- Fred R Volkmar: Yale University Child Study Center, PO Box 207900, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. Fred.volkmar@yale.edu. ORCID
This special section celebrates the first official recognition of Autism as a diagnostic concept in 1980 in the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. The articles in this special section note the many areas of significant progress made as well as areas that remain important topics for continued and future research. The official recognition of autism as a diagnostic concept has significantly advanced both clinical work and research.