Last Day 15, the first person to be diagnosed with autism (ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder) died at the age of 89. This is American Donald Triplett, diagnosed in 1938. It is no exaggeration to say that what happened changed history forever by opening doors for scholarly study in the field.
The American was identified as “Donald T.” in the article “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact” by Leo Kanner (Johns Hopkins Hospital). His case was also detailed in the Pulitzer Prize finalist book In a Different Key: The Story of Autism, which spawned a documentary that aired on PBS in 2022.
Triplett began working at Bank of Forest in his native Mississippi in 1958. The company issued a statement in his honor on the day of his death:
Donald Gray Triplett joined Bank of Forest in July 1958. Every member of staff who has walked through our doors since then has fond stories and memories of them that we will cherish as we gaze enviously at his travel photos and allow us to be photographed by him as a new employee, a collection of trinkets and postcards given as gifts over the years, a nickname or number given to him when he first met him, or even the fact that he was wearing a rubber band was shot. Don has been a fixture at the bank for almost 65 years and will continue to be a fixture in our hearts for years to come.
It was an honor to watch her story unfold over the years. It was amazing to see him appear in the book “In A Different Key” and then in the documentary of the same name. We are truly blessed to be a small part of his story as the first child with autism.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Don’s family and many friends. We ask that you keep our banking family in your prayers.
In the study that brought his condition to light, Triplett was one of 11 children examined. He became known as “Case 1”.
Several studies are currently focused on elucidating autism, specifically how the disorder affects the brain. The most recent study published in Advanced Science has suggested that levels of nitric oxide in the brain may play a key role in autism.
Previous research has also shown that autism changes the white matter of the brain over time.
main signs of autism
Experts show that early diagnosis is essential for a person with autism to receive appropriate treatment and develop a productive and inclusive life. The main symptoms of the disorder in question are little eye contact, no interaction with other people, and not responding when called by their name.
In addition, difficulties in paying attention together, speech delay, lack of use of nonverbal communication, unusual sensory behavior (annoyance from loud noises or other people’s touch), sole play with toy parts (e.g., a wheel on a cart or a button). Unusual movements such as shaking hands, rocking, running, jumping, or turning for no apparent reason are also signs of autism.
How to improve the quality of life of people with autism
Earlier we pointed out ways to improve the quality of life for people with autism: one of the initiatives is to train the staff of a given facility on how to deal with clients with this disorder.
Another issue that could improve the quality of life of people with autism is employability. According to the Autism Speaks portal, 85% of the autistic population is unemployed. Nevertheless, it is important to innovate people with ASD and train them for the labor market.
Source: The New York Times, CNN, Department of Health