Edward Ross Ritvo

Edward Ross Ritvo (June 1, 1930 – June 10, 2020) was an American psychiatrist known for his research on genetic components of autism. He was a professor emeritus of UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute.

Family life and education Edward Ross Ritvo, son of Max Ritvo and Frances (née Davis) Ritvo, was born in Boston on June 1, 1930. As a young man he enjoyed rowing, skied on Harvard's ski team, and once climbed Mount Blanc. He had seven children including Eva Ritvo and Max Ritvo.

Career Ritvo held positions as a teaching fellow in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Tufts Medical School, and a fellowship in child psychiatry at James Jackson Putnam Children's Center in Boston.

Following a fellowship in child psychiatry at Reiss-Davis Clinic for Child Psychiatry, in Los Angeles from 1961–1962, he joined the faculty of the UCLA School of Medicine in 1962, where he served until he retired as professor emeritus.

Ritvo led a 1985 study of 61 pairs of twins which showed "that autism is associated with an inherited gene, and that the pattern of inheritance is recessive." He and colleagues at UCLA identified a subclinical form of autism in the parents of autistic children.

Selected publications

Professional books

Journal articles

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, George Tarjan Award, 1994, for a life-time of contributions to the understanding of MR and Developmental Disabilities. American Psychiatric Association, Blanche F. Ittleson Award, 1990, in recognition of scientific contributions to child psychiatry. Southern California Psychiatric Society Achievement Award for Distinguished Research, April 23, 1988. Autism Society of America "Man of the Year" Award, March 6, 1988. The National Society of Autistic Children Annual Award for Scientific Achievement, June 28, 1974.