History Of Autism Treatment Was Barbaric
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The Barbaric History of Autism Treatment
The history of autism treatment is surprisingly brief, especially considering its prevalence today. The term "autism" was introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, originally in the context of adult schizophrenia. It wasn’t until the 1940s that autism was defined more closely to how we understand it now. In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins University used the term to describe behaviors he observed over five years in 11 children, who began to withdraw socially from around age one.
Around the same time, German scientist Hans Asperger identified a similar condition, now known as Asperger's Syndrome. Following these discoveries, it was mistakenly believed that parents of autistic children were lacking in warmth and affection, contributing to their children's condition.
Throughout the 1960s, autism was often misdiagnosed as schizophrenia, and parents frequently blamed themselves due to a prevailing Freudian theory. This theory suggested that if essential psychological bonds failed to form, the child would not develop properly. However, this ignored two possibilities: that the observed parental behaviors could be responses to the child’s autism, and that autism might stem from inherited personality traits present in a milder form in the parents.
During this period, some children were even removed from their homes and placed in foster care in misguided attempts to facilitate "recovery." It wasn't until the 1960s that the medical community began to gain a clearer understanding of autism, identifying symptoms and exploring treatments.
Unfortunately, the 1960s and 1970s saw the use of experimental and often harmful treatments, including LSD, electric shock, and punitive methods aimed at altering behavior. Only in the 1980s and 1990s did more humane approaches, such as non-violent behavior therapy and structured learning environments, become mainstream.
Today, behavior therapy is the cornerstone of autism treatment, supplemented by additional therapies tailored to individual needs and the severity of the condition. We have certainly progressed, but it’s crucial to remember the lessons from our past to continue improving autism care.
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