As a child, Alfred suffered with Rickets. Rickets is a disease that is caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Rickets leads to the softening and weakening of the bones. Because of Alder having this disease, he was restricted to a wheel chair until the age of four when he was able to walk on his own. Due to Alder having Rickets disease, he was inspired to become a physician. He started his education and soon graduated from the University of Vienna in 1895 with a degree in the medical field. At first, Alder started his medical career in ophthalmology and later switched to general practice.