title: Historical perspectives on autism: its past record of discovery and its present state of solipsism, skepticism, and sorrowful suspicion.
abstract: Concepts of autism have evolved over the twentieth century after Bleuler coined the term to refer to symptoms of self-absorption in those with schizophrenia. Autism nosology changed to the current sesquipedalian constellation of autism spectrum disorders with a confusing archipelago of 5 conditions that often serve as islands of confusion to both the general public and professionals. This article reviews historical links that have led to the current confusing and controversial situation that is encouraging some people to return to magic, mysticism, and mantics for health care, despite the amazing accumulation of progress in vaccinology over the past 2 centuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics & Human Development, Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 1000 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009-1284, USA. Greydanus@kcms.msu.edu
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Greydanus
authors.forename: Luis H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Toledo-Pereyra
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects