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Autism

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ISBN-10:: 0313347638
ISBN-13:: 9780313347634
Pub. Date:: 11/30/2008
Publisher:: Bloomsbury Academic

ISBN-10:: 0313347638
ISBN-13:: 9780313347634
Pub. Date:: 11/30/2008
Publisher:: Bloomsbury Academic

Autism

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Overview

Few issues cause as much strife in contemporary society as does the cause and treatment of autism. Stories about the autism epidemic abound on talk shows and make headlines in newspapers and magazines. 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: The recognition of autism in the forties and the development of ways to diagnose autism; why autism has been expanded to the autistic spectrum disorders; what is known and not known about the autism epidemic and the causes of ASDs; the importance of screening and early intervention as well as information about outcome for individuals with ASDs; and promising areas of research.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313347634
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/30/2008
Series:	Biographies of Disease
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

LISA D. BENARON is a graduate of Yale Medical School and is board certified in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She is the medical director of Far Northern Regional center, where she provides evaluations for individuals of all ages suspected of having an ASD. She is a strong advocate of including the schools in the process of diagnosis. Dr. Benaron served on the advisory committee for the California Department of Developmental Services Best Practice Guidelines for Screening Diagnosis and Assessment of ASDs and is currently on the advisory committee reviewing evidence-based interventions for ASDs.

Preface Unravelling the Mystery
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 Autism, Aspergers Syndrome and the Evolution of the Concept of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Chapter 2 Screening for Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Past, Present and Future
Chapter 3 Diagnostic Evaluation for ASDs Part I: Getting Started
Chapter 4 Diagnostic Evaluation Part II: Appropriate Use of the DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Autistic Disorder and Supplemental Tests
Chapter 5 What Can Statistics Tell Us About the ASDs?
Chapter 6 What Causes Autism? Part 1: Basic Science
Chapter 7 What Causes Autism? Part 2: Controversial Theories and New Ways to Think About ASDs
Chapter 8 Conventional Interventions
Chapter 9 Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Approaches to Treatment: Biomedical Interventions
Chapter 10 Outcome
Glossary
Bibliography

From the B&N Reads Blog

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Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Dmitriy Niyazov, Pediatric Geneticist (Ochsner Hospital for Children)
Description: The author of this book starts with stories about patients with autism and then goes on to describe how autism is screened and diagnosed. She describes the complex science behind autism, carefully weighing the facts and controversies. The book is then devoted to a variety of different interventions including conventional as well as complementary alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. Each intervention is discussed with critiques and substantiated by literature. At the end, there is a very useful timeline of the historical events setting out how autism was first described and later investigated and treated over the last 65 years. The glossary provides useful definitions of the most commonly used words in autism jargon.
Purpose: The purpose is to present a synthesis of all current information about autism including how our understanding of autism has developed over the years, how it is changing, and which questions still need answers.
Audience: The book would be helpful for clinicians, residents, and students who care for children. Clinicians who could benefit from this book include pediatricians, geneticists, and pediatric neurologists. Parents of autistic children also could find it helpful.
Features: The book covers various aspects of the current understanding of autistic spectrum disorders. The first description of autism and subsequent progress in delineating the scientific principles behind this malady and its treatment are important for understanding the complex nature of the disease. The multitude of numerous diagnostic and screening methods are well represented in a cohesive, easy to comprehend manner. A great many different interventions are described, including conventional methods such as applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and complementary alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. Each intervention is critiqued and substantiated by the literature. At times, it was difficult to navigate between the literature sources, as they were only noted in the text by phrases such as "a 2008 study" without more specific information about which reference listed at the end. The science behind autism is especially noteworthy as this is a very complex topic and much still remains unknown. The description of various medications used to treat autism including CAM methods, is quite valuable. There is also a detailed section on what's known about the genetics of autism, which is important for both doctors and parents.
Assessment: The fact that the book integrates so many aspects of such a complex entity in such an easy to read, concise manner, speaks volumes about the author's ability to synthesize a significant body of knowledge that is far from being complete. The author is unbiased and weighs her arguments fairly. She places the utmost importance on demonstrating adequate evidence that a certain intervention would work, which is crucial for the science and art of medicine. I strongly recommend this book.

Doody's Review Service

Writing in clear, conversational prose, Benaron (medical director, Far Northern Regional Center, Redding, CA) leads readers along a difficult path: she tries to make sense of the complicated disorder of autism. The route is confounded at many junctures: debates about labeling and classification systems; variable diagnostic evaluations; the mystery of what causes autism; lack of agreement on the part of professionals about acceptable treatments (both traditional and alternative); lack of knowledge about predicting long-term outcomes for specific individuals… Benaron manages a fair and thorough description of the disorder and the direction of the future work on it. This is an excellent library and classroom resource for those new to autism and for those looking for a recent update of knowledge on the subject. Recommended. Lower-and upper level undergraduates; general readers.'” —Choice

“This volume details the development of knowledge about autism spectrum disorders, from the 1940s to the increased research of the past two decades, as well as screening; diagnostic assessments, including specific DSM-IV-TR criteria; statistics about autism; possible causes, including genetics and vaccines; and interventions and alternative treatments. Benaron, who is board certified in pediatrics, internal medicine, and neurodevelopmental disabilities, is associated with Far Northern Regional Center.” —SciTech Book News

“The author has written this book for a wide audience making it very user-friendly. . . it provides a solid basis for understanding ASD and understanding present interventions.” —Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

From the Publisher

Autism

Autism

Hardcover

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Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

Related Subjects

Customer Reviews