Bernard Rimland

Bernard Rimland was an American psychologist and pioneer in autism research. Born in 1928, he became well-known for advocating a more compassionate understanding of autism, challenging prior notions that it was caused by cold parenting. Rimland founded the Autism Society of America and authored influential books, including "Infantile Autism," which helped shape modern perceptions of the condition. He promoted the idea that autism is a neurological disorder rather than a psychological one and advocated for educational and therapeutic interventions to support individuals with autism. His work significantly contributed to the field of autism research and advocacy.