Allegorical Investigations: Autism, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Medieval Poetry.

This essay explores the connections between the modern autism intervention Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and medieval personification allegory to show how literature powerfully enables the work of neurodiversity. Invoking the theory of the language game to investigate the clinical history of ABA, the essay puts the fourteenth-century poet William Langland in dialogue with Ludwig Wittgenstein and Stanley Cavell. I argue that the approach to language emerging from this constellation of voices works as a precise tool for diagnosing the ethical liabilities of ABA. By highlighting the shared interest in a set of animated terms across different historical and disciplinary domains, we can see how allegorical writing becomes an essential resource for exposing how ABA travesties human need and emotion. Working against the ethos of this "therapeutic" intervention, Langland, Wittgenstein, and Cavell join with autistic writers in advancing a model of language development based on mutuality, reciprocity, and shared forms of life.

Incertitude diagnostique et action politique : une association de parents face aux politiques de l'autisme, 1982-2017.

The definition of diagnostic categories, such as autism, is not always consensual. It can be the cause of political struggles between various actors, including professionals, public administrations or patient associations. However, little is known about the situation of patient or parent associations in these "diagnostic politics." We assert here that these associations are more sensitive to the politics of definition than is suggested by the current historiography. Through an analysis of discourses and strategies of the Quebec Autism Society from 1982 to 2017, we document the role that this association intended to play in the politics of autism and we show how the adoption by the state of diagnostic-based policies intensify definitional debates in civil society, including among parents.

La définition de catégories diagnostiques comme l'autisme ne fait pas toujours l'unanimité. Elle peut faire l'objet de luttes politiques entre divers acteurs, notamment les professionnel.le.s, les administrations publiques ou les associations de patients. On en sait toutefois peu sur la situation des associations de patients ou de parents dans ces « politiques du diagnostic ¼. Nous affirmons ici que ces associations sont plus sensibles aux politiques de la définition que l'historiographie actuelle ne le laisse paraître. En analysant le discours et les stratégies de la Société québécoise de l'autisme de 1982 à 2017, nous illustrons le rôle que cette association entendait jouer dans les politiques de l'autisme et nous démontrons que l'adoption par l'État de politiques axées sur le diagnostic a eu pour effet d'intensifier les débats définitionnels chez divers acteurs, y compris les parents.

The nature of love: Harlow, Bowlby and Bettelheim on affectionless mothers.

Harry Harlow, famous for his experiments with rhesus monkeys and cloth and wire mothers, was visited by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby and by child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim in 1958. They made similar observations of Harlow's monkeys, yet their interpretations were strikingly different. Bettelheim saw Harlow's wire mother as a perfect example of the 'refrigerator mother', causing autism in her child, while Bowlby saw Harlow's results as an explanation of how socio-emotional development was dependent on responsiveness of the mother to the child's biological needs. Bettelheim's solution was to remove the mother, while Bowlby specifically wanted to involve her in treatment. Harlow was very critical of Bettelheim, but evaluated Bowlby's work positively.

Diagnóstico de autismo no século XXI: evolução dos domínios nas categorizações nosológicas / Autism diagnosis in the 21st century: evolution of subdomains in nosological categorizations / Diagnostic de lautisme au 21e siècle: évolution des domaines dans les catégorisations nosologiques / Diagnóstico del autismo en el siglo XXI: evolución de dominios en categorizaciones nosológicas

Resumo Os critérios que subsidiaram o diagnóstico do autismo passaram por diversas mudanças ao longo dos anos, acompanhando os pressupostos conceituais hegemônicos no período. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a evolução do diagnóstico do autismo no século XXI, a partir dos domínios e subdomínios em que se baseiam as categorizações nosológicas. Adicionalmente, são sinalizados instrumentos auxiliares utilizados e algumas tecnologias diagnósticas em desenvolvimento, além de modelos conceituais que tratam do perfil neuropsicológico. Trata-se de pesquisa documental, tendo como referência os manuais diagnósticos existentes no período. Os domínios de interação social, comunicação e padrão restrito e repetitivo de comportamento foram mantidos nos diferentes manuais diagnósticos abordados. Os subdomínios de interação social e comunicação foram reduzidos, enquanto o padrão restrito e repetitivo teve consolidação no DSM-5. Compreender a evolução dos critérios diagnósticos tende a promover o desenvolvimento da clínica, potencializando a antecipação do diagnóstico e as intervenções necessárias para um melhor prognóstico.

Abstract The criteria that subsidized the diagnosis of autism have undergone several changes over the years, following the hegemonic conceptual assumptions of the period. This study analyzed the evolution of the diagnosis of autism during the 21st century with use of the domains and subdomains that served as basis for nosological categorizations. Additionally, the auxiliary instruments used, some diagnostic technologies under development, and conceptual models that address neuropsychological profiles are presented. This documentary research utilized diagnostic manuals of the period. The domains of social interaction, communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior patterns were maintained in the different diagnostic manuals addressed. The subdomains of social interaction and communication were reduced, while restricted and repetitive pattern was consolidated in DSM-5. Understanding the evolution of diagnostic criteria tends to promote clinical development, potentiating the anticipation of the diagnosis and the interventions necessary for a better prognosis.

Résumé Les critères qui subsidient le diagnostic de l'autisme ont subi plusieurs changements, suivant les hypothèses conceptuelles hégémoniques de la période. Cette étude vise à analyser l'évolution du diagnostic de l'autisme au 21e siècle, à partir des domaines et sous-domaines sur lesquelles reposent les catégorisations nosologiques. En outre, les instruments auxiliaires utilisés et certaines technologies de diagnostic en cours de développement sont signalés, en plus des modèles conceptuels sur le profil neuropsychologique. Il s'agit d'une recherche documentaire, basée sur les manuels de diagnostic existant à l'époque. Les domaines de l'interaction sociale, de la communication et des comportements restreints et répétitifs ont été maintenus dans les manuels de diagnostic abordés. Les sous-domaines de l''interaction sociale et de la communication ont été réduits, tandis que le norme restreint et répétitif a été consolidé dans le DSM-5. Comprendre l'évolution des critères diagnostiques tend à favoriser le développement clinique, l'anticipation du diagnostic, et les interventions nécessaires à un meilleur pronostic.

Resumen Los criterios que ayudaron el diagnóstico de autismo han sufrido varios cambios, siguiendo los supuestos conceptuales hegemónicos en el período. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la evolución del diagnóstico de autismo en el siglo XXI, en función de los dominios y subdominios que se basan las categorizaciones nosológicas. Además, se señalan los instrumentos auxiliares utilizados, algunas tecnologías de diagnóstico en desarrollo y modelos conceptuales que abordan el perfil neuropsicológico. Esta es una investigación documental, basada en los manuales de diagnóstico existentes en el período. Los dominios de interacción social, comunicación y patrones de conducta restringidos y repetitivos se mantuvieron en los manuales de diagnóstico abordados. Los subdominios de interacción social y comunicación se redujeron, mientras que el patrón restringido y repetitivo se consolidó en el DSM-5. Comprender la evolución de los criterios de diagnóstico tiende a promover el desarrollo clínico, fomentando la anticipación diagnóstica e intervenciones necesarias para un mejor pronóstico.

Ethopathology and Civilization Diseases: Niko and Elisabeth Tinbergen on Autism.

The idea that some diseases result from a poor fit between modern life and our biological make-up is part of the long history of what historian of medicine Charles Rosenberg has called the "progress-and-pathology narrative." This article examines a key episode in that history: 1973 Nobel laureate Niko Tinbergen's use of an evolutionary framework to identify autism as a pathogenic effect of progress. Influenced by British psychiatrist John Bowlby's work, Tinbergen and his wife Elisabeth saw autistic children as victims of environmental stress caused mainly by mothers' failure to bond with their children and to protect them from conflicting situations. However, the author argues that their position was not "environmental." For them, autism was due to a failure of socialization but the mechanisms that explain that failure were established by biological evolution. Situating their views within the context of Niko's concern about the derailment of biological evolution by cultural evolution, this article shows that their ideas are of special significance for understanding the persistence of the view that civilization poses a risk to human health.

Rethinking the origins of autism: Ida Frye and the unraveling of children's inner world in the Netherlands in the late 1930s.

Historiographies on the phenomenon of "autism" display Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger as the great pioneers. The recent controversy on who was first in "discovering" autism urges research into the question of how scientific discoveries relate to processes of academic reflection and social intervention. The Netherlands provide an interesting case in pioneering work in autism, since Dutch experts described autism in children already in the late 1930s, preceding the first publications on autism in children by Kanner and Asperger. This paper examines the Dutch origins of autism by focusing on Ida Frye's contribution to the teamwork at the Paedological Institute in Nijmegen, which resulted in descriptions of children with autism. The theoretical aim of this paper is to underline the importance of the productive interplay between social interventions and scientific efforts concerning the complex inner world of special children.

Kafka and Autism : The Undisclosed Logic Behind Kafka's Work.

In this paper the hypothesis is presented that Franz Kafka was a person with autism. This is done by analyzing and discussing his biography, letters, diaries and major works. Kafka's autism is an integral diagnosis which encompasses both his personal life and his work. This interpretation is contrary to other interpretations from the past which in all cases were only partially applicable to explain Kafka's life and work. In Kafka research the big secret of Kafka was how he was able to write he did, like no one before him had done. The function and use of parables are also discussed to support this autism hypothesis concerning Franz Kafka which ultimately makes his life and work more understandable and accessible.

[Deconstructing Kanner]. / Deconstruyendo a Kanner.

Kanner, in 1943, and Asperger, in 1944, published papers that have been considered the first descriptions of autism. Kanner is acknowledged as having been the first to recognise this condition, while Asperger is attributed with the identification of a milder form of autism which has been denominated Asperger's syndrome. Kanner's paper played an important role in the development of the conceptualisation of autism due to its being published in the United States, where it became popular in the field of child psychiatry. In contrast, Asperger's work, written in German during the period dominated by Nazism, was practically ignored until almost four decades later. A review of the historical data, mostly collected by Silberman, reveals that Kanner had first-hand knowledge of the work on autism that Asperger had begun ten years earlier. Moreover, on re-reading and analysing the pioneering publications it becomes clear that the contributions made by Asperger are still fully valid today, to the point of having intuited a complex polygenic aetiology and that it would fit in perfectly with autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5.

TITLE: Deconstruyendo a Kanner.Kanner, en 1943, y Asperger, en 1944, publicaron sendos articulos que se han considerado las primeras descripciones del autismo. A Kanner se le atribuye el merito de haber sido el primero en reconocer dicha entidad y a Asperger se le asigna la identificacion de una forma de autismo, mas leve, que se ha denominado sindrome de Asperger. La publicacion de Kanner tuvo una relevancia importante en el desarrollo de la conceptualizacion del autismo por el hecho de haberse editado en Estados Unidos, donde alcanzo una gran difusion en el campo de la psiquiatria infantil. Por el contrario, el trabajo de Asperger, escrito en aleman durante la epoca del nazismo, fue practicamente ignorado hasta pasadas casi cuatro decadas. La recopilacion de datos historicos, en gran parte recogidos por Silberman, revela que Kanner conocia de primera mano el trabajo sobre el autismo que Asperger habia iniciado diez años antes. Por otro lado, una relectura y analisis de las publicaciones pioneras pone en evidencia que las aportaciones de Asperger son plenamente vigentes, hasta el punto de haber intuido una etiologia poligenica compleja y de encajar plenamente con el trastorno del espectro autista del DSM-5.

Autistic phenomena in The Adventures of Pinocchio.

This paper seeks to demonstrate that the protagonist of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio illustrates numerous autistic phenomena such as communication difficulties, sensory and perceptual distortions and mindblindness. While Pinocchio is viewed as a literary construct with contraindications of autism, it will be argued that his autistic traits are sufficient to suggest the possibility that Collodi had a partial intuition of the syndrome 60 years before it was identified by Leo Kanner. Approaching Collodi's text in this manner is taken as an opportunity to survey and reflect upon the psychoanalytic literature on autism and to position it in relation to contemporary theories from cognitive neuroscience.

History and First Descriptions of Autism: Asperger Versus Kanner Revisited.

When reading Michael Fitzgerald's chapter entitled 'Autism: Asperger's Syndrome-History and First Descriptions' in 'Asperger's Disorder' edited by Rausch, Johnson and Casanova, a while ago, one of us was struck by his contention that Kanner was guilty of plagiarism as well as non-attribution of Asperger's 1938 paper 'Das psychisch abnorme kind' (Fitzgerald in Asperger's disorder. Informa Healthcare, New York, 2008) published in a Vienna weekly. Steve Silberman has discovered evidence that Kanner rescued Asperger's chief diagnostician from the Nazis in 1944 so must have been aware of Asperger's work and conclusions. Fitzgerald was on the right track but it appears that Kanner may have plagiarised Asperger's ideas rather than his 1938 paper.

Leo Kanner's Mention of 1938 in His Report on Autism Refers to His First Patient.

Leo Kanner begins his landmark 1943 case series on autistic children by stating the condition was first brought to his attention in 1938. Recent letters to JADD have described this reference as "mysterious" and speculated it refers to papers published that year by Despert or Asperger. In fact, as Kanner goes on to state, 1938 is when he examined the first child in his case series. An exchange of letters with Despert and later writing by Kanner also point to the originality of his observations.

[Is psychiatry relevant in autism? A brief historical perspective on the role of psychiatry in diagnosis, and support to autistic people]. / Considérations sur la place de la psychiatrie en autisme, à partir de l'histoire récente des rôles professionnels vis-à-vis de l'autisme au Québec.

Based on an overview of the recent history of professional roles in autism diagnosis and support in the province of Quebec, this paper supports the view that hearing what autistic people say, combined with interdisciplinary, but hierarchically ruled task sharing in clinical settings, and to a pacific confrontation between scientific and clinical demands, prevents the high jacking of autism for corporatist or ideological purposes.

Adjudicating non-knowledge in the Omnibus Autism Proceedings.

After 5600 families of children diagnosed with autism filed claims with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in the United States, the court selected 'test' cases consolidated into the Omnibus Autism Proceedings, held from 2007 to 2008, to examine claims that vaccines caused the development of autism. The court found all of the causation theories presented to be untenable and did not award damages to any parents. We analyze the Omnibus Autism Proceedings as a struggle within the scientific field between the scientific orthodoxy of the respondents and the heterodox position taken by the plaintiffs, suggesting that the ruling in these cases helped to shore up hegemony on autism causation. Drawing on the literature on non-knowledge, we suggest that only the respondents had enough scientific capital to strategically direct non-knowledge toward genetic research, thereby foreclosing the possibility of environmental causation of autism. The plaintiffs, who promote a non-standard ontology of autism, suggest that the science on autism remains undone and should not be circumscribed. In analyzing the Omnibus Autism Proceedings with field theory, we highlight the way in which scientific consensus-building and the setting of research agendas are the result of struggle, and we show that the strategic deployment of non-knowledge becomes a major stake in battles for scientific legitimacy and the settling of scientific controversies.