-
Eugen Bleuler coins "autism"
He is the first person to use the word autism. The word comes from the Greek work "autos" meaning self (Mandal, 2014). -
Leo Kanner studied 11 children.
Kanner studied 11 children with deficits in social interactions, adapting to change, sound sensitivity, and other communication deficits (Mandal, 2014). These children were thought to have Autism. -
Hans Asperger works with similar children.
Asperger studied similar children who were seemingly higher-functioning. They did not have the severe deficits in social communication (Mandal, 2014). -
Harmful treatments used
In the 1960s, harmful treatments were used on children with Autism including electric shock to create behavior change through pain ("The History of Autism," 2009). -
Bruno Bettelheim suggest cold parenting is the cause of Autism.
Bettelheim studied children with Autism and suggested the cause was removed and unemotional mothers. The idea was later proven incorrect (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
1 in 5000
In 1975, 1 in 5000 people were diagnosed with Autism (Autism Speaks, 2009). -
Brain development could be a cause.
Research completed on twins suggests that brain development and genetics could be a cause for Autism (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
Autism declared separate from schizophrenia.
The DSM-III separates Autism and childhood schizophrenia as different diagnoses (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
1 in 2500
In 1985, 1 in 2500 people were diagnosed with Autism (Autism Speaks, 2009). -
Ivar Lovaas completed the 1st study on behavior therapy.
Lovaas, Ph.D., completed a study to show how intensive behavior therapy could actually help children with Autism (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
Checklist for diagnostic criteria created.
The DSM-IIIR included a checklist for diagnostic criteria and changed the label to "autistic disorder" (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
Highly controlled learning environments become treatment.
Studies on behavior therapy become a more popular form of treatment as well as highly-controlled learning environments ("The History of Autism," 2009). -
Autism is a Special Education category.
Autism is added a special education category meaning public schools are now able to identify children with Autism and begin giving services ("The History of Autism," 2009). -
Asperger's Syndrome now included under Autism umbrella.
The DSM-IV now includes Asperger's Syndrome as an autism disorder (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
1 in 500
In 1995, 1 in 500 people were diagnosed with Autism (Autism Speaks, 2009). -
MMR vaccine is a possible cause.
In 1998, a study was published stating that the MMR vaccine could be a potential cause for Autism. The article was later recalled and proven incorrect (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
Mercury removed from vaccines.
Even after the study on vaccines was recalled, thimerosal (mercury-substance) was removed from vaccinations in 2000 (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
1 in 250
In 2001, 1 in 250 people were diagnosed with Autism (Autism Speaks, 2009). -
1 in 166
In 2004, 1 in 166 people were diagnosed with Autism (Autism Speaks, 2009). -
1 in 150
In 2007, the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders rose to 1 in 150 (Christensen et al., 2016). -
1 in 110
By 2009, the rate of Autism was up to 1 in 110 (Christensen et al., 2016). -
1 in 88
The rate of Autism grew to 1 in 88 in 2012 (Christensen et al., 2016). -
Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes a larger umbrella.
The DSM-5 now uses a wider umbrella "Autism Spectrum Disorder" to classify conditions with social communication deficits and restricted behaviors (Sole-Smith, 2014). -
1 in 68
The most recent reports show that, as of 2014, the rates of Autism Spectrum Disorders are as high as 1 in every 68 children (Christensen et al., 2016). -
References
The references used for this timeline can be found at the following link.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13y7KaGDa6cPieoxYozTywIzZpmO4AidLxGDOCkUIc-U/edit?usp=sharing