autism
UK[ˈɔːtɪzəm]US[ˈɔːtɪzəm]
n
a developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.
Morpheme Breakdown
aut
ism
aut
self
ism
state, condition
Etymology
the term 'autism' originates from the greek word 'autos', meaning 'self'. it was first used in a psychiatric context by swiss psychiatrist eugen bleuler in the early 20th century, who derived it from the german 'autismus'. bleuler employed it to describe a symptom of schizophrenia characterized by a withdrawal from reality into the self. the modern, specific diagnostic meaning, referring to a developmental condition marked by challenges in social communication and interaction, was established later, particularly through the work of leo kanner and hans asperger, but retains the core etymological concept of a focus on the self.
Analysis
Structure: aut (self) + ism (state, condition)
aut (from greek 'autos', meaning 'self'); ism (from greek '-ismos', a suffix forming nouns of action, state, or condition).
Examples
early diagnosis and intervention can significantly benefit children with autism.
the documentary provided a powerful insight into the experiences of adults living with autism.
researchers are continually working to better understand the genetic and environmental factors associated with autism.