The history of autism in society is a journey that spans over 100 years
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In 1943, Leo Kanner, an American doctor, published the influential paper, “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact”.
In it, Kanner identified some of the core traits of autism: obsession with repetition and routine, limited interests and repetitive gestures. He also fostered two misconceptions about autism. First, that it was extremely rare. Second, that negligent parents or "refrigerator mothers" were to blame. Together these misconceptions created a stigma for those with autism and their families. Autistic children who were diagnosed were largely shipped to institutions for the next three decades while those without a diagnosis received no treatment. |
In 1944, Hans Asperger, an Austrian researcher, published his paper on autism.
Asperger worked with a group of children he called his "little professors." His paper would later offer a new paradigm in which to view autism, one of acceptance and inclusion. Asperger's work was buried due to being published in German during WWII. It was found thirty years later by Lorna Wing. Recently Asperger was found to be associated with the Nazi Party and while his work remains valid, his legacy and fame have been revoked. |
In 1988, the hit movie Rain Man featured the first autistic protagonist. Raymond Babbitt, played by Dustin Hoffman, showed the world what autism could look like and brought huge public awareness. (McCarthy)
One year later, Temple Grandin rose to the spotlight as one of the first with the disorder to explain what it was like to be autistic from their own personal experience. She became a spokesperson for the disorder, inventing therapeutic devices for those with autism along the way. She also transformed the ranching industry to become more humane with her PhD in animal science. This feat proved to the public that individuals with autism could make incredible contributions to society.
However, the rapid rise in autism awareness came with a cost. Since autism was considered extremely rare and is now estimated to affect 1 in 59 children, many feared that autism was actually increasing. (Autism Speaks) This made society susceptible to the fallacy that vaccines cause autism and to the Anti-vax movement.
Today we are moving past these misconceptions.
The following pages aim to investigate how society can reconcile the disorder and beauty of Autism.
Image Credit:
Mastroianni, Brian “Why Doctors Changed the Way They Categorize Autism.” EverydayHealth.com, Getty Images, 4/9/2018, https://www.everydayhealth.com/autism/types/.
Berlin-Charlottenburg "Eugene Bleuler” US National Library of Medicine, NIS, 19--, http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101434737.
Eminent Dead. “Leo Kanner.” Eminent Dead, 2019, https://eminentdead.com/history/leo-kanner-on-the-importance-and-purpose-of-quotes/1388.
Chan Athena. “Hans Asperger.” TechTimes.com, April 20, 2018, https://www.techtimes.com/articles/225741/20180420/autism-pioneer-alleged-to-have-worked-with-nazis-in-child-euthanasia-who-is-hans-asperger.htm.
National Autistic Society. “Lorna Wing.” Autism.org.uk, NAS, October 4, 2018, https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2018-10-04-lorna-wing.aspx.
Mastroianni, Brian “Why Doctors Changed the Way They Categorize Autism.” EverydayHealth.com, Getty Images, 4/9/2018, https://www.everydayhealth.com/autism/types/.
Berlin-Charlottenburg "Eugene Bleuler” US National Library of Medicine, NIS, 19--, http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101434737.
Eminent Dead. “Leo Kanner.” Eminent Dead, 2019, https://eminentdead.com/history/leo-kanner-on-the-importance-and-purpose-of-quotes/1388.
Chan Athena. “Hans Asperger.” TechTimes.com, April 20, 2018, https://www.techtimes.com/articles/225741/20180420/autism-pioneer-alleged-to-have-worked-with-nazis-in-child-euthanasia-who-is-hans-asperger.htm.
National Autistic Society. “Lorna Wing.” Autism.org.uk, NAS, October 4, 2018, https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2018-10-04-lorna-wing.aspx.