History of Autism

By AVERBIC

  • Coining the Phrase

    Dr. John Langdon Down is the first discover Down Syndrome and label it as mental retardation. It is under this term that Autism was originally categorized ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • Autism and Schizophrenia

    Eugene Beuler used autism to describe a symptom of Schizophrenia ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • A New Element of Schizophrenia

    Eugène Minkowski, a student of Bleuler, further defined autism as the "trouble generator" of schizophrenia ("History of Autism", 2017).

  • A Change in the Idea of Autism

    1943 Leo Kanner in the United States conducted a study on a group of children with social and emotional limitations that also demonstrated withdrawn behavior and starts the first scientific study of Autism (Thompson, 2013).

  • Asperger's Syndrome

    Hans Asperger in Germany conducted research on children with similar characteristics of Autism in social aspects but was stronger in language skills and higher understanding of highly technical disorders. This is called Asperger's Syndrome ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • "Cold Mothering"

    During the 1950's and the 1960's, Bruno Bettleheim claimed that Autism was an emotional disorder that is brought on by psychological harm inflicted by the child's mother. This harm is usually represented as the mother not making a connection to the child ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • Autism Society of America

    Autism Society of American formed by parents with children with Autism. Its goal is to increase awareness, advocate or appropriate services and help provided the latest information of research ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • Autism in Schools

    During the 1970's and 1980's, students identified as Autistic were placed in classroom with students with severe intellectual disabilities or emotional disturbances. Other cases show that students were put into institutions and remained there through their adult lives (Thompson, 2013).

  • Not a Neurological Disorder

    A study published in 1973 realized that psychotherapy was not helpful for people with Autism and it is identified as a genetic disorder (Thompson, 2013).

  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Third Edition

    The DSM-III distinguishes Autism from childhood schizophrenia (Baker, 2013).

  • Changing of Title

    Autistic Disorder replaces the term of Infantile Autism in the manual and gives more of an explanation of the diagnosis ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • DSM-IIIR

    An updated version of the DSM-IIIR has a new checklist of criteria for diagnosing Autism (Baker, 2013).

  • Accepted into IDEA

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is updated to accept autism and schools begin to identify and serve students with Autism ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • Adding Aspergers

    The DSM-IV added Asperger syndrome as a form of Autism (Baker, 2013).

  • National Alliance for Autism Research

    Founded by parents and is the first organization dedicated to funding biomedical research focusing on ASD in the U.S. ("History of Autism", 2017).

  • Autism Speaks

    Autism Speaks is founded and provides funds for research, increases awareness, and advocates for individuals and their families ("History of Autism, 2017).

  • DSM-V

    The DSM-V folds all subcategories together to create the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is defined as two categories: impaired social communication and interaction and restricted/repetitive behaviors (Baker, 2013).