Autism Pioneer Donald Triplett Passes Away at 89
Donald G. Triplett, a renowned figure in the autism community, has sadly passed away at the age of 89. Triplett, who spent an impressive 65 years working at a bank in Scott County, left a lasting impact on the world as “Case 1” – the first person ever to be diagnosed with autism.
The news of Triplett’s passing comes three months after he collapsed in an airport, an incident that had raised concerns about his health. According to Allen Breland, the CEO of the bank where Triplett dedicated most of his professional life, the autism pioneer was an extraordinary individual who kept things interesting.
While Triplett may have appeared peculiar and fixated to those unfamiliar with autism, he possessed an exceptional talent for numbers. His numerical abilities were so remarkable that phone directories became obsolete in his presence. “He was in his own world,” Breland remarked, “but if you gave him two three-digit numbers, he could multiply them faster than you could get the answer on a calculator.”
In addition to his dedication to work, Triplett had a passion for golf and travel. Despite being diagnosed with autism, he frequently embarked on solo adventures to exotic destinations. He had also earned a degree from Millsaps College in 1958, marking a significant milestone in his educational journey.
Donald Triplett’s groundbreaking autism diagnosis can be traced back to his father, Beamon Triplett. Beamon, a prominent attorney and primary shareholder at the bank where Donald eventually found employment, meticulously composed a comprehensive 22-page letter detailing his son’s aptitudes and behavior. This letter, filled with insightful observations, caught the attention of researchers at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and remains an essential reference document for autism studies.
Triplett’s extraordinary life story was chronicled in the book “In a Different Key,” which shed light on his diagnosis and subsequently led to a documentary film and a BBC news magazine installment. His impact on the field of autism research and awareness cannot be overstated.
Donald Triplett’s 90th birthday would have been celebrated in September, marking a significant milestone in his life. While his passing leaves a void in the autism community, his legacy as the first diagnosed individual with autism will continue to inspire and pave the way for advancements in understanding and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.