2. Definition Lifelong developmental disorder characterized by severe abnormalities in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and behaviours. GTN 3092

3. Epidemiology Before 1980s rare disability: rate of occurrence estimated = 2 to 5 in 10,000 children Now Prevalence: estimated affecting about 1 in 150 children. GTN 3093

4. The History First described in 1943 by Leo Kanner, in “Autistic disturbance of affective contact” In his 1949 paper, he attributed autism to “genuine lack of maternal warmth”  “Refrigerator Mother” theory of autism was born Refrigerator Mother theory (1950s & 60s) – label for mothers of children diagnosed with autism (1950s & 60s) – “parents of autistic children were often relatively cold to them and with-held love from their infants, thereby causing a withdrawal of the infant into autism” GTN 3094

5. Recent Understanding Autism is a complex, multifactorial disorder GTN 3095

6. Recent Understanding external/environmental factors external/environmental factors, e.g. immunologic abnormalities infectious agents stressors external/environmental factors factors, e.g. immunologic abnormalities infectious agents stressors GTN 3096

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