autism
/ˈɔːtɪzəm/noun
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A pervasive neurological disorder that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication, language development, eye contact, and sensory experiences.
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(now medically obsolete) A diagnosis involving a pathological tendency to engage in self-centered fantasy thinking, historically considered a symptom of insanity and/or schizophrenia.
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(4chan) Abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism.
noun
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The range of conditions classified as pervasive developmental disorders, generally held to include autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Also includes childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett syndrome.