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 The understanding of autism has evolved significantly since the early 20th century. While terms like "autism" were used earlier in the 1900s, particularly by Eugen Bleuler, who associated it with schizophrenia, it was in the 1940s that Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger made significant contributions to describing and differentiating various presentations of autism. Kanner introduced the term "early infantile autism" in 1943, while Asperger's work, largely overlooked until later, identified a subset of children with social difficulties but average or above-average intelligence. Here's a more detailed timeline:Early Descriptions (1900s): 

• 1911:Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler coined the term "autism" and used it to describe a symptom of schizophrenia, emphasizing withdrawal and detachment from reality. 
• 1906-1908:Italian psychiatrist Sante De Sanctis briefly mentioned a similar condition in his papers, which he called "dementia praecocissima," a form of premature dementia. 

Early Autism Research (1940s):

• 1943:Leo Kanner published a paper describing a group of children he termed "early infantile autism," highlighting their social and communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and resistance to change. 
• 1944:Hans Asperger published his work on children with similar traits to Kanner's, but who also possessed average or above-average intelligence. 
• Early 1940s:Donald Triplett became the first person formally diagnosed with autism by Kanner, known as "Case 1". 

Evolution of Understanding (1950s-1980s):

• 1950s-1960s:The term "refrigerator mothers" emerged, suggesting that autism was caused by cold and emotionally detached mothers. This theory was later disproven, and the focus shifted to neurological and genetic factors. 
• 1960s:The concept of sensory dominance in autistic children was explored through research and statistical methods. 
• 1970s:The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) began to include autism as a distinct diagnosis. 
• 1980s:Research on autism gained momentum, with a shift away from psychological explanations and towards neurological and genetic factors. 

Contemporary Understanding (1990s-Present): 

• 1990s:The term "Autism Spectrum Disorder" (ASD) was introduced in the DSM to encompass a broader range of conditions with similar characteristics. 
• Early 2000s:Asperger's syndrome was initially included in the DSM as a separate diagnosis but was later integrated into the ASD diagnosis in later versions of the DSM. 
• Ongoing:Continued research continues to refine diagnostic criteria, improve understanding of the genetic and neurological basis of autism, and explore effective treatment and support strategies. 

Key Figures:

• Eugen Bleuler: Coined the term "autism" and associated it with schizophrenia. 
• Leo Kanner: Introduced the term "early infantile autism" and described the key characteristics of autism. 
• Hans Asperger: Identified a subset of children with social difficulties but average or above-average intelligence, contributing to the understanding of the spectrum of autism. 
• Lorna Wing: Pioneer in the idea that autism is a spectrum condition. 

Important Note: The perception and understanding of autism have changed significantly over time, moving away from psychological explanations and towards neurological and genetic factors. Early theories about autism, such as the "refrigerator mother" hypothesis, are now widely discredited. The understanding of autism as a spectrum condition, encompassing a wide range of presentations, has been instrumental in helping families and individuals with ASD receive appropriate support and services.