[Autism. Discussion: from the standpoint of pediatrics].

Since Leo Kanner reported 11 cases of "early infantile autism" in 1943, various kinds of studies and researches have been made. At present, we generally understand the "autism" is a behavioral syndrome of multiple etiologies. I would like to stress that we pediatricians, meeting the patients first, must play the roles of the specialists in diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis, and of the advisers in guiding mothers, teachers and the others. The purpose of medicine and education is to help the handicapped to draw as much satisfaction and enjoyment from life as possible.