-
First time the term autism was used
According to Dr. Ananya Mandal, MD, "The term autism first was used by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1908. He used it to describe a schizophrenic patient who had withdrawn into his own world. The Greek word ''autós'' meant self and the word 'autism' was used by Bleuler to mean morbid self-admiration and withdrawal within self" (Mandal, 2014). -
Period: to
The History of Autism
Austim Speaks defines that "autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors." This timeline was made to show the development and changes over the years in autism research, screening, diagnosis, treatments, laws and societal views. -
Autism term coined
According to Dr.Barrett, "The term autism was first coined in 1943 by Leo Kanner,M.D., at Johns Hopkins University, after he observed a unique group of behaviors in 11 children, including severe withdrawal from emotional contact, an inability to develop normal relationships and a failure to use language for communication" (Barrett, 2011). Dr. Kanner later in his life stated that he did not discover autism because it had always been there, says Donvan and Zucker (2016). -
Asperger
CQ research states that, "Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger describes four children with high intelligence, dubbed “little professors,” with a form of autism later called Asperger’s syndrome" (CQ Press, 2014). -
Mothers are the cause
During the 60s, Dr. Rowland Barret states, "Mothers were particularly targeted for “causing” autism by being obsessed with perfection, domineering, or cool and aloof (so-called “refrigerator mothers”). Such parental behavior was thought to drive the child to psychologically regress into an emotionally protective shell that needed to be “hatched” through treatment." By the mid 70s, studies done on twins proved it was a result of parenting (2011). -
First meeting/charity for autism
A group of parents with children with autism met at one of their homes in London. They decided to start a chartity foundation which they called The Society for Psychotic Children, which was later changed to The National Autisic Society due to the stigma and negative views of people labeled psychotic. -
Misdiagnosis
During the 1970s, most children with autism where misdiagnosed as mentally retarded or schizophrenic. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Congress mandated free public education for all children with disabilities, called Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which later became known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (CQ Press, 2014). -
DSM-III testing
DSM-III distinguishes autism from childhood schizophrenia (Autism Speaks). -
ABA Therapy
Norwegian-American psychologist O. Ivar Lovaas reports almost half of children catch up to their peers with Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy (CQ Press, 2014). According to Autism Speaks, "applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior. Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle" (Austim Speaks). -
Rain Man
The movie Rain Man is released. It stared Dustin Hoffman as an autistic savant who has a photographic memory and can calculate huge numbers in his head. This was important for raising public awareness and acceptance of the disorder. -
Autism added to special education
Department of Education adds autism as category eligible for free special-education services under IDEA and during that school year over 5,000 students were serviced under this category (CQ Press, 2014). -
APA acception
"The APA officially accepted autism as a spectrum of disorders, the same year it recognized Asperger’s. That broadened definition, many experts believe, was a key factor behind the rising num- ber and range of autism diagnoses" (CQ Press, 2014). -
Vaccines and autism?
According to CQ Research, "British physician Andrew Wakefield publishes now-discredited article in Lancet linking autism to vaccines" (CQ Press, 2014). Barrett agrees, "It was hypothesized that children developed autism after receiving vaccinations. Multiple internationally conducted studies have proven unequivocally that there is no connection among thimerosal, vaccines, and autism" (2011). -
Mercury in vaccines
California reports steep rise in autism; federal government asks vaccine manufacturers to phase out mercury-containing thimerosal in childhood vaccines (CQ Press, 2014). Barrett concludes, "the theory that vaccines cause autism persists: one out of every four parents considers not immunizing their child, putting everyone at risk It is important — and scary — to note that there are children with autism who have never received a single vaccination" (Barrett, 2011). -
Vaccine theory debunked
A danish study debunks the theory that autism is linked to childhood vaccines (CQ Press, 2014). -
Autism on the rise
Autism affects one in 125 children, up from one in 150 in 2002.(CQ Press, 2014). -
Health insurance for autism
South Carolina becomes the first state to require health insurers to cover autism treatment (CQ Press, 2014). -
U.S. court declaration
Wakefield’s 1998 article is retracted and U.S. vaccine court declares thimerosal does not cause autism (CQ Press, 2014). -
ASD- two categories
The DSM-5 folds all subcategories of the condition into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Asperger's Syndrome is no longer considered a separate condition. ASD is defined by two categories: 1) Impaired social communication and/or interaction. 2) Restricted and/or repetitive behaviors (Autism Speaks). -
Affordable Care Act
CQ research states, "Obama introduces BRAIN research initiative. 26 states direct health insurers to cover behavioral treatments for autism in insurance purchased under the Affordable Care Act" (2014). -
Autism rates rise again
CDC reports 1 in 68 children have autism, which is a big increase from 1 in 125 in 2004. This was stemed by the improvement in screening and diagnostic techniques (Autism Speaks). -
Future of Autism
"If science could predict autism, that could raise new ethical questions. Recent research suggests that the brain of the autistic fetus may already look different from typical brains. If parents could determine before birth that their child was likely to be born autistic, what would be the implications? Such knowledge might help parents start behavioral treatment as early as possible, when it tends to be most effective. However, some parents might choose to abort a fetus" (CQ Press, 2014). -
Conclusion
Throughout the years, many questions have been answered about Autism. There have been new laws and treatments to help individuals with Autism. Movies and education have helped society become more accepting and understanding. Although we still have a long way to go, great strides have been made in the last 100 years. I am sure there will be many new developments with all the new medicine, treatments, and technology adavances that continue.
