When I was a teenager, there was a young boy at our church who had been diagnosed with Kanner’s syndrome, a term once used to describe what many considered “classic” autism. While it’s no longer an official diagnosis, Kanner’s syndrome remains a helpful way to understand one end of the autism spectrum.
That little boy is now a grown man, and he was my first real introduction to autism. My understanding at the time was limited, but his behaviors and diagnosis gave me a foundation that would later shape how I advocate for my own two sons, both of whom are on the autism spectrum.
What is Kanner’s syndrome?
Today, many view Kanner’s syndrome as “Classic Autistic Disorder.” It’s named after Leo Kanner, a pioneer in autism research who first studied children with autism in the 1940s
Kanner’s syndrome includes a lack of communication skills, trouble understanding others, and sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Children with autism often prefer routine more than non-autistic children and usually don’t like interacting with the world around them.
While my younger son, Joey, does not have an official Kanner’s syndrome diagnosis, many of these symptoms describe where he falls on the autism spectrum. He is very sensitive to sound, even demonstrating a fear of public restrooms due to how the echoes affect him.
He often plays alone rather than with or alongside others. However, he has shown a hyposensitivity to other sensory cues, especially light, taste, and touch.
In modern diagnostic criteria, the term “Kanner’s Syndrome” has been replaced by “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD) to encompass a broader range of symptoms and presentations.
Kanner’s syndrome symptoms
Research suggests seven known symptoms of Kanner’s syndrome exist, including:
- Social interaction
- Communication skills
- Apathy towards activity
- Withdrawal
- Obsession
- Routine
- Behavioral issues
One of the main Kanner’s syndrome symptoms are social challenges. Children often avoid social interaction, struggle to make friends, and miss nonverbal cues like eye contact and body language.
It’s not just nonverbal communication skills that children with Kanner’s syndrome may lack. Many may develop speech issues. My son Joey is nonverbal. He doesn’t speak at all, although he does make sounds and has found a way to communicate with an iPad.
On top of that, children with Kanner’s syndrome may ignore typical group activities, focusing instead on a single part rather than the whole experience. They also seem emotionally distant, even from close family members.
In Kanner’s syndrome, fixation on specific objects or topics is common and often more intense than in other forms of autism. Individuals rely heavily on routine, with even small changes potentially causing distress.
Many people with Kanner’s syndrome experience behavioral issues, whether it is a quick burst of anger or a full-on meltdown.
Managing Kanner’s syndrome
Much like every level of ASD, there is no cure for Kanner’s syndrome. Autism is not a “disease” that needs to be “cured”. However, there are treatments to help manage some of the symptoms.
These may include:
- Behavioral therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Medication
- Specialized education programs
The treatment plans to manage Kanner’s syndrome symptoms can be tailored to the child’s individual needs. One of my children undergoes multiple therapies, has a specialized education program, and takes medication to help with sleep regressions and epilepsy.
Understanding your child’s place on the spectrum
While Kanner’s syndrome is not an official diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, it is still used as a designation by many. It can help parents understand where their children with autism may fall on the spectrum.
Much of what we know about autism spectrum disorders today is thanks to the groundbreaking work of Leo Kanner and his initial studies.
The autism community is growing and learning every day. Knowing about designations like Kanner’s syndrome and the DSM-5 levels is essential to help you learn and grow as a parent.
FAQs
Q: What are Kanner’s syndrome symptoms?
A: Kanner’s syndrome symptoms typically include delayed speech development, a strong preference for routine, limited social interaction, and intense focus on specific interests. Other signs may include echolalia, lack of eye contact, and difficulties with imaginative play.
Q: Is Kanner’s syndrome the same as autism?
A: Kanner’s syndrome is an outdated term that originally described what is now recognized as classic autism or Level 3 autism under the modern autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. While not used as an official diagnosis today, it referred to a more severe form of autism.
Q: Can adults have Kanner syndrome?
A: Yes, adults who were diagnosed in childhood with Kanner’s syndrome still retain that diagnosis, though today they would typically be considered as having autism spectrum disorder. The term itself is no longer officially used in modern diagnostic manuals.
Q: Is Kanner’s Syndrome genetic?
A: While no single gene causes Kanner’s syndrome, research suggests that genetics play a significant role in autism spectrum disorders, including the more severe presentations Kanner described. Environmental and neurological factors may also contribute to its development.
References
Le Meur, O., Nebout, A., Cherel, M., & Etchamendy, E. (2020). From kanner austim to asperger syndromes, the difficult task to predict where ASD people look at. IEEE Access, 8, 162132-162140.
Harris, J. (2018). Leo Kanner and autism: a 75-year perspective. International review of psychiatry, 30(1), 3-17. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09540261.2018.1455646
Golt, J., & Kana, R. K. (2022). History of autism. In The neuroscience of autism (pp. 1-14). Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128163931000026
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