autism

IPA: ˈɔtɪzʌm

(clinical psychology) A pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication, language development, eye contact, and sensory experiences.
(broadly) Synonym of autism spectrum; a range of disorders.
(clinical psychology, obsolete) A diagnosis involving a pathological tendency to engage in self-centered fantasy thinking, historically considered a symptom of insanity and/or schizophrenia.
(Internet slang, offensive, derogatory or self-deprecatory) Abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, stereotypically coupled with low self-awareness and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism.

Examples of "autism" in Sentences

The word 'autism' comes from the Greek word 'autos', meaning 'self'.
To me, the term autism related to Dustin Hoffman in Rainman, I had never encountered it personally in my life.
When I use the word "autism" -- or say to someone she has autism -- it's the best I can do in a short time period.
In the US, the case against thimerosal-caused autism is clearly shown by the continuing rise in autism diagnoses despite the removal of thimerosal from vaccines.
When Patti Meerschaert founded the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin in 1976, the term autism was foreign to most people with as few as four or five children in 10,000 diagnosed with the learning disorder.
The term autism describes a neurodevelopmental disorder with a variety of symptoms and characteristics whose focus is on abnormal social relationships and interplay, difficulties with communications of both the verbal and non-verbal kind, a lack of focus in normal play and repetitive pattern behaviors.