Autism Spectrum Disorders
A Research Review for Practitioners
Edited by Sally Ozonoff, Ph.D., Sally J. Rogers, Ph.D., and Robert L. Hendren, D.O.
Autism is a devastating disorder. Although it was once thought to be rare, its numbers are skyrocketing today. The need for this enlightening and eminently practical book has never been greater. Written to help the nonspecialist provide state-of-the-art care, this remarkable volume synthesizes the most recent research on the etiology, assessment, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for practitioners. It also reviews the scientific literature and practical implications for clinical care and, in this era of evidence-based medicine, provides empirically supported guidelines for evaluation and treatment, highlighting the role of various professional disciplines. Contributors are a veritable “who’s who” of leaders and expert investigators from disciplines such as pediatrics, psychology, psychiatry, neurology, genetics, education, and early childhood development. Their work is divided into three parts:
- Part I offers a historical perspective that traces the major scientific advances, debates, and hypotheses that have informed clinical practice since autism was first described in 1943, including how to use these advances in everyday practice.
- Part II presents a model of team building and cross-disciplinary collaboration that is the practice at the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute at the University of California–Davis, the institution with which most of the contributors are associated. Each chapter reviews the important theories, research findings, and scientific debates relevant to a particular discipline (psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, and neurology), applying them to clinical care.
- Part III discusses treatments, from nonmedical interventions to pharmacotherapy and alternative theories to cultural issues and professional-parent collaboration. Again using the M.I.N.D. Institute as a model, this section articulates the absolute necessity of stakeholder/parent perspectives and partnerships in understanding and working with the disorder—coming full circle from just 10 to 15 years ago, when parents were seen as having an etiologic role in the onset of the disorder through nonempathic parenting styles.
Concluding with a resource appendix and an index, this densely informative volume shows us where science is actually being used to yield new understanding.
Contents
Part I: Introduction. From Kanner to the millennium: scientific advances that have shaped clinical practice. Part II: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Assessment. Contributions of the psychiatrist. Contributions of psychology. Contributions of pediatrics. Contributions of neurology. Part III: Treatment. Nonmedical interventions for autism spectrum disorders. Pharmacotherapy. Alternative theories: assessment and therapy options. Cultural issues in autism. Professional-parent collaboration: the M.I.N.D. Institute model. Afterword: some thoughts on the M.I.N.D. Institute model. Appendix: resources. Index.
Reviews
"This work provides a valuable overview of contemporary knowledge concerning autism. It would serve as an excellent primer for those assessing autistic youth, as well as for students. In highlighting recent advances in research and theory, the book gives strong emphasis to the benefits of early identification and aggressive treatment of autism. The authors are to be commended for their approach, which stresses collaboration between professions and the inclusion of parents in treatment."—Marc Sandrolini, M.D., Doody's Health Science Book Reviews, January 2004
"This volume makes a unique contribution to the extant literature on autism and intervention by providing a resource for the general practitioner to access accurate information about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their possible causes and treatments."—Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, October 2004
"This book provides a succinct and helpful summary of current knowledge, highlighting areas in which knowledge is readily available and areas in which it continues to be lacking. . . . [It] is an outstanding contribution that will be of interest to teachers, parents, and professionals."—Fred R. Volkmar, M.D., Psychiatric Services, November 2004
About the Authors
Sally Ozonoff, Ph.D. is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the M.I.N.D. Institute at University of California–Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. Sally J. Rogers, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the M.I.N.D. Institute at University of California–Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. Robert L. Hendren, D.O., is Executive Director of the M.I.N.D. Institute, and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the M.I.N.D. Institute at University of California–Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
Ordering Information
2003 · 296 pages · ISBN 9781585621194 · Paperback · $65.00 · Item #62119 Buy this title NOW!
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