occur on a continuum and certain features that are shared along its spectrum but that manifest in markedly different forms and degrees.

Etymology

Origin of spectrum disorder

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The number of with children autistic spectrum disorder receiving support in London has increased by 158% from 17,832 in 2015-16 to 46,095 in 2024-2025, according to DfE data.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Multiple researchers have argued that the rise in autism spectrum disorder diagnoses is better explained by an expanding diagnostic definition of the disorder, along with better monitoring and diagnosis for more children.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Autism spectrum disorder is a broad neurodevelopmental diagnosis that encompasses challenges related to social skills, communication and behavior.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

In 2013, the DSM collapsed the subtypes of autism and created one autism spectrum disorder with three levels of severity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023