Spanish word

autista

Pronunciation

IPA/auˈtista/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)autistic person

Example

Conocí a una autista en la universidad.

I met an autistic woman at university.

Illustration for autista (autistic person)

More examples

En el centro social, hay un grupo de autistas que se reúnen los sábados.

At the community center there is a group of autistic people who meet on Saturdays.

Core concept

Person on the autism spectrum with differences in social communication and restricted interests.

Common phrases

  • conocer a un autista

    get to know an autistic person

  • hablar con un autista

    speak with an autistic person

  • el grupo de autistas

    the group of autistic people

Similar words

autismo: Developmental condition featuring atypical social-communication and narrow, repetitive interests.
persona autista: Person who has autism, labeled in Spanish by the two-word phrase persona autista.
persona neurodivergente: Person whose brain functions differ from typical norms, expressing varied neurodivergent traits.

Definition in Spanish

Palabra usada para referirse a una persona diagnosticada dentro del espectro autista, caracterizada por diferencias en la comunicación social y patrones de interés limitados.

Word origin

The word derives from Greek autos 'self' through the medical Latin autismus and the Spanish autismo, with the agentive suffix -ista forming a noun for a person with that condition.

Usage tips

  • Preferences vary: some Spanish speakers use autista as identity-first language while others prefer persona con autismo, and using autista to label someone without their consent can be offensive.

Other meanings

  • autisticadjective

Related words

  • autísticoautisticadjective

Word lists with this word