Dictionary definition of Autism.

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Collins Gem English Dictionary describes autism as
autism n Psychiatry disorder, usu. of children, characterized by lack of response to people and limited ability to communicate. autistic adj

Sound about right?

Yep. Though it misses, "lifelong", but one can infer that a psychiatric disorder of childhood will still be there as an adult.

If you have Asperger's, tell a psychiatrist that you have Autism, and he or she will say that you don't.

That definition makes it sound like you outgrow it.

I would have thought it did not need to be said that autistic kids grow up into autistic adults?

Told a couple of online friends that I got diagnosed and their reaction was "Only just now, when you're 23?" and "How'd they miss it?"

Definitely stereotyped that autism is just for children.

Maybe because it's commonly seen as awkward to think of a dysfunctional adult? "Poor autistic kids" but "autistic adults should be hidden away somewhere." or something. Not saying this IS what they think, but society surely isn't very comfortable about it.

Seconds Danielismyname.
though very basic definition which isnt equal in how people experience ad differently,that is autism/classic autism-it does not mean ASD,it's a good [but too short] description if are not at the very high end.

maybe there will be an asd entry in future if there isnt one now.

Should be changed to "beginning in childhood", for accuracy. But people who write dictionaries won't necessarily consult people who are any more expert than in the general area... maybe the person who checked the "autism" definition is somebody with a general degree in psychology, rather than an autism specialist.

Technically "pervasive developmental disorder" is the whole spectrum, and "autistic disorder" is the specific type with early onset and speech delay. "Autism" is colloquial and doesn't technically mean anything specific--though it is generally used either for the whole spectrum or for the type described as Autistic Disorder.

Callista,

Autism is in as a substitute/synonym for Autistic Disorder in the DSM (well, Kanner's Autism, Early-infantile Autism or Childhood Autism). Since most with Autistic Disorder are of the LFA type, Autism fits this (the synonyms). Asperger's Disorder only has Asperger's Syndrome as a synonym in the DSM (ICD-10 has Autistic Psychopathy).

Most Kanner's are high functioning, if you define "HF" as "verbal and able to do basic self care"... unless you define HF as "able to live on your own", then quite a few aspies would be low-functioning...

OK, so if you say Autism = only "autistic disorder", then where does that leave CDD and Retts? Both are usually LF (by the "does not use communicative language" definition). And remember that PDDNOS, often called "atypical autism", can have about the same impact as Kanner's, depending on exactly how that particular case is atypical.

"Autism" is a synonym for "pervasive developmental disorder" and also for "Kanner's". Yes, it's confusing. This is the English language; what were you expecting--clarity?

But people are born with Autism, it doesn't develop or diminish in childhood.


...Does it?

It's first diagnosed in early childhood, ideally. But yeah, the genes are there at conception so you're either born with it or it happens very early on, probably prenatally. That's what makes CDD so rare--there's a period of normal development first, not just a period of mild oddity followed by quickly falling behind as your peers learn to talk.

I'm using Autism (LFA) in the context of the aloof individual who won't respond to you if you ask him or her a question, and also those who may respond, but only briefly and in a concrete functional way.

Not like the individual with HFA who will respond adequately in most cases, if odd and eccentric.

Yeah, then your Kanner's stats are wrong. By that definition most are HF.

Yeah, but point is... erm...well,

Kanners and aspergers aren't in my dictionary. And if there were they'd probably have the same error.

If you want the first definition of Autism, look up Eugen Bleuler, and see what he said. I haven't, but I know he coined it first.

I found it: