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autism

autism

131 4.8
A developmental condition causing difficulty with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavior
  • noun
  • /ˈɔːtɪzəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : autismo
  • Being diagnosed with autism helped me understand myself more.
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • children with autism
  • individuals with autism

So that could be dyslexia, ADHD, autism, hyperlexia.

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Examples

  • Because of the social and communication difficulties exhibited by children with autism, identifying functional reinforcers can be difficult.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The Autism Project students were placed in two model autism units in two separate schools.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Are we seeing more kids with autism being put through this path?

  • However, one must keep in mind that no two individuals with autism are the same.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You know, autism is not necessarily a bad thing.

  • Two of his boys are on the autism spectrum.

  • Max was diagnosed with autism at the age of 32 months.

  • Some kids with autism can't talk.

  • The following topics address common characteristics of autism and may guide the selection of curriculum.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Christian was diagnosed with autism at an early age, probably around age three.

Compounds

8.2

A serious childhood condition in which a child avoids social contact and speaks little

How Severe

infantile autism
  • Archaic
8.2
autism
  • Specialized
131 4.8
Asperger syndrome
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Surface Forms

autism singular
autisms plural

Morphology

autism = aut + ism

The word contains the bound root 'aut' and the suffix '-ism', but the clinical meaning is not transparently recoverable for an average learner.

Etymology

Autism comes from the Greek root autos, meaning 'self', plus the ending -ism that marks a condition. Think of auto in automatic ('self-moving'): the name points to a strong focus on the inner self and routine behavior, which helps explain the social and repetitive aspects of the condition.