autism

Autistic boy looking at school through a fence

Vintage family & old-fashioned parenting

What did people think of autism in the 1960s? Here’s a look back at some of the attempts to understand

“Wooden doll” illness noted at university (1960) The Valley News (Van Nuys, California) October 7, 1960 A recently recognized type of emotional illness characterized by

Sister and brother playing with dollhouse

1970s

Autism in the 1970s: Easy to define, hard to pinpoint, much controversy, few solutions

True autism is defined by specific characteristics — characteristics guaranteed to have any mother, babysitter, and even many doctors climbing the wall.