Donald Triplett

First person diagnosed with autism

Donald Gray Triplett (September 8, 1933 – June 15, 2023) was an American man known for being the first person diagnosed with autism. His case was pivotal in the development of the understanding of autism as a distinct condition.

Early Life

Donald Triplett was born in Forest, Mississippi, to Beamon and Mary Triplett. From an early age, his parents noticed that he exhibited unusual behaviors, such as a lack of social interaction and repetitive actions. These behaviors led his parents to seek medical advice.

Diagnosis

In 1938, Donald was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was examined by Leo Kanner, a psychiatrist who was studying children with similar symptoms. Kanner's observations of Donald and other children led to the publication of a landmark paper in 1943, where he described "autistic disturbances of affective contact." Donald was referred to as "Case 1" in this paper, marking the first clinical description of autism.

Donald Triplett, the first person diagnosed with autism

Life in Forest

After his diagnosis, Donald returned to Forest, Mississippi, where he lived a relatively independent life. He attended a local school and later graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Despite the challenges associated with autism, Donald was able to lead a fulfilling life, engaging in activities such as traveling and playing golf.

Legacy

Donald Triplett's life and diagnosis have had a lasting impact on the field of autism spectrum disorder research. His case helped to establish autism as a distinct condition, separate from other developmental disorders. Over the years, Donald became a symbol of the progress made in understanding and accepting autism.

Related Pages

• Leo Kanner
• Autism spectrum disorder
• History of autism