Changeling myth: a "folk diagnosis" for autism

This comparison is a fascinating and often heartbreaking area of historical study. It suggests that what we now call the "autism epidemic" is likely not a new explosion of cases, but rather a shift in how we name and understand a type of human diversity that has always existed.

The following breakdown details the changeling folklore, its striking parallels to autism, and how this history challenges modern theories about an "autism epidemic."

1. The Changeling Folklore

The Myth: In widespread European folklore (particularly Irish, Scottish, German, and Scandinavian traditions), a "changeling" was a fairy, troll, or elf child left in place of a human baby. The myth usually followed a specific narrative arc: a healthy, happy human infant would suddenly "change," becoming sickly, distant, or behaving strangely. The parents believed their "real" child had been stolen by the fae and replaced with this impostor.

Common Characteristics of a Changeling:

• The "Swap": The change often occurred overnight or over a short period, typically when the child was a toddler.

  
  

• Behavior: The changeling was often described as aloof, unresponsive to affection, or prone to "unexplained crying" (sensory distress).

  
  

• Physical Appearance: They were sometimes described as having "old" faces, large heads, or physical stiffness.

  
  

• Strange Abilities: Some myths described changelings as having "precocious wisdom," speaking in riddles, or being obsessed with music (dancing or playing the fiddle) while being non-verbal in other ways.

2. Comparison to Autism

Modern historians and psychologists (such as those cited in Steve Silberman’s book NeuroTribes) strongly suggest that the "changeling" was a pre-scientific explanation for regressive autism.

Folklore "Changeling" Trait	Modern Autism Presentation
The "Sudden Change"	Regression: Many autistic children develop typically until 18–24 months, then lose speech or social skills. To medieval parents, this sudden loss looked like a literal swap.
Unresponsive / Aloof	Social Communication Differences: Lack of eye contact, not responding to their name, or resisting cuddling/holding.
Incessant Crying / Screaming	Sensory Overload: Meltdowns triggered by textures, sounds, or lights that would seem invisible to the parents.
"Obsessed" or "Precocious"	Special Interests: Intense focus on specific topics or repetitive behaviors (stimming).
Non-verbal / Strange Speech	Communication Delays / Echolalia: Being non-speaking or repeating phrases (which sounded like "riddles" or "fairy language").
Picky Eating / Failure to Thrive	Sensory Food Aversions: extreme selectivity with food textures or tastes (ARFID).

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The Tragedy: Historically, the "cure" for a changeling was often torture. Parents were told to beat the child, expose them to fire, or abandon them in the woods to force the fairies to take the impostor back. This is now understood as a history of horrific abuse against neurodivergent children.

3. The "Autism Epidemic" Theory

The "Autism Epidemic" is the modern belief that autism is a new phenomenon that has exploded in prevalence recently, often blamed on environmental factors like vaccines. The changeling folklore provides a powerful counter-argument to this theory.

• Evidence of Historical Existence: The prevalence of changeling myths across centuries and cultures proves that children with these exact traits have always existed. They weren't diagnosed as "autistic"; they were labeled as "changelings," "feral," or "fools." The "epidemic" is likely an epidemic of recognition, not of the condition itself.

  
  

• The "Age of Onset" Fallacy:

  • Then: Parents believed fairies stole their child at age 2 because that is when the behavior changed.

  • Now: Parents often blame vaccines (specifically MMR) because they are administered around age 2, just as the behavior changes.

  • The Reality: Age 2 is simply a critical developmental window where autistic traits (like regression) naturally become visible. The folklore proves that this "regression at age 2" phenomenon predates vaccines by hundreds of years.

Summary

The changeling myth is a "folk diagnosis" for autism. It explains why medieval societies thought their children had been replaced, and it validates that autistic people have been part of the human story for millennia. This history debunks the fear-mongering of a modern "epidemic," showing instead that we are finally learning to care for children our ancestors mistakenly feared.