History Of The Autism Diagnosis
By Lisa Shanken
December 6, 2025
From Disorder to Diversity: A Short History of Autism & Neurodivergence
Today, conversations about autism, ADHD, AuDHD, and “neurodivergence” are everywhere. But the rise isn’t in autistic people themselves — it’s in recognition. The people have always been here; what changed is our language, criteria, and willingness to diagnose.
How Autism Became a Diagnosis
1943 – Leo Kanner
Identifies “early infantile autism,” marking autism’s first clinical description.
1944 – Hans Asperger
Describes autistic traits in children with average or above-average intelligence; later becomes “Asperger’s disorder.”
1950s–1970s
Autism isn’t recognized in early DSM manuals. Many autistic children are mislabeled with childhood schizophrenia.
1980 – DSM-III
Autism becomes its own diagnosis (“Infantile Autism”), distinguishing it from schizophrenia.
1994 – DSM-IV
Adds Asperger’s Disorder and PDD-NOS, widening recognition of the spectrum.2013 – DSM-5
All categories merge into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with specifiers for support needs.
Autism by the Numbers (U.S. CDC Data)
Prevalence among 8-year-olds over time:
- ~2000: 1 in 150
- 2008: 1 in 88
- 2018: 1 in 44
- 2020: 1 in 36
- 2022: 1 in 31
Source: CDC
Much of this “increase” reflects expanded criteria, better screening, and more equitable access — not a surge in autism itself.
Historically, girls, women, people of color, and low-income families were significantly under-diagnosed. Newer data show higher recorded prevalence in Asian, Black, and Hispanic children, indicating progress in reaching previously overlooked communities.
Sources: CDC
Where “Neurodiversity” Comes From
The term “neurodiversity” was coined in 1998 by sociologist Judy Singer, who argued that neurological differences like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia are natural variations of the human brain — not defects.
The neurodiversity movement reframes the goal from “fixing” people to understanding and supporting different ways of thinking.
This shift—from disorder to diversity—has helped millions understand their identity, access support, and find community.
Tri-Wellness Is Here To Support You.
If you or someone you know is looking for support in different ways of thinking, socializing, communicating, or day to day habits, sign up for a free consultation with Tri-Wellness and learn about the different programs and one on one coaching we offer.
Lisa Shanken
My passion is to help you live your healthiest and most harmonious life, but in a way that’s realistic and practical for you as a unique individual on this planet. My philosophy is all about “balance,” never a diet since a diet is not sustainable for life, aka Kill The Diet.
Mindfulness for Neurodivergent Individuals
By Lisa Shanken
January 9, 2026
When most people hear the word mindfulness, they imagine sitting still with eyes closed, breathing calmly while thoughts slowly drift away. While I, personally, have been practicing meditation for over a decade, even when I hear this “typical” description of it, I get intimidated and turned off. That traditional image...
History Of The Autism Diagnosis
By Lisa Shanken
December 6, 2025
From Disorder to Diversity: A Short History of Autism & Neurodivergence Today, conversations about autism, ADHD, AuDHD, and “neurodivergence” are everywhere. But the rise isn’t in autistic people themselves — it’s in recognition. The people have always been here; what changed is our language, criteria, and willingness to diagnose. How...
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Lisa’s weight loss plan really gave me a new insight to healthy eating and living. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2015. Healthy living/easting/exercise has become very important to me and my family and this program really helped me get even more on the course with this and helped me lose weight.
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Psychiatrist
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