When people talk about autism today, it’s often framed as something new — something that suddenly appeared in the last few decades. But the truth is very different.

Autism has existed for centuries. What has changed is not the presence of autism, but our understanding of it.

Understanding the history of autism helps explain why so many myths still circulate today, and why families often find themselves having to educate others.

Autism Before It Had a Name

Long before autism was formally recognized by doctors, there were descriptions of children who showed many of the same traits we now associate with autism.

In medieval Europe, children who avoided eye contact, did not speak, or behaved differently were sometimes believed to be “changelings” — a folklore belief that fairies had replaced a human child with one of their own. These myths reflected how little people understood developmental differences at the time.

One of the earliest documented cases that resembles autism is Victor of Aveyron, a boy discovered living in the woods in France in 1799. Victor had no language, avoided social interaction, and showed strong sensory preferences. Today, many researchers believe he may have been autistic.

Throughout the 1800s, physicians began describing children who were socially withdrawn, intensely focused on specific interests, or struggled with communication. However, these children were usually labeled with vague terms like “developmental arrest” or “childhood insanity” because autism had not yet been identified as its own condition.

The First Medical Descriptions

Autism was formally described for the first time in the 1940s.

In 1943, child psychiatrist Leo Kanner published a paper describing eleven children who showed profound differences in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. He referred to their condition as “early infantile autism.”

Just one year later, Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger described a group of children who had strong language and intelligence but struggled with social interaction and had very focused interests. This work would later lead to the diagnosis known as Asperger’s syndrome.

A Harmful Theory: The “Refrigerator Mother”

Unfortunately, early autism research also produced one of the most harmful myths.

For many years, psychologists believed autism was caused by emotionally distant parents — particularly mothers. This theory, known as the “refrigerator mother” hypothesis, suggested that children developed autism because their mothers were cold or unloving.

We now know this was completely false. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not the result of parenting style. But for decades, families carried the burden of this damaging blame.

Autism Enters the Diagnostic Manual

Autism did not officially appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) until 1980.

At that time it was called Infantile Autism. In the 1990s, the diagnosis expanded into several subtypes, including:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS)
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• Rett Syndrome

In 2013, these categories were merged into a single diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The term “spectrum” reflects the wide range of abilities, challenges, and support needs among autistic individuals.

How Autistic Children Were Treated in the Past

Another important part of autism history is how autistic children were treated.

For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, children with developmental differences were often placed in institutions or state hospitals. Many families were told their child would be better off separated from them.

These institutions were frequently overcrowded and underfunded, and in many cases children did not receive the care or education they needed.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that laws in the United States guaranteed children with disabilities the right to public education. This shift marked the beginning of greater inclusion and support for autistic individuals and their families.

What We Know Today

Modern research shows that autism is primarily linked to genetics and early brain development. Scientists have identified hundreds of genes associated with autism, and studies of twins show a strong hereditary component.

Autism is not caused by parenting, vaccines, or diet — myths that still circulate despite decades of research disproving them.

Today, the conversation around autism continues to evolve. Many advocates emphasize understanding, acceptance, and support rather than focusing only on deficits.

Why Understanding the History Matters

For many families, autism is not just a diagnosis — it is part of everyday life.

Understanding where our knowledge of autism came from helps explain why misconceptions still exist and why education is so important.

The more we learn about autism, the better we can support autistic individuals and the families who love them.

And perhaps most importantly, history reminds us that autistic people have always been part of our world — even when we didn’t yet have the language to understand them.