AUTOS — self.
Eugen Bleuler, Swiss in 1910
the notion of autism or being autistic is a very recent and modern one. Only around 100 years.
Essentially, Bleuler the doctor pathologies somebody with schizophrenia as being “autistic“, in which they were extremely self-absorbed and detached from reality.
therefore, the original notion of autism, was linked with schizophrenia, detachment from reality, and insanely self-absorbed or self contained?
The creation of the word “autistic” can be traced back to its roots in the Greek language and its introduction into medical terminology in the early 20th century.
- Greek Roots: The word “autistic” comes from the Greek word “autos,” which means “self.” This root word was chosen to convey the sense of self-focus or inward orientation that is often observed in individuals with autism.
- Medical Introduction: The term was first introduced into the medical lexicon by Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, in 1910. Bleuler was working on categorizing and understanding symptoms of schizophrenia and he used the term “autistic” to describe a particular symptom where patients appeared to be extremely self-absorbed and detached from reality. This usage was in line with the original Greek meaning, focusing on the idea of being self-contained or withdrawn within oneself.
- Shift in Understanding: Initially, autism was not recognized as a distinct condition separate from schizophrenia. It was only later in the 1940s that researchers like Leo Kanner in the United States and Hans Asperger in Austria began to describe behaviors in children that were distinct from those seen in schizophrenia. Kanner, in particular, used the term “early infantile autism” to describe the condition he observed, which included a strong preference for solitude, difficulties in social interactions, and a tendency towards repetitive behaviors.
- Modern Usage: Over time, as understanding of the condition evolved and it became recognized as distinct from schizophrenia, the term “autistic” began to be used more generally to refer to individuals with what is now known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The term reflects the characteristics initially observed, such as challenges in social interaction and communication, and a tendency towards repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.
Thus, the creation of the word “autistic” is a testament to the evolving nature of medical understanding and language, particularly how terms can shift in meaning as our knowledge and perceptions change over time.