3 entries found
autism (n.)
1912, from German
Autismus
, coined 1912 by Swiss psychiatrist Paul Bleuler from Greek
autos
"self" (see
auto-
) +
-ismos
suffix of action or of state. The notion is of "morbid self-absorption."
autistic (adj.)
1912 (Bleuler), from
autism
(q.v.). Noun meaning "person with autism" is recorded from 1968 (earlier in this sense was
autist
). Related:
Autistically
.
Asperger's Syndrome (n.)
1981, named for the sake of Austrian pediatrician Hans
Asperger
(1906-1980), who described it in 1944 (and called it
autistic psychopathy
; German
autistischen psychopathen
). A standard diagnosis since 1992; recognition of Asperger's work was delayed, perhaps, because his school and much of his early research were destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944. The example of autism shows particularly well how even abnormal personalities can be capable of development and adjustment. Possibilities of social integration which one would never have dremt of may arise in the course of development. [Hans Asperger, "Autistic psychopathy in Childhood," 1944]
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