Autism Through History

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that has long been misunderstood and stigmatised. Over the centuries, psychiatrists and researchers have devoted their lives to studying this complex condition. Between misconceptions and groundbreaking discoveries, here’s how our understanding and perception of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have evolved throughout history.

The Word “Autism”

Coined in 1911 by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, the term autism comes from the Greek word autos, meaning “self.” Bleuler used it to describe a detachment from external reality, reduced engagement with the environment, and withdrawal into the inner world — in the context of schizophrenia.

Initially, the word referred to a symptom within adult psychiatric disorders. Later, this idea of “self-withdrawal” was observed independently and recognised as a distinct condition — helping to avoid the pathological conflations that had previously led to inappropriate treatments.

Leo Kanner: The First Description of Autism

In the 1940s, Austrian-American psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a groundbreaking study that laid the foundation for modern autism research. In his 1943 paper titled “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact,” he clinically described what he called early infantile autism.

He identified key traits such as:– difficulties in social interaction– repetitive and restricted behaviours– narrow, intense interests

Bernard Rimland: Autism as a Neurodevelopmental Condition

In the 1960s, American psychologist Bernard Rimland challenged the dominant psychoanalytic theory that blamed cold, emotionally distant parenting — the infamous “refrigerator mother” theory.

Rimland argued instead that autism was a biologically based neurodevelopmental condition. He founded the Autism Society of America and helped reframe autism as a medical condition, removing the burden of parental guilt.

Asperger, “High-Functioning”: And Why These Terms Are Best Left Behind

Autism without intellectual disability, sometimes labelled “high-functioning” or Asperger syndrome, was described by Hans Asperger in the 1940s. He observed children with:– social difficulties– restricted interests– repetitive behaviours– but no significant language delay

While his work expanded awareness, it carries a darker legacy.

During Nazi-era Germany, Asperger and other physicians were involved in discriminatory and eugenic practices — including support for forced sterilisation and the euthanasia of disabled people. The full extent of Asperger’s involvement remains debated, but the ethical concerns are well documented.

As a result, the continued use of the term “Asperger syndrome” has been widely questioned for its historical associations. In 2013, the publication of the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) officially removed Asperger syndrome as a separate diagnosis, integrating it into the broader autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Why This Terminological Shift Matters

This change reflects a deeper understanding of autism as a spectrum — with a broad range of traits, without rigid classifications by severity or functioning level.

Recognising the uniqueness of every autistic individual, modern frameworks reject labels that could exclude or narrow our view of the condition. Today, diagnostic systems favour an inclusive reference to the autism spectrum as a whole.

And Today?

It’s essential to promote inclusion and understanding of autistic people, by recognising their diversity, sensory needs, and individual ways of being.

This evolving terminology reflects a shift toward a more holistic, strength-based approach — one that emphasises abilities, differences, and above all, respect.