1. Teagan Kohlbeck EDU 605-Fall 2017
Autism Timeline
Teagan Kohlbeck EDU 605-Fall 2017

2. Introduction
Since 1908 when the term autism was first used to today, we have moved towards a more inclusive environment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We have moved from not knowing much about the disorder or what the cause of autism was, to understanding the different strands and meeting autistic students needs in the public school setting through inclusion. There were different theories about what caused autism such as bad parenting but through several studies and close investigation into the disorder, we now know the cause is genetic.

3. 1908- Term “Autism” first used
Eugen Bleuler was a Swiss psychiatrist. In 1908, he first used the word autism to describe a schizophrenic patient he had. The patient was withdrawn in their own world. The Greek word “autos” means self or by oneself.

4. 1943- Autism first described as a condition.
Dr. Leo Kanner was an Austria-American psychiatrist and physician. He received a 33 page letter from a father of a 5-year-old boy named Donald. The letter described in detail the different unusual behaviors Donald showed on a daily basis. After meeting and observing Donald, Leo Kanner published a paper in 1943 called, Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact, which discussed Donald and 10 other children. He describes these 11 children in his paper as having “a powerful desire for aloneness and sameness”.

5. 1944- Asperger Syndrome Recognized
Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician, describes a milder form of autism which is now known as Asperger Syndrome. The cases Hans Asperger conducted were boys that displayed autism-like behaviors and lack of communication skills, yet displayed normal intelligence. This was the first time Asperger's was described.

6. 1965- The Autism Society of America developed
The Autism Society of America was developed in It was founded by Bernard Rimland and a small group of parents of children with autism. The goal of The Autism Society of America is to increase autism awareness, advocate, and provide opportunities of full participation to individuals with autism.
This is a movement towards being more inclusive because it raised awareness, provided parents with information, and advocated for individuals with autism.

7. 1967- “Refrigerator Mothers”
In 1967, Bruno Bettelheim popularized the theory that “refrigerator mothers” caused autism in children. His theory was that mothers that didn’t love their children enough was the cause of autism. He published the book, “The Empty Fortress: Infantile Autism and the Birth of Self” which was widely read by many readers.
This theory of “refrigerator mothers” was a step away from inclusion. Bettelheim’s theory led many people to believe this was the cause of autism and many blamed the children's mothers. We now know this destructive theory is false and that “not loving your child enough” is not the cause of autism.

8. 1977- Twins Study
In 1977, Dr. Susan Folstein and Professor Michael Rutter conducted a study of 21 British twins. 11 of the twins in this study were identical and 10 were non-identical. This study was published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. The conclusion of the study from the authors was: “The MZ-DZ difference in concordance for autism and the much larger difference in concordance for cognitive disorder clearly points strongly to the importance of genetic factors in the aetiology of autism. Indeed, the size of the MZ-DZ difference, together with the population frequency of autism indicate a very high heritability” (p. 307).
This study leads to being more inclusive because the study findings indicated that autism is caused by genetics and biological differences in brain development. This is a big step in moving towards a more inclusive environment now that the “refrigerator mother” theory is shown to be false.
Folstein S. and M. Rutter J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 18, (1977)

9. 1980- Infantile Autism
For the first time, “infantile autism” is listed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, also known as DSM. Autism is now listed as a distinct disorder and is separated from child schizophrenia.
This shows movement towards a more inclusive environment because the condition is listed as a distinct disorder and no longer grouped with child schizophrenia.

10. 1981- The ME book
Ivar Lovaas, a professor at UCLA, publishes Teaching Developmentally Disable Children: The ME Book in This manual was designed for use with children with autism and discusses the use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This is one of the first comprehensive manuals created in assisting parents techniques for helping children with autism.

11. 1987- Autism Disorder
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) replaces “infantile autism” with a more expansive definition of “autism disorder”. This also includes a checklist for diagnostic criteria.

12. 1988- Rain Man Released
Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise star in the movie, Rain Man, which is based on a true story. In the film, Hoffman plays an autistic older brother to Cruise’s character, Charlie. The movie follows the brothers’ journey as Charlie learns to accept and love his brother for who he is.
This movie is a step towards an inclusive environment because it brings autism awareness. It also portrays the message that autism is not something that can be changed and we must respect differences in others and accept them for who they are. This movie had a huge impact on public perceptions of autism.

13. 1990-Autism becomes disability category
In 1990, the Autism Society of America lobbied for the independent classification of autism. This occurred with the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
This event moves towards a more inclusive environment. This movement called for students with autism to be entitled to free appropriate public education (FAPE). Under IDEA, students with autism receive individualized education programs or an individualized family service plan.

14. 1991- Autism becomes special education category
In 1991, the federal government makes autism a special education category.
This is a step towards inclusion because public schools can now identify students meeting the criteria for autism and provide students with individualized services to best meet their specific learning needs.

15. 1993- Let Me Hear Your Voice published
In 1993, Catherine Maurice published the book, Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph Over Autism. In the book, Catherine Maurice discussed her two children with autism and the use of techniques from applied behavioral analysis. This book leads Catherine Maurice to become an advocate for behavior analysis with autistic children.

16. 1995- Temple Grandin Autobiography
In 1995, Dr. Temple Grandin published her book, Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports from My Life with Autism. This book highlights what it is like to live with autism and the importance of early intervention. She also discusses the importance of continuous instruction for children with autism.
This leads us to a more inclusive setting because it is from the viewpoint of someone living with autism and how it affects her. The emphasis she places on early intervention and continuous instruction is also important for others to know so we can continue towards a more inclusive environment for autistic individuals.

17. 2013- Umbrella diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder
In 2013, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders creates an umbrella diagnosis for the subcategories of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Asperger’s is no longer considered a separate diagnosis and now falls under the umbrella diagnosis. Autism Spectrum Disorder is now defined under two sub-categories. These subcategories are impaired social communication and/or interaction and restricted and/or repetitive behaviors. This leads to a more inclusive environment because the subcategories give specific information about where the individual is and how to best meet their specific needs.

18. Conclusion
Since 1908, we have moved towards a more inclusive environment. We know that autism is caused by genetics and not “refrigerator mothers”. The events in this timeline have shown a movement towards inclusion of students with autism where they are given individualized education plans in the public education setting and no longer pushed out of the classroom. This timeline is significant in showing the ways we have grown as a community towards a more inclusive environment.

19. Resources
Parents: The History of Autism- autism/
PBS: A Cultural History of Autism. history/
Villa, R. & Thousand, J. (2005). Creating an inclusive school (2nd edition). Alexandria, VA: ACSD
Kanner L. Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child 2, (1943)
The Autism Society:
Folstein S. and M. Rutter J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 18, (1977)