Each year, doctors diagnose thousands of adults and children with autism spectrum disorder. Due to the growing awareness of autism and recent technological developments, scientists and doctors can now discover and observe the effects of autism on society and individuals. Thanks to his discovery, researchers were able to diagnose people more effectively. Doctors are beginning to discover the causes of this disorder and are currently trying to find ways to prevent and treat it. Many places have opened their doors to people with the disorder, creating autism-friendly environments where people are patient and understanding. Schools have also become accommodating to autistic children and adults. Autism also places great pressure on the lives of families and homes. In 1943, Leo Kanner observed eleven children, each with similar behavioral patterns, and published a paper in which he observed: "The condition differs markedly and uniquely from any hitherto reported" (Miller). Although many cases of autism and related disorders have appeared before throughout history, no one had ever properly defined the disorder until Kanner's article. The first to mention the word autism was Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation, when he described an individually autistic boy, but this is dubious speculation. The first to medically coin the term autism was Hans Asperger. Although he thought he was observing autism, he was actually observing and describing Asperger's syndrome, which doctors realized was a different disorder in 1981 ("Who discovered autism?" ). Autism doesn't affect everyone in exactly the same way. Although autistic people exhibit many similar behaviors. Usually, autistic people have little or no eye contact. Eye cont...... middle of paper...... Classrooms in public schools. " About.com Autism Spectrum Disorders. About.com, July 7, 2008. Web. February 23, 2014. .Rudy, Lisa J. "What Causes Autism?" About.com Autism Spectrum Disorders. About. com, December 23, 2010. Web February 21, 2014. .Smoak, Leslie D., MD “Autism Interview: With LD Smoak MD” Personal Interview February 19, 2014. “Who Discovered Autism?” Autism? WordPress, nd Web, February 17, 2014. .Wiseman, Nancy D. “Autism Awareness: Interview with Nancy D. Wiseman.com. MedicineNet Inc., April 17, 2007. Web February 20.”.. 2014. .