Title: A clinical guide to autistic spectrum disorders /
Authors: Evans, Patricia, 1956-; Morris, Mary Ann
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,
Year: 2011
Subjects: Autism spectrum disorders; Autism in children; Autism spectrum disorders Treatment.; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive diagnosis; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive therapy
Abstract: "Sad to say, most medical school and residency programs fail to prepare physicians very well to recognize the less obvious forms of autism spectrum disorder or to appropriately manage children with autism. Clinical neuroscience training, at whatever level, tends to emphasize global failure of cognitive development or the subsequent loss of one or more cognitive functions due to structural lesions or diffuse degenerative processes. Neither of these models suit children with autism spectrum disorders very well. Inexperience in the management of autism has become particularly problematic because of the increased frequency of its diagnosis in recent years and the increased recognition of milder autism phenotypes"--Provided by publisher.
Contents: Introduction to autistic spectrum disorders -- History -- Current thoughts regarding the neurobiology of autism -- Changing demographics of autism in the United States -- Incorporating people with autism within the primary care practice -- Symptom-based assessment -- Algorithm for the evaluation and management of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders -- Developmental delays: speech, motor, social, and global -- Odd behaviors -- Autistic spectrum disorders and regression -- Vegetative disturbance: sleep, eating, and elimination problems -- Epilepsy and autistic spectrum disorders -- Psychiatric problems and autistic spectrum disorders -- Genetic and environmental syndromes associated with autistic spectrum disorders -- Individuals with exceptional gifts and autistic spectrum disorders: autistic savants -- Adults living with an autistic spectrum disorders -- Ethical considerations in the primary medical care of individuals with an autistic spectrum disorder -- Therapeutic approaches -- Environmental approaches -- Nonpharmacologic therapeutic options -- Pharmaceutical approaches -- Complementary and alternative medicine -- Autism spectrum disorders and the public school -- Assessment: making the diagnosis -- Medical statements that may help children with autistic spectrum disorders in the classroom -- Finding ways to help families navigate the public school system.