Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Reference Handbook

This handbook provides an overview of the current scientific understanding of autism spectrum disorders, as well as a cultural and historical perspective on the controversies that plague the field. "Autism" describes a complex developmental disability that interferes with social interaction and communication. Symptoms of autism are generally recognizable when children are under the age of three. Until the 1990s, rates for autism were generally estimated at 1 in 2500. In 2010, however, the estimate is now 1 in 110 children. Is the incidence of autism increasing, or has there simply been a shift in how often this disability is diagnosed as the problem? This text provides a comprehensive explanation of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Reference Handbook educates readers about ASD without relying on confusing medical jargon, highlighting current understanding of etiology, neuroscience, and intervention. It also discusses the historical and cultural influences of ASD and explores the controversial aspects of autism.

Table of Contents:
Preface, Acknowledgments, 1 Background and Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), Introduction, Brief History of Autism, Domains of Impairment, Reciprocal Social Interaction, Communication Skills, Repetitive or Restricted Interests and Behaviors, ASD Diagnosis, PDDs, Diagnostic Evaluation, Clinical Vignettes, Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, PDD-NOS, Early Identification of ASD, Genetic Factors, Brain Development, Treatments, Conclusion, References, 2 Controversies, Problems, and Solutions in the Field of ASD, Controversies Surrounding the Causes of Autism, The Refrigerator Mother Theory and the Birth of the Genetics of Autism, "The Autism Epidemic", The Vaccine Controversy, The Contextual Factors, Events in the Controversy, Controversies Surrounding the Treatment of Autism, Facilitated Communication, Secretin, Chelation, The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet, Conclusion, References, 3 Worldwide and Cultural Perspectives in ASD, Introduction, Prevalence Rates, Epidemiological Studies, Immigrant Status, Social Class, Cultural Influences in Mental Disorders, Cultural Factors Related to Developmental Disabilities, Family Adaptation, Family Appraisal, Religion, Social Support, Cognitive Testing, Cultural Factors and ASDs, ASD Symptoms and Diagnosis, Diagnostic Tools, Countries outside of the United States, Racial and Ethnic Groups within the United States, Acquisition of Cultural Knowledge, The Culture of Autism, Treatment, Access to Services, Cultural Influences in Treatment Choice, Focus of Treatment, Treatment/Educational Recommendations, Conclusion, References, 4 Chronology, 5 Biographical Sketches, Hans Asperger, Tony Attwood, Simon Baron-Cohen, Margaret Bauman, Bruno Bettelheim, Eugene Bleuler, Tony Charman, Eric Courchesne, Geraldine Dawson, Susan Folstein, Eric Fombonne, Uta Frith, Daniel Geschwind, Temple Grandin, Stanley Greenspan, Portia Iversen and Jonathan Shestack, Leo Kanner, Ami Klin, Robert and Lynn Koegel, Karen and Eric London, Catherine Lord, O. (Ole) Ivar Lovaas, Peter Mundy, Isabelle Rapin, Bernard Rimland, Edward Ritvo, Sally Rogers, Sir Michael Rutter, Eric Schopler, Robert Schultz, Marian Sigman, Marilyn and Jim Simons, Ruth C. Sullivan, Helen Tager-Flusberg, Fred Volkmar, Lorna Wing, Suzanne and Bob Wright, 6 Data and Documents, Domains of Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders Umbrella Term, Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Constellation of Symptoms in an Individual with ASD, Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Neuroscience of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Face Perception in Autism, Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Prevalence Estimates from Monitoring Networks, Ethnic Differences in Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Guidelines for Evaluating Interventions, Guidelines for Evaluating Complementary and Alternative Treatments, Applied Behavioral Analysis and Discrete Trial Training, Social Stories, Economic Cost of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and Autism, References, 7 Directory of Organizations, Private, Not-for-Profit Organizations, Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), Autism and PDD Support Network, Autism National Committee (AUTCOM), Autism Research Institute (ARI), Autism Science Foundation (ASF), Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, AutismSpot, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD), Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT), Families of Adults Afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome (FAAAS), First Signs, Foundation for Educating Children with Autism (FECA), Generation Rescue, The Help Group, Interactive Autism Network (IAN), MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Manitas por Autismo (SPANISH), Mothers United for Moral Support (MUMS), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Autism Association (NAA), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), Organization for Autism Research (OAR), SafeMinds, Sibling Support Project, Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), Talk about Curing Autism (TACA), Unlocking Autism, Professional Organizations, American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP), American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Governmental Organizations, Autism Coordinating Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clinical Trials.gov, Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, National Institutes for Health Autism Research Networks, National Institutes for Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), National Library of Medicine, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), University-Based Organizations, Autism Center of Excellence and Healthy Infant Development Lab, University of California–San Diego, Autism Intervention Research Program, University of California–San Diego, Drexel Autism Center, Emory Autism Center, Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), Florida State University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA), Indiana University, Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital, Learning and Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services (LADDERS), Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children (TEACCH) Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, University of California, Davis, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART), University of Central Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), University of Florida at Jacksonville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disorders (UM-NSU CARD), University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Centers (UMACC), University of South Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), University of Washington Autism Center, Yale Autism Program, 8 Resources, Print Resources, General Information about ASDs, Biological Mechanisms: Genetics and Neurological Functioning, General Intervention, Helpful Tools, Social and Communication Skills, School and Education, Biography/Personal Stories/Stories, Parenting/Family Issues/Parent Perspectives, Books for Individuals with Autism, Adolescence, Adulthood, Nonprint Resources, General Autism Resources, Films and Video Clips, Environmental Supports: Computer Software, Visual Supports, and Other Materials, Support Resources, School and Education, Glossary, Index, About the Authors,