The term "autism" was coined by the German psychiatrist Eugen 
Bleuler in 1908 to describe some of the symptoms (e.g., being withdrawn 
or aloof and oblivious to the surroundings) of patients with schizophre-
nia. The word autism comes from the Greek word "autos" referring to self, 
which may encapsulate the increased focus on oneself, often observed in 
children and adults with autism.