Donald Gray Triplett holds a significant place in history as the first person ever diagnosed with autism. Born in September 1933 in Forest, Mississippi, Donald grew up in a prominent family. His mother’s family founded the local bank, while his father worked as an attorney. Even at an early age, it was clear that Donald struggled with social interaction and found little interest in it. Instead, he developed fixations on certain objects and displayed an impressive ability for memorization.
In 1937, due to his developmental delays, Donald’s parents made the difficult decision to commit him to a state institution. However, after a year, they decided to bring him back home, seeking answers and support for their son’s unique needs.
In October 1938, Donald Triplett was examined by Austrian child psychiatrist Leo Kanner at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Kanner, puzzled by Donald’s symptoms, noted similarities to schizophrenia but couldn’t provide a definitive diagnosis. Over the next few years, Dr. Kanner encountered ten more cases with similar characteristics. In 1943, he published an article titled “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact,” outlining the foundational symptoms of what would later be known as autism. In this seminal paper, Donald Triplett was referred to as Case 1, Donald T.
Today, the prevalence of autism has significantly increased, leading to a better understanding of the wide-ranging spectrum it encompasses. Exploring this evolving understanding is a documentary film titled “In A Different Key,” which sheds light on the history of autism. The film features Donald Triplett, providing a portrait of the man who was the first to receive an autism diagnosis. Still residing in the small Mississippi town where he grew up, Donald’s story reflects the changing perspectives and treatments of autism over time.
As filmmakers Caren Zucker and John Donvan discuss their project, they highlight the deeply personal connections they have with autism through their own families. The documentary showcases various individuals with autism, illustrating the diverse backgrounds, ages, and levels of independence they embody. However, it is through Donald Triplett’s story, now 89 years old, that the film traces the evolution of autism’s perception and treatment.
Discovering Donald Triplett’s whereabouts proved to be a challenge. In 2007, after diligent sleuthing, the filmmakers located him in Forest, Mississippi. Respectful of his privacy, they took steps to contact him through intermediaries who knew him personally. The townspeople, who had embraced and protected Donald throughout his life, warned the filmmakers to handle the situation with care, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding him.
The documentary delves into the past, revealing how individuals with autism were often confined to institutions, which were essentially dumping grounds for the unwanted. These institutions lacked adequate resources, staff, and support, becoming places where people with disabilities, including mental health issues and intellectual disabilities, were housed, often forgotten and neglected.
The film also addresses the prevailing misconceptions and blame associated with autism in the past. At one point, a widely accepted theory held that autism was caused by white mothers’ supposed coldness and inability to connect with their children. This misguided belief fostered shame and stigma, leading to the placement of children with autism in institutions, separating families, and perpetuating a cycle of misunderstanding.
Caren Zucker shares her own experience, having a brother-in-law with autism and raising a son diagnosed with the disorder. Through their journey, she highlights the importance of society making room for individuals like her son, emphasizing the need for understanding and acceptance. The filmmakers hope that by fostering clearer insights into the lives of those who are different, society will come to embrace and support individuals with autism, creating a world where they can thrive.