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Idiot vs Autistic - What's the difference?

idiot | autistic |

As nouns the difference between idiot and autistic

is that idiot is a person of low general intelligence while autistic is a person who has autism.

As an adjective autistic is

pertaining to, or having autism.

idiot

English

Alternative forms

* eejit * idjit, idget (eye dialect)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (pejorative) A person of low general intelligence.
    • usage note This may be used pejoratively, as an insult. It is a weak insult, however, and between close friends, family members, or lovers, is often completely nonaggressive.
  • (obsolete, medicine, psychology) A person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal four-year-old.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * genius

    Related terms

    * idiocy * idiom * idiosyncratic * idiotic * idiotically * idiot savant * useful idiot

    autistic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Pertaining to, or having autism.

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person who has autism.
  • * 2006 , Alan Griswold, Autistic Symphony
    • If our definition of empathy were to require we take the human cognitive norm (overwhelmingly influenced by neurotypical cognition) as the absolute standard by which to measure empathy, then indeed we would have to conclude autistics do not instinctively possess a good sense of empathy.

    Synonyms

    * autist

    Hyponyms

    * idiot savant (potentially offensive)

    Related terms

    * autistic spectrum * autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)