Autism: a single word that can represent an endless amount of possibilities. It is a spectrum that represents a wide range of individuals, all with unique traits. However, autism is so vast that it is often difficult to define what autism is. From different naming conventions and diagnosis techniques to it not being known for sure what the physical manifestation of autism is, a shroud of mystery often masks autism.
Before unraveling what autism is, one needs to have a definition of autism. However, as mentioned above, this can be difficult sometimes. The National Institute of Mental Health defines it as a “neurological and developmental disorder” that impacts social skills, behavior, and intelligence. However, that is their particular definition of autism spectrum disorder. Traditionally, autism could have many different names — often including instances of misdiagnosing.
The first whispers of what would become autism arose in the early 1900s as a diagnosis of individuals unable to communicate or share their “inner life,” according to Eugen Bleuler in 1911, who was trying to create a more fitting diagnosis for individuals typically diagnosed as schizophrenic. For the next few decades, this was the standard definition of autism: a children’s disorder that caused hallucinations, vivid imaginations, and the inability to grow into a “normal” member of society.
In 1944, another scientist, Hans Asperger, published autism research focusing on children’s social skills and communicative development. Then, in the 1960s into the 1980s, during a global movement of reorganizing mental health away from institutionalizations into therapy and education, autism changed to be defined as individuals who struggle with social communication and imagination — a complete reversal of the original definition. However, standard diagnoses did not include this new definition until 1994. At that point, individuals received a diagnosis of having autism or Aspergers — with Aspergers being a more specific diagnosis of autism that emphasizes the exchange of social skills for intellect.
However, in the 21st century, with significant changes in mental health awareness and anti-stigmatization, another reformation of autism occurred, splintering what was once a single definition into many. For one, the term “Aspergers” was removed from the standard diagnosis list for multiple reasons, including it not being inclusive enough or too inclusive and controversy over Hans Asperger’s personal history, to name a few. Beyond Asperger, the term “high-functioning autism” was also used for a few years before being phased out because it was seen as derogatory to those diagnosed with autism but not as high-functioning, as well as those diagnosed as high-functioning who felt pressured by needing to always appear as “functioning.”
The solution to this fragmentation of the definition of autism was the creation of a new, all-encompassing diagnosis: autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD, introduced in 2014, allows for a general diagnosis and more individualized definitions (Aspergers/high-functioning autism would be on the top of the ASD spectrum). ASD has since been the standard diagnosis for individuals exhibiting the traditional traits of autism, Aspergers, or high-functioning autism: abnormal development of social and cognitive behaviors. However, there have been criticisms of ASD, so the definition of autism may change yet again.
Although autism’s definition may be closer to being solved, many mysteries can still be explored, from the diagnostic processes to historical figures with autism; there is always more autism to unmask.
