Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Autism are both common terms used for a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders. ASD is primarily characterized by deficits in communication and social interactions, unusual behavior and interests, while impacting the nervous system and affecting overall cognitive, emotional, social and physical wellbeing of the individual. The signs and symptoms of autism are typically noticed in the first three years of life. Autism affects the way a child relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people. Subsequently, this grossly impacts development in the areas of daily functioning and social interaction. Mental capacities may be compromised due to atypical (subnormal) functioning of some areas of the brain. Hence, children with Autism have special needs that must be addressed differently.
Autism is usually diagnosed in early childhood and despite extensive studies, the exact cause of Autism remains elusive. However, with increased awareness, rapidly evolving technology and ever-growing research, it is now understood that an intricate interplay of genetics and environmental factors may be responsible for the onset of Autism. Research has established that early diagnosis and intervention, along with access to appropriate support lead to significantly improved outcomes. When Autism is detected and treated early, disruptive behaviors can be minimized and the quality of life of the individual can be bettered and moulded significantly.
The root of the term "autism" is derived from the Greek word "autos" meaning "self".
1799 Dr. Jean Itard report about Victor with his book 'An Account of a Savage' and described the symptoms of autism for the first time.
1911 Dr. Eugen Bleuler, Swiss psychiatrist first used the term autism.
1943 Dr. Leo Kanner, Austrian psychiatrist published a series of 11 children who displayed 'early infantile autism' as a new condition.
1943 Dr. Hans Asperger, Austrian pediatrician published a research paper on autism in young men.
1981 Dr. Lorna Wing, British psychiatrist introduced the term Asperger syndrome.
Paul Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, first coined the term in 1911 . He used it to describe a subset of schizophrenic patients who seemed to be self- absorbed and withdrawn. As time passed, our thinking and understanding of autism has evolved dramatically. An analysis of the description of behavior traits observed in several early documented cases suggests that these are in fact cases of what we now recognize as Autism. One famous and well documented example of this would be the story of Victor, the Wild Boy of Aveyron, who was found naked in a French forest. Victor did not understand language and would eat only half-burned or roasted potatoes, walnuts and raw chestnuts. Some even believed that he had been reared by wolves. The French physician Dr. Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard took Victor under his care and brought him to Paris. Dr. Itard spent several years trying to help Victor to integrate into human society and teaching him language. He was not completely successful as Victor only learned some French words, but never fully understood the language. However, there was an improvement in Victorâs fine motor skills and communication. He also developed a friendship with his caregivers. It is now known that Victor may have been autistic and whoever he lived with was unable to understand him. Hence, although Autism seems to be a new condition, a look at its history suggests that it may have always existed..
Dr. Leo Kanner (pronounced "conner") and Dr. Hans Asperger have played the most crucial roles in introducing Autism to the world. In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner, an Austrian psychiatrist working at Johns Hopkins Hospital, published a paper describing 11 children who displayed a "strong desire of being alone", had a "resistance to change" or a "need for sameness". He introduced the term "early infantile autism" to describe his observations. A year later, Dr. Hans Asperger, also an Austrian psychiatrist, described similar characteristics in a group of children he was treating. It is was eventually accepted as a diagnosis in 1981 and coined as "Aspergerâs Syndrome" by Dr Lorna Wing, an English Psychiatrist, who pioneered in child development disorders and advanced the perception of Autism, worldwide.
According to CDC, USA reports of March 24th 2023, 1 in 36 children have autism. The last decade has seen a significant jump in the incidence from 1 in 88 in 2012. This increase has been alarming. The prevalence of Autism varies considerably from country to country. No factors have been identified to contribute to the increased prevalence in different countries.
The studies have picked up a steep rise in the prevalence of autism.
Studies have also shown that boys are 5 times more likely to develop Autism than girls.
40 cases per 10,000 children
66 cases per 10,000 children
94 cases per 10,000 children
45 cases per 10,000 children
161 cases per 10,000 children
17 cases per 10,000 children
72 cases per 10,000 children
9.2 cases per 10,000 children
65 cases per 10,000 children
27 cases per 10,000 children
68 cases per 10,000 children
Lord, C., Cook, E. H., Leventhal, B. L., & Amaral, D. G. (2013). Autism spectrum disorders. Autism: The Science of Mental Health, 28(2), 217.
Feinstein, A. (2011). A history of autism: Conversations with the pioneers. John Wiley & Sons.
Starostina, N. (2016). Victor, the Wild Boy of Aveyron (c. 1788 â 1828), and the Rise of Special Education in Modern France,
Baron-Cohen, S. (2015). Leo Kanner, Hans Asperger, and the discovery of autism. The Lancet, 386(10001), 1329-1330.
Kanner, L. (1943), Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact, Nervous Child, 2, pp.217-250.
Kanner, L. (1946), Irrelevant and Metaphorical Language in Early Infantile Autism, American Journal of Psychiatry, 103, pp.242-246.
Kanner, L. & Eisenberg, L. (1956), Early Infantile Autism 1943-1955, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 26, pp.55-65.
Bender, L. (1982), In Memoriam Leo Kanner, MD June 13, 1894âApril 4, 1981, J Am Acad Child Psychiatry 21(1): 88-89.
Asperger, H. (1944), Die âAutistischen Psychopathenâ im Kindesalter, Archiv fur Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten, 117, pp.76-136.
Asperger, H. (1968), Zur Differentialdiagnose des Kindlichen Autismus, Acta paedopsychiatrica, 35, pp.136-145.
Asperger, H. (1979), Problems of Infantile Autism, Communication, 13, pp.45-52
Find lots of insights and information on our blog
21 Apr 2026
Finding the right place to stay during a transition is hard enough. Now add sensory sensitivities into the mix. Think about a hotel lobby with that harsh fluorescent buzz, or […]
11 Apr 2026
When we talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), most conversations focus on communication, behaviour, learning, and sensory differences. However, there is another important aspect of autism that often goes unnoticed […]
20 Feb 2026
Travel days feel easier when your travel gear matches your sensory profile from the start. First, note sounds, lights, textures, and smells that stress you. Then, list items that calm […]
20 Feb 2026
High-responsibility careers often reward focus, precision, and deep expertiseâtraits many autistic professionals bring in abundance. Yet behind outward success, a quieter struggle often unfolds. Long hours, constant decisions, and pressure […]
16 Feb 2026
If you are a parent to a child with autism, sudden aggressive behaviour can feel frightening and confusing. One day your child may seem calm; the next, they may begin […]