Obituary: Sula Wolff
It is rare for psychiatrists to make their mark by carrying out original research on groups of children not hitherto recognised as sharing particular characteristics. However, Sula Wolff, who has died aged 85, studied over a 20-year period, from childhood to adult life, people she called "loners" or who, in psychiatric parlance, showed "schizoid personality". In a book called Loners published in 1995, she described the children she had seen. Lacking empathy with other children, they were either completely or almost friendless. Although usually of at least average intelligence, they often showed language or other developmental delays. Usually, well beyond an age when this might be regarded as normal, they were completely absorbed in their fantasy lives. These children were similar to those diagnosed with autism, but there were a number of important differences. When she followed these children into adult life, Sula found that they...
Read the whole article on The Guardian - Science
More from The Guardian - Science
Related
- Case Western Reserve research finds that the lack of specific gene plays role in autismMon, 9 Feb 2009, 9:22:22 EST
- Largest study to date finds benefits of ICDs in childrenThu, 1 May 2008, 10:42:19 EDT
- Children who view adult-targeted TV may become sexually active earlier in lifeMon, 4 May 2009, 10:54:05 EDT
- Brain's magnetic fields reveal language delays in autismMon, 1 Dec 2008, 10:01:50 EST
- New study reveals: Gifted children shape their personalities according to social stigmaTue, 3 Mar 2009, 9:57:23 EST