Who discovered autism spectrum disorders?
Autism spectrum disorder as a distinct condition did not have a single discoverer, but its understanding and diagnostic criteria have evolved through the contributions of various professionals over time. Here is a brief history of the development of the concept of autism spectrum disorders:
Early Observations and Descriptions:
- Early 1900s: Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler first described a condition called "autism" in 1911, although his focus was on schizophrenia.
- 1943: American child psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a paper describing 11 children who displayed unusual behaviors, which he termed "early infantile autism."
- 1944: Austrian-American physician Hans Asperger published a separate paper describing a similar group of children, although his work gained less recognition initially.
Development of Diagnostic Criteria:
- 1952: The term "autistic psychopathy" was introduced to describe the condition.
- 1968: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) included "infantile autism" as a distinct diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Second Edition (DSM-II).
- 1980: The DSM-III introduced the term "autism spectrum disorder" to encompass a broader range of symptoms and severity.
- 1987: The DSM-III-R further refined the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder.
- 1994: The DSM-IV provided more detailed criteria for diagnosis and introduced subtypes such as Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
- 2013: The DSM-5 merged the previous subcategories of autism spectrum disorders into a single diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, recognizing a spectrum of severity.
Growing Awareness and Research:
- Throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries, increasing research, scientific studies, and professional collaboration have contributed to a deeper understanding of autism spectrum disorders.
- The work of researchers like Lorna Wing, Simon Baron-Cohen, Uta Frith, and others has helped expand our knowledge of the condition and its characteristics.
It is important to note that the concept of autism spectrum disorders has evolved over time, with advancements in research leading to a better understanding and refinement of diagnostic criteria. Therefore, credit for its "discovery" cannot be attributed to a single individual but rather to the collective efforts of many professionals in the field.