Historical Figures Sometimes Considered Autistic
A retrospective diagnosis is the practice of identifying an illness in a historical figure using modern knowledge, methods and disease classifications.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) were first identified by Hans Asperger and Leo Kanner in the 1940s, and it wasn't until many years later that they were formally recognised by the medical community. Journalists, academics and autism professionals have speculated that certain famous or notable historical people had autism or other autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome. Such speculation is controversial and little of it is undisputed. For example, several autism researchers speculate that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had autism or other conditions, while other researchers say there is not sufficient evidence to draw such conclusions.
Read more about Historical Figures Sometimes Considered Autistic: Validity of Retrospective Diagnoses, Specific Individuals
Famous quotes containing the words historical, figures and/or considered:
“Nature never rhymes her children, nor makes two men alike. When we see a great man, we fancy a resemblance to some historical person, and predict the sequel of his character and fortune, a result which he is sure to disappoint. None will ever solve the problem of his character according to our prejudice, but only in his high unprecedented way.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The human heart concerns us more than the poring into microscopes, and is larger than can be measured by the pompous figures of the astronomer.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“In our civilization, men are afraid that they will not be men enough and women are afraid that they may be considered only women.”
—Theodor Reik (1888–1969)