autism
noun/ˈɔːtɪzəm/
/ˈɔːtɪzəm/
[uncountable] (also autism spectrum disorder, ASD [countable, uncountable])
- a condition affecting brain development that can be severe or mild. People with autism can find it difficult to communicate and form relationships, and may show repeated or limited patterns of thought and behaviour.Topics Disabilityc1Word Originearly 20th cent.: from Greek autos ‘self’ + -ism.
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autism