Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Autism is hot these days--this book cuts across special education, school psychology, and school and clinical counseling. Our promotion to libraries and textbook markets should improve.

For thousands of loving and concerned parents of autistic children, the suspicion that something may be wrong comes long before the clinical diagnosis of autism, PDD (pervasive developmental disorder), or Asperger's syndrome. When rounds of testing and consultations confirm parents' worst fears, their emotional turmoil is matched by an overriding practical concern: What do we do next? The World of the Autistic Child is by far the most complete and comprehensive book ever written for the parents of autistic children, and for the teachers, child specialists, and other professionals that care for them. Written by Dr. Bryna Siegel, a developmental psychologist and director of a large university clinic for autistic children, it provides help and hope not only for the children, but for their families--the parents, grandparents, siblings, and other caregivers who must come to grips with their own grief and confusion following a diagnosis of autism or other related disorder. Dr. Siegel believes that parents' best defense is to acquire, as early as possible, the knowledge and the parenting skills they will need to work with professionals to help their child fulfill his or her potential. This book, therefore, is about understanding the diagnosis of autism, the available treatments, and how to decide what is best for a particular child with autism or PDD. Straightforward and sympathetic, Dr. Siegel guides readers through the thicket of symptoms and labels, explaining the crucial importance of intensive early education, and how to find the resources and help that are available. Behavior modification, the development of daily living skills, guidelines for selecting and designing schooling, mainstreaming, the role for traditional academics in educating higher functioning children and young people, building effective parent-teacher relationships, psychoactive medications, and dealing with the possibility of residential placement are all covered. Dr. Siegel teaches parents and professionals to use their own common sense and personal observations in evaluating the many highly publicized but unorthodox and often untested treatments for autism, including the much-touted facilitated communication (F/C), holding therapy, auditory training, "Options" therapy, allergy treatments, and special diets. Pulling together a wealth of long-needed information on the latest educational and medical advances, The World of the Autistic Child is a superb guide and resource that no one who cares about autistic or developmentally disabled young people will want to be without.

Developmental Language Disorders: From Phenotypes to Etiologies is based on the recent conference of the same name sponsored by the Merrill Advanced Studies Center of the University of Kansas. In the past 10 years, considerable advances have taken place in our understanding of genetic and environmental influences on language disorders in children. Significant research in behavioral phenotypes, associated neurocortical processes, and the genetics of language disorders has laid the foundation for further breakthroughs in understanding the reasons for overlapping etiologies, as well as the unique aspects of some phenotypes. Too often the findings are disseminated in a fragmented way because of the discrete diagnostic categories of affectedness. This volume attempts to assimilate and integrate the findings of the transdisciplinary research toward a more coherent picture of behavioral descriptions, brain imaging studies, genetics, and intervention technologies in language impairment. The contributing authors are all scholars with active programs of research funded by the National Institutes of Health involving diverse clinical groups of children with language impairments.

Dedicated to the memory and work of Lisa Capps, this volume is a forum for scholars and practitioners interested in the typical and atypical development of persons with autism. Each chapter is focused on theoretical considerations and the empirical evidence regarding a specific aspect of functioning, but common themes of development are considered throughout. Within this framework, the contributors provide a detailed and comprehensive account of the development of persons with autism. The book is divided into four sections: (1) Developmental, Neurobiological, Genetic, and Family Considerations; (2) Attention and Perception; (3) Cognition, Theory of Mind, and Executive Functioning; and (4) Social and Adaptive Behaviors. With the consideration of this broad range of topics, this volume is both a state-of-the-art resource about autism and a unique contribution to the study of development. It will be of interest to researchers and care providers from several domains, including psychology, psychiatry, social work, developmental psychology, and education. This volume can be used as a text in graduate and advanced undergraduate courses, and as a resource in applied settings.

This groundbreaking book brings together contributions by leading scientists from different fields to provide a balanced view of the spectrum of current studies on autism. Four main areas of research are covered.Twin and family data indicate that the heritability of the underlying liability to autism exceeds 90%. This probably involves interactions among a relatively small number of susceptibility genes, an hypothesis that is examined in detail.New techniques are now available for examining the neurobiology of autism. The book contains results from imaging studies showing the contributions of different brain regions to this disorder and addresses the neuropathology of autism.There has been considerable discussion in the literature on the fundamental nature of the psychological deficit in children with autism. The book discusses the evidence that so-called 'Theory of mind' deficits are associated with autism.The most important practical question facing medical practitioners is how to help children with autism. Possible psychological or psychiatric interventions for rehabilitation of children with autism are examined in detail. Drug treatments have been disappointing in this field and one chapter addresses this problem.Other topics covered include the epidemiology of autism, immunological aspects_including the possible role of infectious agents in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders_and language impairments.This broad-ranging, authoritative book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in autism and its treatment.

There was a time when abnormal child psychology was the stepchild of abnormal psychology, with perhaps one or two chapters in an entire advanced textbook devoted to children. Given the explosive amount of new research on child development in general since the 1980s, "stepchild" is obviously no longer a valid characterization. Indeed, in the last 15 years, many new journals devoted to childhood problems have made their appearance on library bookshelves. The first edition of this book was assembled in an effort to integrate the empirical and clinical literatures and show the advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate student the breadth and depth of our existing knowledge about the disorders that manifest themselves early in development. Now, since its publication in 1995, a great deal more work has been done. This revised and expanded second edition includes much new material from the first edition authors and from several new ones, all respected experts in the field. Part I offers an overview. It outlines: *historical developments with documentation of the neglect and abuse that children suffered at the hands of society well into the 20th century; *developmental psychopathology as a theoretical framework to guide research and clinical efforts; *psychophysiological determinants of behavior, with special attention focused on childhood autism, and attention deficit and antisocial conduct disorders; *theoretical, methodological, and practical considerations involved in determining investigatory paths including sampling, design selection, measurement, data analysis, and pragmatics; and *the reactions of children, families, and society to complex and diverse child health problems. Part II addresses assessment and treatment issues. It discusses: *behavioral treatment of childhood disorders and multiple case examples of commonly used techniques; *new developments in pharmacological treatment and sound guidelines for the consideration of pharmacotherapy; and *formulations and a review of preventive interventions. Part III examines specific disorders of childhood and adolescence. It discusses: *anxiety disorders, affective and mood disorders, mental retardation, autism, specific developmental disorders, conduct disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and eating disorders; *psychological aspects of pediatric disorders--interventions tailored to the needs of the child and family to maximize adaptation and recovery; and *substance use disorders--ranging from models emphasizing social influences to those focusing on biological vulnerabilities. Each chapter in Part III has an identical structure--clinical description, causes, course, familial contributions, psychological and genetic influences, current treatments, summary--and includes numerous case illustrations.

To lose a child is tragic; to lose a child who still lives is beyond comprehension. Yet this is the experience of the mothers and fathers who tell their very personal stories in this important book. Their children, born healthy and happy, lost their minds to a mysterious disorder with no known cause or cure: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD). Also called late-onset autism, this malady differs from typical autism in that it afflicts children after one or even two years of apparently normal development. In the long term, deterioration leads to still poorer behavioral and developmental functioning.

How do families respond to such ever-present loss? In When Autism Strikes, the parents of eight such children from around the world present their own stories, in their own words. They describe their first suspicions, their struggles to find a cause, and the means by which they cope, day to day. By turns heartbreaking and inspiring, this courageous document brings to light a scientific mystery and a human tragedy.

In recent years, a growing number of children and adults have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a neurological condition characterized by severe difficulties with social communication. While extremely talented in their areas of special interest, many with the diagnosis also have problems with coordination and sensory processing. Professionals and families struggle to help them function competently and make the most of their unique abilities. This readable and practical book synthesizes the latest knowledge about how to do so in various contexts from early childhood on. The authors include psychologists, psychiatrists, special educators, an occupational therapist, a specialist in communication disorders, and a lawyer, with diverse philosophies and methods of intervention. They suggest a variety of ways to help those with Asperger's adapt to the "neurotypical" world, and to bridge the social chasms that can develop as they are integrated into schools, organizations, and communities. Asperger's Syndrome: Intervening in Schools, Clinics, and Communities constitutes a vital new resource for all those who seek to improve the lives of individuals with the syndrome.