Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Research Review for Practitioners / Edition 1

by Sally J. Rogers, Robert L. Hendren

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781585621194
Publisher:	American Psychiatric Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/22/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

ContributorsAcknowledgmentsForewordPart I: IntroductionChapter 1. From Kanner to the Millennium: Scientific Advances That Have Shaped Clinical PracticePart II: Interdisciplinary Approaches to AssessmentChapter 2. Contributions of the PsychiatristChapter 3. Contributions of PsychologyChapter 4. Contributions of PediatricsChapter 5. Contributions of NeurologyPart III: TreatmentChapter 6. Nonmedical Interventions for Autism Spectrum DisordersChapter 7. PharmacotherapyChapter 8. Alternative Theories: Assessment and Therapy OptionsChapter 9. Cultural Issues in AutismChapter 10. Professional--Parent Collaboration: The M.I.N.D. Institute ModelAppendix: ResourcesIndex

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Marc Sandrolini, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book is a compendium of current assessment and treatment literature for autistic spectrum disorders.
Purpose: The book has been "written to help the nonspecialist provide state-of-the-art care for autism patients."
Audience: It is aimed at medical and mental health professionals who encounter autistic children in various settings. The language of the book is clear and concise, and should be accessible to those outside the medical and psychology professions. However, knowledge of DSM-IV diagnoses and medical terminology will assist in comprehension. The contributing authors appear well qualified and passionate about this subject. With the exception of Peter Jensen, the contributors are all from the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute of University of California-Davis.
Features: The book starts with a brief history and overview of autism, but is composed largely of sections on assessment and treatment. The assessment section emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, with contributions from a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a pediatrician, and a neurologist. The treatment section describes current behavioral and educational interventions. There is a separate chapter on psychopharmacology. The final portion of the book has useful chapters on alternative theories, cultural issues, and professional-parent collaboration. There is an excellent appendix on parent resources.
Assessment: 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. By design, the book is limited in depth, essentially offering summaries of current literature. However, each chapter is amply referenced, which will make searching for more comprehensive material a simple matter.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody