Lorna Wing OBE, MD, FRCPsych: Formerly psychiatrist and physician, Social Psychiatry Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, co-founder of the UK National Autistic Society

Abstract

Presents an obituary of Lorna Wing. The psychiatrist and autism researcher Lorna Wing, OBE, has died at the age of 85. Lorna Wing was the figurehead of autism knowledge and the one person in the field of autism research who always had it right, right from the start. She has been a pioneering figure both clinically and scientifically. A whole world including colleagues, patients and relatives mourn her death. She contributed to a better quality of life for millions of people with autism. Lorna and John Wing had a daughter, Susie, who had severe autism. When Susie died unexpectedly at the age of 49, I remember Lorna's devastation. She described how Susie had never been able to clearly express her emotions, but how, when Lorna or John came home after work, her face would light up. Lorna said that the feeling that filled her then was absolutely wonderful, unlike anything else. Lorna Wing published several influential books and about 60 major scientific papers, the last one in 2013, at the age 85. She was the recipient of many honours including the Order of the British Empire. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).