autism spectrum disorder

noun

variants or less commonly autistic spectrum disorder

plural autism spectrum disorders also autistic spectrum disorders

: a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears by age two, that is variable in expression but is usually diagnosed by persistent impairments in social interaction and communication and by stereotyped (see stereotyped sense 2) patterns of behavior, activities, or interests, and that may be accompanied by cognitive or language impairments : autism, asd

Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions previously called autism, pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger's syndrome. … Because of the range of symptoms, this condition is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

—Jody Holton

While Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that more men than women are estimated to have autism spectrum disorder, a growing number of women are coming forward with their own stories, sharing that they've been overlooked in depictions of autism, particularly stereotypical media that shows young, nonspeaking boys.

—Lily Altavena

Examples of autism spectrum disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jackson opens up about the challenges of juggling her professional responsibilities with the needs of her family, including her daughter’s diagnosis of mild autism spectrum disorder. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 5 Sep. 2024

Experts talked to The Times about what to watch for. Sept. 5, 2024 3 AM PT As diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder have increased in the last two decades, so have the number of experimental and off-label therapies seeking to address the condition. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024

One study found that people with autism spectrum disorder who participated in a pilot tennis program showed improvements in communication and social interactions as well as improvements in their tennis skills.18 Improves Agility and Balance Balance and agility are critical to playing tennis. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 Aug. 2024

Aberrant connectivity patterns accompany depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, dementia and epilepsy. —Max Bertolero, Scientific American, 1 July 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

autism spectrum disorder

noun

variants also autistic spectrum disorder

: a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears by age two, that is variable in expression but is usually diagnosed by persistent impairments in social interaction and communication and by stereotyped (see stereotyped sense 2) patterns of behavior, activities, or interests, and that may be accompanied by cognitive or language impairments : autism, asd

Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were previously considered separate—autism, Asperger's syndrome, … and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder.

—Mayo Clinic

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 2% of children in the United States. … Therapeutic interventions are most effective if applied early, yet diagnosis often remains delayed, partly because the diagnosis is based on identifying … behaviors that may not emerge until the disorder is well established.

—Patrick McCarty and Richard E. Frye, Seminars in Pediatric Neurology

Food selectivity, or "picky eating," is often observed in young children and is a frequent cause of parental concern. Food selectivity is more commonly reported in children with developmental disabilities, particularly in children with autism spectrum disorders …

—Linda G. Bandini et al., The Journal of Pediatrics