Isabelle Rapin facts for kids

Isabelle Juliette Martha Rapin (born December 4, 1927, died May 24, 2017) was a very important doctor. She was a professor of Neurology (the study of the brain and nervous system) and Pediatrics (the medical care of children). She worked at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Rapin was a leading expert on autism for many years.

Her Early Life and Education

Isabelle Rapin was born in Lausanne, Switzerland. Her mother was from the United States, and her father was Swiss. As a child, she loved to read books. She was also a Girl Scout. She went to all-girls' schools from age 9 to 19.

Her family included many scientists. Because of this, she decided to become a doctor before she was ten years old.

Studying to Become a Doctor

In 1946, she began studying at the University of Lausanne Medical School. Her class had about 100 students, and only about 12 of them were women. In 1951, she spent three months in Paris at two hospitals. After this, she decided to become a pediatric neurologist. This is a doctor who specializes in brain and nervous system problems in children.

She graduated from Lausanne Medical School in 1952. There were not many paying jobs for doctors in Switzerland then. So, she applied for jobs in the United States. She was offered a position in pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She moved to the United States in 1953. She received her medical degree (M.D.) in 1955.

Family Life

Isabelle met her husband, Harold Oaklander, in 1958. They got married in 1959. She said that her husband was very supportive. He helped with all the household chores and raising their children. This support allowed her to succeed in child neurology.

Her husband finished his Ph.D. at Columbia University. He knew Isabelle would not leave the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. So, he took a job nearby that was "less prestigious" to be close to her. They had four children: two daughters and two sons.

Her Amazing Career

Dr. Rapin worked as an intern in pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital. She then did her residency in neurology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. She joined the faculty at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1958. She retired in 2012 when she was 84 years old.

She saw many changes in the field of autism over the years. She noticed that parents used to talk about language problems first. But later, with the internet, parents often worried about autism before their visit. They wanted to hear her diagnosis without sharing their own concerns.

Dr. Rapin's interest in language problems and autism grew. This was helped by Dr. Doris A. Allen joining Einstein. Dr. Allen was an expert in how children develop language. After examining many children with autism, Dr. Rapin believed something important. She found that about one-third of parents reported that their autistic preschoolers had early language and behavior problems. She thought this was a real issue that needed more scientific study.

Important Roles and Groups

Dr. Rapin helped start two important groups:

• The Child Neurology Society
• The International Child Neurology Association

At Einstein, she created the Child Neurology Service. She also started a special program for doctors to become child neurologists.

She served on the boards of several medical organizations. These included the Child Neurology Society and the American Academy of Neurology.

Recognition and Discoveries

Newspapers and medical experts praised Dr. Rapin's work. The Boston Globe called her a specialist in children's brain diseases. They said she discovered several diseases. They also noted she was a leading authority on autism.

The New York Times called her the "doyenne of autism." This means she was considered the most important and respected woman in the field. They said she spent decades studying the disability.

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine honored Dr. Rapin. They called her a leader in child neurology. They said she made many discoveries about genetic brain disorders in children. She also helped shape our understanding of autism. She was called a "mother of autism" and a "guiding light."

In 2012, Einstein started an annual conference in her honor. This conference focuses on communication disorders. A colleague, Dr. Mark Mehler, said she was the world's expert. He said she defined and improved our understanding of an entire field. In 2006, Einstein held a special meeting about autism to honor her.

Awards and Advice

Dr. Rapin received many awards for her work:

• President's Award from the American Academy of Neurology
• Honorary Alumna status from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Award for Excellence in Autism Research from the Autism Society of America
• Shriver Center Award

In her autobiography, Dr. Rapin shared some advice for young doctors. She said child neurology is a rewarding field. It's rewarding both for your mind and because of the families you meet. She said to have a great life and job, you need:

• A supportive partner
• Help with childcare and house tasks
• Flexibility and a good sense of humor
• To notice unusual things
• To see every patient as a chance to learn something new
• To follow your interests strongly
• To learn to prioritize and make things simpler
• To find a good mentor
• To enjoy what you do
• And to be lucky!

See also

In Spanish: Isabelle Rapin para niños