Autism Milestones Timeline_Benner

By bennerj11

  • Autistic Patients

    Eugene Bleuler uses the term autistic to describe some of his patients.

  • Early Infantile Autism

    Leo Kanner, at Johns Hopkins University, introduces the term early infantile autism in a publication describing 11 children with similar behavioral characteristics.

  • Asperger

    Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger publishes his work on autistic psychotherapy

  • Refrigerator Mothers

    Leo Kanner publishes an article blaming mothers who aren't as warm and affectionate to their children. He coined the terms refrigerator mothers as well as undemonstrative fathers.
  • Period: to

    Painful Treatments

    research into treatments for autism focused on medications such as LSD, electric shock, and behavioral change techniques. The latter relied on pain and punishment.

  • Biological Disorder

    Bernard Rimland publishes a paper stating that autism is a biological disorder.

  • Autism Society of America

    The Autism Society of America (ASA) is founded by Bernard Rimland, Ruth Sullivan and other parents of autistic children.

  • Epidemiologic Study

    • The first autism epidemiologic study is published by Victor Lotter. He reports that 4.5/10,000 children have autism.
    • The CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) is developed by Eric Schopler and others and begins to aid in diagnosing autism and differentiating it from other developmental delays.

  • Genetics

    A study by Susan Folstein and Michael Rutter focusing on twins reveals a genetic basis for autism.

  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

    Autism is officially added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM III), and called infantile autism.

  • Aspergers Syndrome

    Lorna Wing makes the term Aspergers Syndrome popular.

  • DSM III-R

    The DSM III-R is published and infantile autism is renamed to autistic disorder.

  • Diagnostic Tools

    • The ADI (Autism Diagnostic Interview), a semi-structured diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders is developed.
    • The ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) is created as a standard protocol for assessing social and communicative behavior associated with autism.
  • Period: to

    Treatments

    Resurgence of interest in biomedical treatments
  • Period: to

    IDEA

    IDEA first recognized autism as a covered disability in 1990; states not mandated to use it until 1993

  • DSM-IV

    • The DSM-IV is published and major changes are made to the PDD category, including the addition of Asperger’s Disorder. Diagnostic criteria for autism are greatly expanded.
    • The National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), the first nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research on autism, is founded.

  • SCQ, M-CHAT

    The ASQ (Autism Screening Questionnaire), later renamed the SCQ (Social Communication Questionnaire), the M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) and other screening tools for autism are developed.

  • IACC

    The Children’s Health Act is signed into law and directs federal agencies to expand research on autism, develop autism information and education campaigns, and establish the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC).

  • Autism Speaks

    The Autism Speaks advocacy organization is founded to sponsor autism research and conduct awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public.

  • Prevalence

    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes an autism prevalence rate of 1 in 150.

  • Prevalence 1/110

    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the prevalence of autism is 1 in 110 children.