Kanner syndrome, also known as autism, is a developmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction skills. The spelling of "Kanner" is represented by the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈkænər/, with a stressed "a" sound and a short "e" sound in the second syllable. The spelling of the word originates from the name of the psychiatrist Leo Kanner, who first identified autism as a distinct disorder in 1943. Despite recent changes to the diagnosis and classification of autism, the term "Kanner syndrome" remains in use by some professionals and families.
Kanner Syndrome, also known as classic autism or early infantile autism, is a developmental disorder characterized by a range of symptoms affecting social interaction, communication, and behavior. It is named after Austrian psychiatrist Leo Kanner who first described the condition in the 1940s. Kanner Syndrome is typically diagnosed in early childhood, usually before the age of three.
One of the key features of Kanner Syndrome is impaired social interaction. Individuals with this condition often struggle with making and maintaining eye contact, fail to develop and understand non-verbal cues, and have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with others. Communication difficulties are also common, with affected individuals often displaying delayed or absent speech, problems with expressive and receptive language, and a tendency towards repetitive or stereotyped speech patterns.
People with Kanner Syndrome often engage in repetitive or restricted behaviors, displaying a strong preference for routines and sameness. They frequently engage in repetitive movements, such as hand flapping or rocking, and may display intense interests in specific objects or topics. Additionally, individuals with this condition may be highly sensitive to sensory stimuli, experiencing either heightened or diminished sensitivity to various sensory inputs like sound, touch, or light.
Kanner Syndrome is classified as a spectrum disorder, meaning that it presents with a broad range of symptom severity and individual variation. Some individuals with Kanner Syndrome may have significant intellectual disabilities, while others may have average or even above-average intelligence. While there is no known cure for Kanner Syndrome, early intervention and targeted therapies can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life for individuals with the disorder.
The term "Kanner syndrome" was coined by Dr. Leo Kanner, an Austrian-American psychiatrist who first identified and described the condition in 1943. Dr. Kanner named it after himself as he was the first to extensively study and document the characteristics of this disorder. The term "syndrome" in this context refers to a set of symptoms that frequently occur together, while "Kanner" comes from Dr. Leo Kanner's surname. Since then, the condition has been widely known as "Autism Spectrum Disorder" (ASD), which is the currently accepted terminology.