The Autism Spectrum

Written for the wide range of physicians and professionals who treat children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), this book reviews the scientific research on the nature and causes of autism, outlines best treatment practices with children and describes a comprehensive assessment and treatment approach for adults. Topics covered include: • Classification, epidemiology and diagnosis • Neurodevelopmental abnormalities • Recommendations for early screening and evaluating at-risk children • Early interventions based on applied behavioral analysis • The critical role of special education, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy and assistive technology in treating children • Pharmacotherapy • Complementary and alternative treatments • Development of individualized and person-centered treatments for adults The Autism Spectrum is an invaluable resource for all those working with ASDs including pediatricians, psychiatrists, behavioral psychologists, special educators, nurses and therapists. Features • Provides clinicians' perspectives on research which enables practitioners to discern and learn what is relevant to them in latest autism research • Describes treatment approaches in a wide variety of professional disciplines which informs practitioners of best ways to treat autism in own field and that of others • Has separate section devoted to adults with ASDs which offers a comprehensive model for adult assessment and treatment Table of Contents Part I. What We Know about Autism and How We Know It: 1. Nosology: definitions and diagnoses 2. Epidemiology 3. Phenomenology: the neuropsychology of autism Gerry Stefanatos 4. Pathophysiology: the neuroscience of autism Gerry Stefanatos 5. Etiology: syndromic autism 6. Etiology: essential autism Part II. Assessing and Treating Children with Autism: 7. Clinical diagnostic evaluation 8. Special education Judy Horrocks 9. Habilitation therapies (including speech-language and occupational therapies and assistive technology) Joseph Campbell and Kathleen Mears 10. Behavioral therapies Scott Spreat 11. Pharmacotherapy and nutritional therapies Part III. Assessing and Treating Adults with Autism: 12. Clinical assessment of adults Susan McLeer and Donna McNellis 13. Treatment planning for adults Susan McLeer and Donna McNellis.