The History of Autism: From Early Observations to Modern Understanding
Updated on June 3, 2025If you want to understand autism better, you have to know its history. The understanding and diagnosis of autism continue to evolve as research advances. . Whereas autism was once thought to be a type of schizophrenia, it is now understood as a neurological disorder that covers a wide range of symptoms and behaviors. Supporting individuals with autism begins with understanding the characteristics of autism. From there, you can develop practical strategies to help your child with autism thrive.
Early Observations
Historically, observations and attitudes towards autism were primarily connected to health and personality issues. Early references describe autism as shyness (likely for Level 1 individuals); voluntary mutism; ; premature dementia; and introversion.
The language that was once used to describe autistic people would be completely unacceptable to us today; these terms include developmental retardation, ‘idiot savants’, ‘schizoids’, and ‘mental defectives’.
The Origins of Diagnosis
Ironically, it was psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler who invented the terms “autism” and “schizophrenia” back in 1908, with autism considered an aspect of schizophrenic (“split mind”) behavior. He was referring to the way in which autistic people tend to focus on their internal world (i.e. “autos” came from the Greek word for “self”).
Another milestone in the evolution of autism diagnosis occurred 30 years later, when psychiatrist Hans Asperger defined what he termed autistic psychopathy (a now-outdated term). In another irony, it was Asperger who recognized that many autistic people show different forms of high intelligence.
However, the term “Asperger’s Syndrome” was not coined until 1976. Psychiatrist Lorna Wing believed that the children whom Asperger studied demonstrated a distinct form of behavior (while this opinion was essentially overturned by 2013).
And then came Leo Kanner. Kanner’s “Child Psychiatry” from 1935 was the first such book written in the United States, and one of the first English-language publications to enable creating routines to support your child’s growth. Leo Kanner’s identification of ‘Kanner’s Syndrome’ significantly advanced autism awareness. This identified autism as what are today regarded as Levels 2 and 3 (whereas Asperger’s is closer to Level 1).
Evolution of Diagnostic Criteria
The evolving attitudes toward autism is reflected perhaps nowhere more starkly than in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), psychiatry’s essential diagnostic tool. As ideas about autism changed, so too did the DSM’s definition of it (the DSM is now in its fifth edition).
It was actually Kanner’s Syndrome that sparked DSM’s first mention of autism, which only occurs once in the first manual. Even in 1968, when DSM-II arrived, understanding autism was still primitive; this edition still describes it as a form of schizophrenia.
DSM-III, from 1980, was a breakthrough. Autism was finally recognized as different from schizophrenia, along with specific conditions for identifying it. This allowed parents to get a diagnosis and receive special education services.
Autism in the Modern Era
The first mention of autism as a spectrum disorder was in DSM-IV. Today, DSM-V has eliminated Asperger’s and other autism-like behaviors altogether, in favor of a wider definition and understanding of neurodiversity.
This move was essential for members of the autism community. Suddenly, autism went from a statistical occurrence of 1 in 10,000 (according to DSM-1) to 1 in 31! Such a large population led to an increase in the level of funding for autism research, which has almost doubled from 2011. In turn, more therapeutic approaches have been developed, both for clinics and caregivers who want to develop healthy habits for families with special needs. Autism has even attracted the attention of the high-tech world, which has brilliantly conceived innovative products to encourage communication with non-verbal children.
Public Perception Through the Decades
One of the greatest effects of enhanced autism knowledge is that autistic people’s differences are now seen as different in a positive way. Being on the autism spectrum is increasingly accepted and even embraced in popular culture,, as demonstrated by a number of TV and movie characters who have autism. This is amplified by other important societal trends, such as the neurodiversity movement, extensive government programs, and national advocacy agencies. Public concern about autistic people has also led to improved search programs for those who wander, and a long list of safety tips for preventing wandering in children with autism.
Reflections on Autism History
History teaches us that medical understanding is always evolving, and assumptions are often proven incomplete. The transformation of our understanding of autism proves the point. By arming ourselves with the knowledge of autism’s history, it empowers us to better support the future of individuals with autism. By continuing this research, we generate ever greater awareness, acceptance, and new therapies and technologies that can be life-changing. With continued work from scientists, and continued dedication from caregivers, we will surely be discovering ever more ways to maximize the quality of life for autistic people and their families.
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