Autism History
Introduction to Autism History
Autism is a condition that has been extensively researched since its discovery 60 years ago.
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders began in 1971 as The Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, with Leo Kanner and Stella Chess as editors.
Autism: the International Journal of Research and Practice first appeared in 1997.
Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities started in 1985, offering practical articles on care, treatment and education.
The International Autism Research Review started in 1987.
In 2001, the University of Birmingham initiated the journal Good Autism Practice.
In 1979, the editors of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders emphasized Kanner’s focus on developmental distortions, links between autism and other disorders, and the association of autism with specific medical conditions.
By 1979, the idea that autism was an early form of childhood schizophrenia had been abandoned.
The editors of Autism: the International Journal of Research and Practice aimed to strengthen the connection between research and practice.
Early Accounts of Possible Autism
Few early accounts fulfill the classical criteria for Kanner’s syndrome, except for one report of autism without associated brain damage, mental retardation, possible developmental language disorder or severe early social deprivation.
Uta Frith analyzed the depositions of 29 witnesses in the legal case of Hugh Blair in 1747, arguing for a diagnosis of autism despite the lack of a developmental history.
Hugh Blair's deficits included tactlessness, abnormal gaze, severe retardation and abnormality of language, including echolalia.
He exhibited obsessive and repetitive behavior such as odd motor mannerisms and insistence on objects retaining their same place.
John Haslam described a boy in 1809 who had infantile convulsions, severe measles as well as a small pox inoculation. He was slow to walk and very late to talk. The potential of a post-encephalitic syndrome was noted.
Henry Maudsley's work included a chapter on “The insanity of early life”.
Early accounts of child psychiatry also fail to mention childhood autism.
Wolf Children
Speculation exists about the possible disabilities of “wolf children” who were found mute, walking on all fours, insensitive to cold, and eating only raw foods.
Ireland thought most were idiots abandoned by impoverished parents.
Malson dismissed the notion of
Introduction to Autism History
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that has been the subject of extensive research since its formal recognition approximately 60 years ago. The understanding of autism has evolved significantly over time, influenced by various researchers and publications.
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, a key publication in the field, began in 1971 as The Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia. This journal played a crucial role in shaping early research and diagnostic criteria, with Leo Kanner and Stella Chess serving as editors.
Autism: the International Journal of Research and Practice, another significant publication, first appeared in 1997, further expanding the scope of autism research and its practical applications.
Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities started in 1985, providing a platform for practical articles on care, treatment, and education strategies for individuals with autism and related conditions.
The International Autism Research Review was initiated in 1987 to synthesize and disseminate findings from autism research to a broad audience.
In 2001, the University of Birmingham launched the journal Good Autism Practice, focusing on evidence-based practices and interventions in the field of autism.
In 1979, the editors of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders revisited and emphasized Kanner’s original focus on developmental distortions, the interconnectedness of autism with other disorders, and the association of autism with specific medical conditions.
By 1979, the prevailing notion that autism was an early manifestation of childhood schizophrenia had been largely discredited, marking a significant shift in the understanding of the condition.
The editors of Autism: the International Journal of Research and Practice explicitly aimed to bridge the gap between research and practice, promoting the translation of research findings into practical applications and interventions.
Early Accounts of Possible Autism
Early accounts that meet the contemporary classical criteria for Kanner’s syndrome are rare, with only one report documenting autism in the absence of associated brain damage, mental retardation, possible developmental language disorder, or severe early social deprivation.
Uta Frith conducted an analysis of the depositions from 29 witnesses in the 1747 legal case of Hugh Blair, proposing a retrospective diagnosis of autism despite the absence of detailed developmental history.
Hugh Blair's deficits encompassed tactlessness, atypical gaze patterns, substantial retardation, and language abnormalities, including the presence of echolalia.
He manifested obsessive and repetitive behaviors, such as peculiar motor mannerisms and a marked insistence on maintaining the fixed arrangement of objects in his environment.
John Haslam provided an account in 1809 of a boy who experienced infantile convulsions, severe measles, and a smallpox inoculation. The boy exhibited delayed walking and significantly late speech development, leading to speculation about a potential post-encephalitic syndrome.
Henry Maudsley's body of work incorporated a chapter dedicated to “The insanity of early life”, addressing various aspects of childhood psychiatric conditions.
Early literature in the field of child psychiatry lacks explicit mentions of childhood autism as a distinct diagnostic entity.
Wolf Children
Speculation surrounds the potential disabilities of “wolf children,” who were reportedly found mute, ambulating on all fours, exhibiting insensitivity to cold temperatures, and subsisting on a diet of raw foods.
Ireland posited that most such cases involved individuals with intellectual disabilities who had been abandoned by impoverished parents.
Malson refuted the notion