For anyone interested in the history of ASD, I highly recommend the book NeuroTribes [1] - I read this shortly after my son was diagnosed with ASD and it goes through a lot of history, up to the most recent DSM V definition.
The book was the first thing I read after we received the diagnosis for my son - although a friend had recommended it prior to this.
It also helped me as person feel less different and accepting of myself (I do not have an ASD diagnosis).