History of autism

Eugen Bleuler

August Hoch

E.Kraepelin crop2

CGJung

Hans Asperger portrait ca 1940

History of Autism

The history of autism traces the development of understanding and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from ancient times to the modern day. The term "autism" was first introduced in the early 20th century, but the understanding and conceptualization of autism have undergone significant changes over the years.

Ancient Times to 18th Century

Before autism was formally recognized, individuals displaying symptoms we now associate with ASD were often misunderstood. Historical accounts suggest that such individuals were sometimes considered possessed or spiritually unique. There are no explicit references to autism in ancient texts, but descriptions resembling autistic behaviors can be found.

19th Century

The 19th century saw the beginnings of a shift towards a medical understanding of mental and behavioral conditions. However, autism as a distinct condition was not yet recognized. Instead, individuals displaying traits of autism were often categorized under broad terms like "madness" or "idiocy."

Early 20th Century

The term "autism" was first coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, referring to a group of symptoms related to schizophrenia. Bleuler used "autism" to describe a certain self-absorbed state with a detachment from reality seen in schizophrenic patients. During this period, autism was not recognized as a separate condition but was seen as a symptom of schizophrenia.

Mid-20th Century

The understanding of autism as a distinct condition began to take shape in the 1940s, thanks to the work of American psychiatrist Leo Kanner and Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger. In 1943, Kanner published a landmark paper describing 11 children who displayed a "remarkable lack of affective contact with others," which he termed "early infantile autism." Around the same time, Asperger described a "milder" form of autism, known today as Asperger syndrome, characterized by difficulties in social interaction but with preserved intelligence and language skills.

Late 20th Century

The late 20th century saw significant advancements in the understanding and classification of autism. In 1980, autism was officially recognized as a distinct diagnosis in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). This period also saw the rise of advocacy groups and increased research into the causes and treatments of autism.

21st Century

Today, autism is recognized as a spectrum of conditions, reflecting a wide range of symptoms and severities. The current edition of the DSM, DSM-5, categorizes autism under the umbrella term "autism spectrum disorder" and emphasizes a dimensional approach to diagnosis. There has been a significant increase in awareness and understanding of autism, along with ongoing research into its genetic and environmental causes, early detection, and intervention strategies.

Conclusion

The history of autism is a testament to the evolution of medical and societal understanding of neurodiversity. From being misunderstood and misdiagnosed to being recognized as a spectrum of conditions with unique challenges and strengths, the journey of understanding autism continues to evolve.