ASD
abbreviation or noun
plural ASDs
: a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears by age two, that is variable in expression but is usually diagnosed by persistent impairments in social interaction and communication and by stereotyped (see stereotyped sense 2) patterns of behavior, activities, or interests, and that may be accompanied by cognitive or language impairments : autism spectrum disorder, autism
As any teacher or parent can tell you, every student learns differently, including individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).—
Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania)
Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania)ASD occurs on a broad continuum of severity. Some people with ASD experience only mild challenges. For others, the condition interferes with everyday life.—Janice Rodden
Janice RoddenThe number of diagnosed cases of ASDs and the number of children receiving services for ASDs have increased markedly in the past decade.—Joseph Piven and Peter Rabins
Joseph Piven and Peter RabinsExamples of ASD in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Research suggests that about 4 percent of boys will be diagnosed with ASD compared with about 1 percent of girls.
—Angela D. Harper, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The researcher does agree with Kennedy that the spiked rates in ASD cases are dire, splitting from some other autism experts who have ascertained that higher national levels are indicative of more national awareness of the condition.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
People with level 2 ASD are likely to find activities of daily living and social interactions difficult.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025
That has certainly contributed to the apparent increase in ASD prevalence overall.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Two years later, only 17% were rated as severe, 39% as mild or moderate, and incredibly, 44% were below the cut-off for mild ASD.
—Nick Lavars, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
However, Hippler said, defense experts could speak to those certain ASD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors for rebuttal arguments.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
In 2022, a surveillance program called The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network began monitoring children aged 4 to 8 across 15 U.S. states, focusing on multiple benchmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
That year, researchers also noted that the link between ASD and socioeconomic status evaporated in most of the network.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025
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Angela D. Harper, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The researcher does agree with Kennedy that the spiked rates in ASD cases are dire, splitting from some other autism experts who have ascertained that higher national levels are indicative of more national awareness of the condition.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
People with level 2 ASD are likely to find activities of daily living and social interactions difficult.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025
That has certainly contributed to the apparent increase in ASD prevalence overall.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Two years later, only 17% were rated as severe, 39% as mild or moderate, and incredibly, 44% were below the cut-off for mild ASD.
—Nick Lavars, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
However, Hippler said, defense experts could speak to those certain ASD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors for rebuttal arguments.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
In 2022, a surveillance program called The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network began monitoring children aged 4 to 8 across 15 U.S. states, focusing on multiple benchmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
That year, researchers also noted that the link between ASD and socioeconomic status evaporated in most of the network.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“ASD.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ASD. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ASD
abbreviation or noun
: a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears by age two, that is variable in expression but is usually diagnosed by persistent impairments in social interaction and communication and by stereotyped (see stereotyped sense 2) patterns of behavior, activities, or interests, and that may be accompanied by cognitive or language impairments : autism spectrum disorder, autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. … The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly. For example, some people with ASD may have advanced conversation skills whereas others may be nonverbal. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support.—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionThe neurodiversity movement holds that ASD is characterized not merely by impediments, but also by normal functioning, as well as cognitive strengths. ASD, on this account, may be best understood as a cognitive difference, not as a shortcoming.—Deborah R. Barnbaum, Ethics and Neurodiversity
Deborah R. Barnbaum, Ethics and NeurodiversityLove words? Need even more definitions?
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