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Sukhareva--Prior to Asperger and Kanner
Irina Manouilenko1, Susanne Bejerot
1Irina Manouilenko, Järva Psychiatric Services, Praktikertjänst AB , Stockholm , Sweden.
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
|April 1, 2015
Summary
Pioneering psychiatrist Grunya Sukhareva described autistic traits in 1926, predating Asperger and Kanner. Her early work on autistic psychopathy remains overlooked despite its relevance to modern diagnostic criteria.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Grunya Sukhareva, a Kiev-based child psychiatrist, published detailed descriptions of autistic traits in 1926.
- She initially termed these traits "schizoid (eccentric) psychopathy" and later "autistic (pathological avoidant) psychopathy".
Discussion:
- Sukhareva's work predates the widely recognized reports by Asperger and Kanner by nearly two decades.
- Her contributions to understanding autism have been historically overlooked in scientific literature.
Key Insights:
- This article re-examines Sukhareva's 1926 description of autistic psychopathy.
- The findings are analyzed in the context of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria for autism spectrum disorder.
Outlook:
- Highlighting Sukhareva's early work can enrich the historical understanding of autism research.
- Further investigation into Sukhareva's contributions may offer new perspectives on the evolution of autism diagnosis and treatment.