The New York Times recently published a list of notable deaths in 2023, covering a wide spectrum of figures from the world of literature, politics, popular culture, technology, sports, medicine, and the list goes on. As I read the biographies of these men and women, I came to one name that stood out for me, Donald Triplett, the first person diagnosed with autism in 1943. 

Donald was born in 1933 and from the young age of two, he engaged in behaviors that today we associate with autism. He was singing Christmas carols before 2, enjoyed memorizing numbers, reciting them and then quickly moved on to multiplication faster than a calculator. There were no programs at that time for children who were “different”, so at the recommendation of his doctors, he was sent to a nearby institution. It would be 40 years before the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed. However, Donald’s parents, who were only permitted monthly visits, soon saw that he was no longer the spirited child that they knew and brought him back home. His parents became his strongest advocates, and sought treatment with Dr. Kanner, the world-renowned psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It was he who diagnosed him with autism. Donald’s mother strongly encouraged the local public schools to allow him to attend and he completed high school. Later, Donald graduated from college and worked in his family’s bank for decades. He developed two full time hobbies, golfing and world travel. Donald was a happy man. People liked Donald and as he approached old age, in his little community he was beloved. His Mother wrote, “Donald had turned out much better than we hoped for.” That sounds so familiar! 

Donald’s story is one that more and more people today are experiencing. 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism today. His story is one of hope, support, and an unwavering commitment from the community, which gave Donald the compassion and support he needed to live a life of authenticity and acceptance. We’re still learning so much about autism. As I always say, “If you know a person with autism, you know a person with autism.” Throughout his 89 years, Donald showed us that people with autism have gifts to share with the world and that we must learn to embrace people with autism and all they have to offer.  

Donald Triplett passed away on June 15, 2023, and leaves a legacy behind that will last for years to come. May his story be an inspiration to us as we continue to learn more about autism and help support those impacted by it. It certainly inspires me today as I see numerous parallels between Ryan’s life and Donald’s.  

For further information on Donald Triplett, read “In a different key, the story of Autism” by John Donvan and Caren Zucker.