Celebrities and politicians express their personal opinions on the cause (or causes) of the increase in autism spectrum disorders (or ASDs), opinions often not shared by the conventional scientific community. Parents, family members, schools and government-funded agencies struggle to do the right thing for individuals with ASDs, This volume in the Biographies of Disease series provides an understandable, non-biased guide to the quagmire of information about ASDs. This foundation will enable readers to better understand the statements made by various authorities on ASDs. Autism covers all aspects of our historical and current understanding of autism spectrum disorders. The text starts with the recognition of autism in the forties and traces the development of ways to diagnose autism, explains why autism has been expanded to the autistic spectrum disorders. The author covers what is known and not known about the autism epidemic and the causes of ASDs. The critical importance of screening and early intervention is emphasized with respect to outcome for individuals with ASDs. Promising areas of research are highlighted. After reading this book, the reader will be able to place the latest breaking news about ASDs into perspective. While it is not yet possible to answer all of the questions about autism, this book allows the reader to follow along as the mystery is unraveled. Autism covers all aspects of our historical and current understanding of autism spectrum disorders:
Discusses the recognition of autism in the forties and traces the development of ways to diagnose autism
Explains why autism has been expanded to the autistic spectrum disorders
Covers what is known and not known about the autism epidemic and the causes of ASDs.
Details the importance of screening and early intervention and reviews information about outcome for individuals with ASDs.
Identifies promising areas of research
Front Cover.
Half Title Page.
Recent Titles in the Biographies of Disease Series.
Title Page.
Copyright Page.
Acknowledgement.
Epigraphs.
Contents.
Series Foreword.
Preface.
Introduction.
1: Autism, AS, and the Evolution of the Concept of the ASDs.
2: Screening for ASDs: Past, Present, and Future.
3: Diagnostic Evaluation for ASDs Part 1: Getting Started.
4: Diagnostic Evaluation for ASDs Part 2: Appropriate Use of the DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Supplemental Tests Used in the Diagnostic Process.
5: What Can Statistics Tell Us about ASDs?.
6: What Causes Autism? Part 1: Basic Science.
7: What Causes Autism? Part 2: Controversial Theories and New Ways of Thinking about ASDs.
8: Conventional Early Childhood and Educational Interventions for ASDs.
9: CAM Approaches to Treatment: “Biomedical” Interventions.
