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

Unlike previous releases from the CDC's ongoing study on autism spectrum disorder, federal scientists have not been allowed to speak to the media about the latest round of results, CBS News previously reported. —Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025

As in 2020, autism spectrum disorder prevalence among 8-year-olds was higher among Asian/Pacific Islander, Black and Hispanic children than among white children, CDC data showed. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025

In the past, Kennedy has supported anti-vaccine rhetoric and previously shared unproven claims that immunizations could cause autism spectrum disorder in children. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025

About one in 36 children as of 2020 are diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for autism spectrum disorder

• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder
• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

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