It is believed that one of the first documented references to a case of autism was made by Jean Itard (1774-1838), a French physician working at the French National Institute of the Deaf.
In 1800 a boy of approximately 12-years-old who had spent the majority of his childhood in the woods was brought to the Institute. The boy was named Victor of Aveyron and although he could hear he made no direct communication and was very self-absorbed. Recently, autism expert Uta Frith, declared she believes Victor displayed signs of autism.
Victor of Aveyron was, probably, the first documented case of Autism in history
The history has been dramatized in the movie The Wild Child
The history of Victor of Aveyron dramatized in the movie “The Wild Child”
Andreia on Autism 