Special report: The new history of autism

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Featured articles

Black and white photograph of Grunya Sukhareva in a delicate collage of squares and circles on a cream colored background.

The new history of autism, part I

For decades, two figures have dominated the history of autism studies. Today, newly excavated documents are calling into question the primacy of these men as founders of the field.

By David Dobbs
7 November 2022 | 17 min listen
Black and white portrait of Hans Asperger against an abstract background.

The new history of autism, part II

For decades, two figures have dominated the history of autism studies. Today, newly excavated documents are calling into question the primacy of these men as founders of the field.

By David Dobbs
9 November 2022 | 19 min listen
Black and white photograph of Leo Kanner in a delicate collage of squares and circles on a cream colored background.

The new history of autism, part III

For decades, two figures have dominated the history of autism studies. Today, newly excavated documents are calling into question the primacy of these men as founders of the field.

By David Dobbs
11 November 2022 | 5 min listen
Sepia toned photo of Grunya Sukhareva in 1928

From the archives: Rare photos of Grunya Sukhareva

Recently uncovered images show the famous Soviet child psychologist in the clinic and training colleagues.

By Rebecca Horne
7 November 2022 | 2 min read
Triangle that looks like a play button in a delicate collage of squares and circles on a cream colored background.

Writing a ‘new history of autism’

Spectrum talks with David Dobbs about researching his latest article, and what he found.

By Brady Huggett
8 November 2022 | 17 min listen

From the archives

A collage shows a black and white portrait of Russian doGrunya Efimovna Sukhareva on a colored background.

How history forgot the woman who defined autism

Grunya Sukhareva characterized autism nearly two decades before Austrian doctors Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger. So why did the latter get all the credit?

By Lina Zeldovich
7 November 2018 | 13 min read
Vienna children's hospital, children in sun hats with attendants outdoors on chaise lounges and chairs.

New evidence ties Hans Asperger to Nazi eugenics program

The Austrian doctor Hans Asperger cooperated extensively with the Nazi regime and may have sent dozens of children to their deaths.

By Hannah Furfaro
19 April 2018 | 7 min read

How the loss of Asperger syndrome has lasting repercussions

Some people who have lost the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome say they feel a loss of identity and worry about a loss of services.

By Sandra Jones
19 May 2020 | 6 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Leo Kanner’s 1943 paper on autism

Donald T. was not like other 5-year-old boys. Leo Kanner knew that the moment he read the 33-page letter from Donaldʼs father that described the boy in obsessive detail as “happiest when he was alone... drawing into a shell and living within himself... oblivious to everything around him.”

By Gerald D. Fischbach
7 December 2007 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Nikolay Kukushkin discusses his book, ‘One Hand Clapping: Unraveling the Mystery of the Human Mind’

He explains how meaning arises in the interactions found throughout nature and evolution, from molecules to minds.

By Paul Middlebrooks
8 October 2025 | 1 min read
Research image of neurons with variants of the KCNQ2 gene (bottom row) developing more synaptic protein groups (pink and blue) than control neurons (top row).

ADSI, leucovorin, autism registry; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 October.

By Jill Adams
7 October 2025 | 2 min read
A drosophila connectome.

One year of FlyWire: How the resource is redefining Drosophila research

We asked nine neuroscientists how they are using FlyWire data in their labs, how the connectome has transformed the field and what new tools they would like to see in the future.

By Francisco J. Rivera Rosario
7 October 2025 | 19 min listen

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