The understanding of diseases, including autism, is shaped by historical context, which continues to influence contemporary research and clinical practices. While the medical history of autism is well-documented, it is also affected by public controversies, particularly since the 1980s when autism and ASD were recognized as distinct conditions.

The way autism has been framed, from early clinical descriptions to the rise of psychoanalytic, cognitive, and genetic models, has evolved over time. Recent neurodiversity debates have influenced revisionist views of autism's history, highlighting how the portrayal of the condition has shifted alongside scientific and societal changes.

This project will be primarily hosted at the University of Bordeaux-Montaigne with Steeves, and secondments are planned with Kaat at KU Leuven and Lara at the University of Bielefeld.