In what year was infantile autism formally recognized as a distinct condition?

• A. 1970
• B. 1980
• C. 1990
• D. 2000

Answer: (B)

Infantile autism was formally recognized as a distinct condition in 1980. This recognition was significant because it marked the first time that autism was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), specifically in the DSM-III edition. This inclusion provided a diagnostic framework that helped clinicians identify autism and differentiate it from other developmental disorders. The classification established criteria for diagnosing autism, which helped advance the understanding of the disorder and improved access to support and resources for individuals diagnosed with autism and their families.

The years mentioned in the other options are notable in the context of autism but do not reflect when infantile autism was first recognized as a separate condition in diagnostic manuals. For example, prior to 1980, autism was often grouped with other developmental disorders, lacking a distinct classification that would later facilitate more focused research and treatment strategies.