Autism Timeline

  • Eugen Bleuler

    Coined the term "autism" while working with withdrawn schizophrenic patients
  • Leo Kanner

    Child psychiatrist publishes one of the first papers on a study of 11 children accurately described as what he calls "early infantile autism".
  • Hans Asperger

    The German scientist described a condition of "milder" autism where children are withdrawn from social interaction and had specific obsessive interests.
  • Period: to

    Autism or Schizophrenia?

    At this time Autism was widely known as Childhood Schizophrenia
  • Lorna Wing

    Began researching/working with children and eventually produced findings of a spectrum.
  • Period: to

    Ole Ivar Lovaas

    Developed a method for 1:1 therapy for Autistic children involving intensive direct therapy in the home
  • Autism Society Founded

    by Bernard Rimland
  • Refigerator Moms

    Bruno Bettelheim popularized the theory that "refrigerator moms" caused autism by being cold to their children and not providing them with enough love and attention.
  • Period: to

    Autism or "Mental Retardation"?

    During this time many parents still confused Autism for psychosis or mental retardation.
  • TEACCH

    As a result of Eric Schopler's research the foundation was created
  • Twin Research

    Shows Autism is largely genetic and caused by biological differences in brain development. Thus, debunking myths of poor parenting resulting in Autism
  • DSM-III

    acknowledges "Infantile Autism" officially distinguishing it from Schizophrenia
  • Period: to

    Asperger's Research

    Translated into English and therefore came into knowledge
  • DSM-IIIR

    Lays out a checklist criteria for Autism.
  • Special Education

    The federal government makes Autism a special education category.
  • Asperger's Recognized

    Officially recognized in the DSM
  • Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

    A study linking the two was published leading to people still believing this myth today despite it being debunked several times.
  • Thimersol Removed from vaccines

    Due to public fear over the debunked myth linking vaccines and Autism.
  • CDC

    Identified 1/110 children as having Autism.
  • DSMV

    Folded all sub categories into on umbrella term "ASD"