Donald Triplett, passed away on June 15, 2023, at 89, in Forest, Mississippi, following an extended illness. May he rest in peace.
Who is Donald Triplett?
Donald Triplett was the first person ever diagnosed with autism and the longest-living person known to have autism. He was born on September 8, 1933, as the eldest son of an affluent family. From an early age, he displayed challenges with social interactions and an uncanny knack for memorization.
In 1937, his parents committed him to a state institution but withdrew him a year later. At the urging of John Hopkins psychiatrist Leo Kanner, who diagnosed him, Triplett lived with a couple who owned a farm near Forest in 1944. He was known as "Case 1" and was diagnosed as a child by Kanner.
Who is Leo Kanner?
Leo Kanner was an Austrian-American psychiatrist, physician, and social activist best known for his work related to classic autism¹. He is considered one of the most influential American clinical psychiatrists of the 20th century. Before working at the Henry Phipps Psychiatric Clinic at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Kanner practiced as a physician in Germany and Switzerland.
Triplett was diagnosed with autism after his parents sent a 22-page letter to a researcher at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. The letter discussed his abilities and behavior and is still used as a reference by those studying disorders.
As a child, Triplett's love of counting and measuring came in handy when he helped with chores like plowing. He moved back in with his parents and attended the local high school where his disabilities were mostly accepted. In 1958, he graduated from Millsaps College with a bachelor's degree.
Triplett spent 65 years working at the Bank of Forest, where his father was a primary shareholder. He was known for his remarkable mathematical skills, which allowed him to multiply two three-digit numbers faster than one could get the answer on a calculator (source).
According to his brother Oliver, Don has a remarkable memory, musically, he has perfect pitch and was born with phenomenal abilities. He is often compared to the Rain Man, just like the character Raymond, who is an autistic savant and also has a photographic memory and a genius for mathematics in the movie.
“In a lot of cases where an autistic birth occurs the person born has what are called savant skills. This held true for Don in the fields of mathematics and in music. Don, just by way of example what would 38 times 23 be?” Triplett would respond, “874.” The writer of this article checked that on his calculator on his phone, and he was correct. But it took him three times to get it right in his calculator.
Triplett was a very talented and very independent person. He liked playing golf, visiting new places, and flying to interesting places.
Bank President Allen Breland said, “We’re very proud of Don Triplett. He’s an 85-year-old gentleman who still leads a very active life. Probably the most well-traveled person in the state. We have a chicken in his honor inside the bank. He’s an avid golfer, so we have a golf club, and we have post cards that represent all his travels that he does.”
Triplett’s life was covered in news articles, a book called "In a Different Key,” a PBS documentary, and medical journals. His story offers hope to parents of children who are different. The community of Forest embraced and encouraged him, allowing him to live a happy and full life. He was a celebrity in Forest. Indeed, he had a full and happy life.
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