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Infantile Autism

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Bernard Rimland's groundbreaking book (published in 1964) debunked the shameful theory that autism was caused by "refrigerator mothers", a theory propounded by the since discredited Bruno Bettelheim and widely adopted up to that time by mainstream psychology. Dr. Rimland was the first to make the case that autism was linked to physiological factors including genetics, a theory later adopted by by mainstream medical researchers. This book is a landmark in the history of the disorder known as autism.

Of interest is the statement contained in the introduction to Dr. Rimland's book by Dr. Leo Kanner, the psychiatrist who 60 years ago first described the disorder and coined the term "autism". Dr. Kanner derides the label "autism" as a "pseudo-diagnostic wastebasket" for disorders that are not understood.

The disorder called "autism" is still not understood. Dr. Rimland, more than others, has progressed beyond his own work in the 40 years since he wrote his book by pioneering the view that autism is a physiologically based disease that is partially influenced by genetic susceptibily, but not caused by genetics. He has suggested that "autism" is triggered by environmental factors, including a possible role for vaccines and the consitituents of vaccines. Most importantly his work has led to the development of biomedical treatment for affected children.

Everyone who wants to understand the development of our understanding of the disorder called "autism" should read this book.