Autism comes from the the Greek word autos, meaning self. Despite its root in ancient languages, autism seems to be a fairly new diagnosis.

However, as far back as the 18th century, medical reports describe the behaviours of autism. It wasn't until 1911 that Eugen Bleuler coined the term "autism" in relation to his schizophrenic patients. These patients, he observed, were incredibly self-absorbed and isolated.

Dr. Leo Kanner and Dr. Hans Asperger both began their studies of autistic children in the early 1940s; separate from each other. Kanner did his research in America while Asperger worked in Austria.

Both of these doctors used the wordautism to describe their patients, separate from the schizophrenia diagnosis they previously would have been given. Kanner used the phrase early infantile autism which today has been shortened to just autism. His explanation of the symptoms these children shared are now used as signs of classic autism.

Asperger's patients tended to have higher IQs, and language skills on an adult level. In all other ways, they resembled the patients Kanner was visiting in the United States.

It wasn't until 1980 when Dr. Lorna Wing, in the United Kingdom, coined the phrase "Asperger's Syndrome" that there was any differentiation between the two syndromes.