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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

08:42
A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
[Autism and autistic disorders. Historical and current aspects]
E Kumbier1, G Domes, B Herpertz-Dahlmann
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Zentrum für Nervenheilkunde der Universität Rostock, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147 Rostock. ekkehardt.kumbier@medizin.uni-rostock.de
Der Nervenarzt
|July 15, 2009
Summary
Autism
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
Context:
- The term 'autism' has evolved significantly since its inception in medical literature.
- Initially, autism was considered a symptom of schizophrenia in both adult and child psychiatry.
- The conceptualization of autism shifted independently in child psychiatry, influenced by Kanner and Asperger.
Purpose:
- To trace the historical evolution of the term and concept of autism.
- To understand the transition of autism from a symptom to a distinct developmental disorder.
- To explore the contributions of Kanner and Asperger to the current understanding of autism.
Summary:
- Autism is now recognized as a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction.
- These deficits are linked to fundamental impairments in social cognition, a consistent feature since autism's initial description.
- The historical trajectory highlights the changing diagnostic landscape and research focus on autism.
Impact:
- Provides a historical framework for understanding autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Emphasizes the enduring nature of social-cognitive deficits in autism.
- Suggests avenues for deepening the understanding of autism through psychopathological research.
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