The History of Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Since the beginning of human era, Autism along with many other mental disorders were constantly present. In the beginning, they were thought as curses and handicaps, for the ever competitive game of survival. Later, once the awareness in people and culture grew, we learned to accept people of autistic nature.
One of the earliest descriptions of autism was written by Martin Luther, about a 12 year old boy who had many of the same symptoms of severe autism. The boy was thought to be cursed and possessed by the devil.
In 1910, Eugen Bleuler used the term "autism" (in Greek, means self-involved) to describe a psychological disorder that delays responses and thinking along with insufficient emotional responses. This condition later became known as Schizophrenia, but Bleuler's new word would help scientists and geneticists later.
In 1938, Hans Asperger also tried to describe autism from what he had experienced (high IQ, lack of social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and a large vocabulary). His description was accurate, but it was for the wrong disorder. The disorder he described was later called Asperger Syndrome.
In the year 1944, a man named Leo Kanner at John Hopkins University, first described Autism as "disturbances of effective contact". This was from his 1943 paper that described his patients, their symptoms, and his description of autism. At first, Kanner received a 33 page letter from a concerned father explaining his son's odd behaviors. Some of the behaviors were: reference to himself in 3rd person; repetition of words and phrases spoken to him; irrelevant use of vocabulary; happiest when he was alone; throwing temper tantrums often. Kanner used Bleuler's term, "autism", to describe the boy's condition, along with the other patients who had similar symptoms. His use of the term was the most accurate description of the condition, according to today's research.
One of the earliest descriptions of autism was written by Martin Luther, about a 12 year old boy who had many of the same symptoms of severe autism. The boy was thought to be cursed and possessed by the devil.
In 1910, Eugen Bleuler used the term "autism" (in Greek, means self-involved) to describe a psychological disorder that delays responses and thinking along with insufficient emotional responses. This condition later became known as Schizophrenia, but Bleuler's new word would help scientists and geneticists later.
In 1938, Hans Asperger also tried to describe autism from what he had experienced (high IQ, lack of social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and a large vocabulary). His description was accurate, but it was for the wrong disorder. The disorder he described was later called Asperger Syndrome.
In the year 1944, a man named Leo Kanner at John Hopkins University, first described Autism as "disturbances of effective contact". This was from his 1943 paper that described his patients, their symptoms, and his description of autism. At first, Kanner received a 33 page letter from a concerned father explaining his son's odd behaviors. Some of the behaviors were: reference to himself in 3rd person; repetition of words and phrases spoken to him; irrelevant use of vocabulary; happiest when he was alone; throwing temper tantrums often. Kanner used Bleuler's term, "autism", to describe the boy's condition, along with the other patients who had similar symptoms. His use of the term was the most accurate description of the condition, according to today's research.