Parental initiatives to help their childrenĪccordingly, John has documented many treatments of children deemed insane by the medical community. This is certainly stunning, considering the historical records of LSD treatments. Treatments for autism in the 1960s included LSD.

For example, the notion that mothers were responsible for their children’s condition flourished. However, harsh developments and painful lessons from the medical community are deeply disturbing. This theory is also known for some reason as Refrigerator mother theory due to the term established in the mid 1950s as a label for mothers (or fathers) of children diagnosed with autism or schizophrenia This contradicted the tale of Bettelheim’s theory of autism, in which the lack of a mother’s warmth to her child was the source of autism. Leo Kanner who published a landmark paper Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact in 1943 established Donald’s diagnosis. John and Caren introduce Donald Triplett, the first child to be documented with autism.

However, D-Day landings insured the report would be given little attention across Europe and in America. However, a significant European study was delivered on June 4th 1944. Historically the examination of treatments for children labeled insane span the early 1900s. Instead, their approaches treating children for “autism” began in the 1930s. Much of the discovery will surprise the reader. There is certainly a wealth of insights for any reader. In fact, they are indeed providing the historical context to understanding medical and social developments in treating children. John and Caren are providing a foundational history of Autism. In fact, this can be used as a 101 textbook for society. Likewise, this book should be mandatory reading, not just parents of an autistic child. The subject is certainly a challenging topic for many.

John donvan in a different key