An interesting article about the earliest ever diagnosis of autism.

[magimedi]

Can I start by saying that I post this with some trepidation?

I read the SN boards & have learnt so much from all of you but I have no direct experience of SN.

But I read this & wanted to share it:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35350880

I did not know that autism had a diagnosis so long ago. I thought it was only in the 70's. - I found the article interesting for that reason more than any other.

I have havered over about posting a link to it as I feel I have so little experience & knowledge of the condition ( & I hope that 'condition' is the right word) that I am always worried that I am going to upset someone.

I really hope that I haven't over stepped any mark & that some of you may find this as fascinating as I did.

Neurotribes really is worth a read for all the history. A awful lot of it will make you The Tripletts really did go against the grain for the time.

One thing that comes through is that few of the trailblazers in autism diagnosis are unequivocal heroes, Kanner included.

What did surprised me, because I hadn't realised it, is the fact that Kanner and Asperger were contemporaries. Their paths never crossed directly and Kanner ended up in a much more high profile position, so the concept of a spectrum and that some people on that spectrum were extremely intelligent, often driven and seemingly articulate took many more decades to be recognised.

And condition is the perfect word :)

I read this article yesterday and thought it was lovely. Such a positive message and shows how fulfilling life can be.

I second the mention of the book, Neurotribes.

It set the whole history of autism in really interesting context but also had a really positive upbeat feeling to it.

I have ordered Neurotribes from the library & am looking forward to reading it.