You might think Autism was just identified over the last few decades, but it was actually identified nearly 80 year ago.
In 1908, the term “autism” was first used by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler to describe a schizophrenic patient he was treating who had withdrawn into his own world. From the Greek word “autós” meaning self, Bleuler used the word “autism” to indicate morbid self-admiration and withdrawal within self.
This definition of autism is very misleading, and the true pioneers in modern autism research were Hans Asperger and Leo Kanner.
In 1943, American child psychiatrist Kanner studied 11 children. The children had difficulties in social interactions, difficulty adapting to changes in routines, good memories, sensitivity to sound, resistance to food, food allergies, good intellectual potential, a tendency to repeat the words of a speaker, and difficulties with spur-of-the-moment activities.
In 1944, a German scientist Hans Asperger described a “milder” form of Autism previously called as Asperger’s Syndrome. The cases he reported were all boys who were highly intelligent but had trouble with social interactions and specific obsessive interests. Today, the diagnosis “Asperger’s Syndrome” is no longer made and children with these characteristics are said to be level one on the autism spectrum.
Diagnosing Autism has taken several detours over the years. Autism was initially described as a form of childhood schizophrenia and the result of “refrigerator moms” (cold or unemotional mother.” It was diagnosed as a set of related developmental disorders, and then finally as a spectrum condition with wide-ranging degrees of deficiencies.
Along with these shifting views, its diagnostic criteria have changed as well. The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM), released in 1994 was the first edition to categorize Autism as a spectrum. This version listed five conditions with distinct features. In addition to Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), it added ‘Asperger’s disorder’ also at the mild end of the spectrum. It also recognized ‘childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD),’ characterized by severe developmental reversals and regressions, and Rett Syndrome.
This has since evolved again, and now all individuals fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorder umbrella. A diagnosis of ASD now includes all of those conditions previously diagnosed separately.
There are many approaches to treatments including applied behavior analysis, social skills training, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sensory integration therapy, and assistive technology.
The types of treatments generally can be placed into one of the following categories:
- Behavior and Communication Approaches
- Dietary Approaches
- Medication
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Early diagnosis and intervention for children with Autism is critical and dramatically improves outcomes of the disorder.
The CDC recommends regular screenings of young children for signs of Autism. Parents are encouraged to monitor early signs and symptoms and bring any concerns to the attention of the pediatrician.
Imagine Pediatrics offers free screenings for children who show symptoms of Autism and other developmental challenges. Please email us at office@imaginepeds.com to request your child’s evaluation today.
