Special report: The new history of autism
Featured articles
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.
![Black and white photograph of Grunya Sukhareva in a delicate collage of squares and circles on a cream colored background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Spectrum_NewCollage_Article_2-844.jpg)
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.
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.
![Black and white portrait of Hans Asperger against an abstract background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kanner-844.jpg)
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.
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.
![Black and white photograph of Leo Kanner in a delicate collage of squares and circles on a cream colored background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LeoKanner-Final-v2-autism-844.jpg)
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.
From the archives: Rare photos of Grunya Sukhareva
Recently uncovered images show the famous Soviet child psychologist in the clinic and training colleagues.
![Sepia toned photo of Grunya Sukhareva in 1928](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Grunya-Sukhareva-1928-autism-pioneer-844-1.jpg)
From the archives: Rare photos of Grunya Sukhareva
Recently uncovered images show the famous Soviet child psychologist in the clinic and training colleagues.
Writing a ‘new history of autism’
Spectrum talks with David Dobbs about researching his latest article, and what he found.
![Triangle that looks like a play button in a delicate collage of squares and circles on a cream colored background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Spectrum_NewCollage_Dobbs-interview-844-1.jpg)
Writing a ‘new history of autism’
Spectrum talks with David Dobbs about researching his latest article, and what he found.
From the archives
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?
![A collage shows a black and white portrait of Russian doGrunya Efimovna Sukhareva on a colored background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20181107-Sukhareva-844.jpg)
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?
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.
![Vienna children's hospital, children in sun hats with attendants outdoors on chaise lounges and chairs.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018Asperger844.jpg)
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.
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.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/virardi844.jpg)
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.
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.”
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/news/50707.jpg)
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.”
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.