Autism

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Prologue

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 1-1

3. Historical Background

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 3-18

4. Definition of the Syndrome

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 19-44

5. Current Biological Theories of Causation

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 45-63

6. Language and Cognition

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 65-76

7. Intervention Approaches

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 77-91

8. Controversial Treatment Issues

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 93-104

9. Epilogue

   • Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams, Laura G. Klinger

   Pages 105-105

10. Back Matter

    Pages 107-124

    PDF

This volume is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of autism for the many educated and thoughtful parents, professionals, and other concerned citizens with an interest in these important issues. It has grown out of our assumption that there are many people interested in our field who want the most up-to-date information available without having to locate and read through the growing literature in this area. From our university bases, we are fortunate in having access to state-of-the-art information about autism and related develop­ mental disorders. Our goal in this volume is to synthesize this information and present it comprehensively and objectively. This volume is the culmination of 2 years of hard work identifying, organizing, writing, rewriting, and editing the most up-to-date information available about people with autism, their families, and the state-of-the-art about the nature, causes, underlying mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of autism. We hope it will help the many friends, colleagues, families, and interested citizens who have expressed their interest in a publication of this kind. v Acknowledgments A project ofthis scope could not have been completed without the help of many fine friends and colleagues, too numerous to name. As with all of our professional activities we are indebted to our TEACCH colleagues and the many families and professionals we know in North Carolina, around the United States, and throughout the world for their interest, support, insights, and generosity in sharing their ideas and observations. We hope that our final product reflects their many superb contributions.

• autism
• cognition
• diagnosis
• intervention
• language
• treatment

"This is a well written and comprehensively referenced guide to autism, produced by practitioners from TEACCH, a forerunner in research and treatment for individuals with this condition. Although a relatively short volume, the authors manage to cover, clearly and concisely, many different issues. ... although running to around 100 pages of text, the book provides an invaluable guide for parents or professionals keen to update themselves on the diagnosis, treatment and causes of autism. It should also prove a very useful introduction for students and others ..."
(Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities)

• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA

  Gary B. Mesibov, Lynn W. Adams

• University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA

  Laura G. Klinger

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