Autism: An Introduction
A video series covering the foundations of autism - its history, diagnosis, and contemporary approaches to support - for students, professionals, families, and autistic individuals alike.
Autism: A Brief History
The story of autism as a diagnosis stretches back further than most people realize, from Grunya Sukhareva's pioneering clinical descriptions in the 1920s, through the landmark work of Kanner and Asperger, to the damaging detour of Bettelheim's discredited "refrigerator mother" theory. Shifting definitions in the DSM and decades of scientific debate gradually reshaped how autism is understood. Today, the neurodiversity movement is reclaiming that story, centering autistic voices and lived experience.
Autism: The Diagnostic Process
What does an autism diagnostic evaluation actually involve? This video covers the core components of the diagnostic process: the clinicians who conduct assessments, the standardized tools at the center of current practice (including the ADOS and ADI-R), and how DSM-5 criteria are applied in reaching a diagnosis.
Autism: Approaches to Support
What does effective support for autistic individuals look like today? This video surveys the landscape of contemporary approaches, from behavioral interventions to developmental and naturalistic models, family-centered support, and educational practices. It also addresses the growing role of neurodiversity-affirming frameworks and the unique considerations involved in supporting autistic adults through transition and beyond.