On the Concept of Autism

Schizophrenic Autism

“…His claim that the term 'autism' could be used only in conjunction with schizophrenia was, however, backed by subsequent authors [4,13,36], Bosch [36] feels that it is only a 'qualitative modification' of human worldliness that 'jus tifies the assumption of autistic behaviour'. Among other things, he expresses misgivings towards the use of the term 'autism' in the context of schizoidism.…”

“…In compliance with the schizophreniaoriented part of Bleuler's description of au tism, Dein [ 13] defines autism as 'a pervasive tendency to maintaining an abnormal dis tance to other people, to adopting a passive attitude and being emotionally indifferent'. Based on this, he comes to the conclusion 'that autism becomes a necessary but not suf 298 Giindcl/Rudolf Schizophrenic Autism: Historical Review ficient criterion for the diagnosis of schizo phrenia', thus 'unifying the schizophrenias into one group... a n d ... demarking them from other psychoses'.…”

“…'Sometimes one gets the impression that autism to Bleuler is not especially characteristic of schizophre nia, but in other passages ... he talks of autism as a fun damental trait in schizophrenia' [ 13].…”

Schizophrenic Autism

“…The reluctance shown by E. Bleuler to give the term an exact definition [ 19] subsequently confused the medical world as to the diagnos tic meaning and nosologic validity of autism (in the narrower sense) and indeed of the oth er so-called 'fundamental symptoms' referred to by Bleuler [11,20]. The distinction be tween the 'two groups' of autism in particular and thus the special status of schizophrenic autism fell more and more into oblivion.…”

“…Relationships between autism and schizophrenia E. Bleuler (1912) [8] autism is 'one of the most important symptoms of schizophrenia'. Kretschmer (1952) [9] autism as 'one of the most consistent core and axis symptoms...' of schizophrenia and schizoidism Binswanger (1956) [10] secs in autistic action 'what may justifiably be the decisive role in schizophrenic emotional life' Dein (1966) [11] '... autism becomes a necessary but not sufficient criterion for the diagnosis of schizophrenia' Blankenburg (1971) [12] autism as one 'of the most important key terms in psychopathology' M. Bleuler (1972) [13] 'schizotypism and autism' represent 'rather the primary symptoms of schizophrenia' Benedetti (1983) [14] sees autism as something 'funda mentally schizophrenic'; autism is 'schizophrenic defence by definition' Tolle (1991) [15] in the narrower sense a 'schizophrenic fundamental symptom' and thus a 'preferred diagnostic criterion' for schizophrenia For a detailed bibliography sec Giindel [16]. that schizophrenic autism could not 'be sepa rated on principle from the other forms' (of autistic thinking).…”