Hans Asperger

Hans Asperger (pronunciation: /ˈhɑːnz ˈæspɜːrɡər/) was an Austrian pediatrician, medical theorist, and medical professor. He is best known for his early studies on mental disorders, especially in children. His work was largely unnoticed during his lifetime and only gained widespread recognition in the years after his death. Asperger's most notable contribution was the identification of a form of autism that would later be named after him, known as Asperger syndrome.

Etymology

The term "Asperger syndrome" was coined by British psychiatrist Lorna Wing in a 1981 paper, as a tribute to Hans Asperger, who first described the condition in 1944. The term is derived from Hans Asperger's last name.

Early Life and Education

Hans Asperger was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1906. He completed his medical degree at the University of Vienna in 1931. He then began his career at the University Children's Clinic in Vienna, where he first began to study children with mental disorders.

Career

Asperger's career was dedicated to the study of child psychology and pediatrics. His most significant work was his study of a group of children who had difficulties with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and nonverbal communication. These children also often had a specific interest in a single topic. Asperger referred to these children as "little professors" and their condition as "autistic psychopathy".

Legacy

Asperger's work remained largely unknown until it was rediscovered in the 1980s. His studies on the condition that would later be named after him, Asperger syndrome, have had a significant impact on the fields of psychiatry and psychology. His work has helped to shape our understanding of autism and related conditions.

Related Terms

• Autism
• Asperger syndrome
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Hans Asperger
• Wikipedia's article - Hans Asperger

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