autistic (adj)

characteristic of or affected with autism

"autistic behavior"; "autistic children"

autistic (Noun)

A person suffering from autism.

autistic (Adjective)

Pertaining to, or suffering from autism.

autistic

The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and the presence of repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Other common symptoms include unusual responses to sensory stimuli, and an insistence on sameness or strict adherence to routine. Autism is understood by most psychiatric bodies to be a spectrum disorder, which means that it can manifest differently in each person: any given autistic individual is likely to show some, but not all, of the characteristics associated with it, and the person may exhibit them to varying degrees and frequencies. A large variation in the level of support people require exists: some autistic people are nonspeaking, while others have relatively unimpaired spoken language. While psychiatry has traditionally classified autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder, many autistic people and others such as advocates (the autism rights movement) and some researchers see autism as part of neurodiversity, the natural diversity in human thinking, and experience, with strengths, differences, and weaknesses. According to this view, autism is not pathological, but this does not preclude some autistic individuals from being disabled or having high support needs. This relatively positive and holistic view of the condition has led to somewhat of a certain degree of friction between both those who are autistic and others such as advocates, practitioners, and charities.There are many theories surrounding what causes autism; it is highly heritable and believed to be mainly genetic, but there are many genes involved, and environmental factors may also be relevant. The syndrome frequently co-occurs with other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and others. Disagreements continue surrounding the condition, such as what should be included as part of the autism diagnosis, whether meaningful sub-types of autism exist, and the significance of autism-associated traits in the wider population. The combination of broader criteria and increased awareness has led to a trend of steadily increasing estimates of autism prevalence, causing a common misconception that there is an autism epidemic and perpetuating the controversial myth that it is caused by vaccines.Although there is no cure for autism, early behavioral interventions can help children with speech delays gain self-care, social, and language skills. However, independent living and a high IQ is unlikely in those with higher support needs, so intervention for these individuals require finding and learning alternative modes of communication. The atypical antipsychotic drugs risperidone and aripiprazole are well-established for alleviating the associated traits of irritability.