ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of autism

Well hello there little one! Today, we are going to learn about the history of autism. Autism is a condition where a person thinks and feels differently from others. It affects the way they communicate, learn and play with others.

People have always been different from each other, but the term "autism" was first used in 1911 by a doctor named Eugen Bleuler. He used it to describe people who had trouble communicating and staying connected with others.

In the 1930s, doctors began to use the term "autistic" to describe children who had trouble understanding what others said to them and often repeated the same behaviors over and over again. This was the first time that people started to realize that these children had a condition that needed special care.

In the 1940s and 1950s, doctors started to study autism more closely. They realized that it was a developmental disorder that often showed up in early childhood. However, they still didn't know much about what caused it or how to treat it.

It wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that people began to really understand autism and how to help those who had it. Doctors discovered that some children with autism could benefit from special education and therapy. They also started to learn about different types of autism, like Asperger's Syndrome, which affects how a person communicates and behaves.

Today, we know a lot more about autism and how to support people who have it. We have more therapies and treatments available, and we are learning more about what causes autism. Scientists are still working to learn even more about autism so we can continue to help people with this condition live happy and fulfilling lives.