Dr. Lorna Wing (October 7, 1928 –June 6, 2014) was a pioneering British psychiatrist, author, and autism researcher whose work revolutionized the way the world understands autism. Co-founding the National Autistic Society in 1962, she became a leading advocate for individuals with autism and their families at a time when awareness was minimal.
Lorna Wing is best known for introducing the concept of the autism spectrum and for popularizing the term Asperger syndrome, based on the previously overlooked work of Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger. Her groundbreaking “Camberwell Study” in the 1970s shifted the medical and scientific view of autism from a narrow diagnosis to a broader, more inclusive spectrum, fundamentally altering diagnostic frameworks worldwide.
A devoted mother to an autistic daughter, Wing brought personal insight to her clinical research, blending empathy with scientific rigor. Her contributions continue to shape education, diagnosis, and support systems for neurodiverse individuals.
Lorna Wing’s legacy lives on in the global autism community, where her advocacy, research, and compassion have left an indelible mark.
