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Eugene Blueler
Coined the word Autism -
Autism
The word autism is used to describe a subset of schizophrenic patients who were especially withdrawn and self-absorbed. -
Hans Asperger and Leo Kanner
Pioneers in the research into Autism -
Early Infantile Autism
Were highly intelligent but displayed "a powerful desire for aloneness" and "an obsessive insistence on persistent sameness." -
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Thalidomide
This drug was used to treat morning sickness, anxiety and insomnia. It was pulled from the market and linked to birth defects -
Portia Iverson
The founder of the Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) and the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR). She is also the co-founder of The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) and The Cure Autism Now Foundation (CAN), which is now part of Autism Speaks -
Ole Ivar Lovaas
Pioneer within the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) through his development of Discrete trial teaching (DTT) -
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Treaments for Autism
Research into treatments for autism focused on medications such as LSD, electric shock, and behavioral change techniques. -
Lorna Wing
She was a pioneer in the field of childhood developmental disorders who advanced understanding of autism worldwide, a leader in her field who introduced the term Asperger Syndrome and was involved in founding the National Autistic Society (NAS) in the UK. -
Bruno Bettelheim
popularized the term "refrigerator mother's" -
Bernard Rimland
The founder, in 1967, and director of the Autism Research Institute (ARI), and founder of the Autism Society of America (ASA), in 1965 -
Eric Schopler
Pioneering research into autism led to the foundation of the TEACCH program -
"Infantile Autism"
word used in DSM for the first time; completely separated from childhood schizophrenia -
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Behavioral Therapy
The role of behavioral therapy and the use of highly controlled learning environments emerged as the primary treatments for many forms of autism and related conditions. -
Autism Disorder
The DSM replaces "infantile autism" with a more expansive definition of "autism disorder," and includes a checklist of diagnostic criteria -
Special Education
The federal government makes autism a special education category. Public schools begin identifying children on the spectrum and offering them special services. -
Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's Syndrome is added to the DSM. Milder case of ASD and these individuals tend to be higher functioning -
MMR vaccine
A study published in The Lancet suggests that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism. This finding was quickly debunked. -
Genetic research
For the past twenty years research has greatly advanced our understanding of the genetics and genomics of brain development and function.Clinicians can now identify the genetic basis of ASD in 10 to 20 percent of cases. -
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Jump in Autism diagnosis
In four years there was a 72 percent increase in ASD diagnosis -
CDC
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 110 children have autism spectrum disorders, up from 1 in 150 in 2007, though the CDC notes that the increase stems at least in part from improved screening and diagnostic techniques. -
DSM 5
The DSM-5 folds all subcategories of the condition into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Asperger's Syndrome is no longer considered a separate condition. ASD is defined by two categories: 1) Impaired social communication and/or interaction. 2) Restricted and/or repetitive behaviors. -
Pesticides
Researchers report babies whose moms lived within a mile of crops treated with widely used pesticides were more likely to develop autism. -
Parental age
A study conducted reported an increased autism rates among the children of teen moms and among children whose parents have relatively large gaps between their ages. The study also confirmed that older parents are at higher risk of having children with autism. -
Current Therapies
Behavioral Therapy
Medical and Dietary Therapy
Working with Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Recreational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathologist -
Today
1 in 68 children are diagnosed with ASD