Autism: The FactsCoping with a diagnosis of autism can be a troubling and confusing experience for parents. Ignorance of this bewildering disorder can provoke difficult decision-making for parents and physicians alike. What causes autism? What happens to children with autism when they grow up? Does autism run in families? What kind of educational setting is best? In this accessible, comprehensive book, the authors have discovered the questions on the minds of parents and professionals, and have attempted to answer them. Autism is a puzzling disorder. It begins in early childhood, and disrupts many aspects of development, leaving the child unable to form social relationships or communicate in the usual way. This fascinating book explains in a clear, straightforward manner what is known about the condition. Helpful appendices identify organizations and resource providers concerned with autism. Written first and foremost as a guide for parents, but required reading for interested professionals, it covers the recognition and diagnosis of autism, its biological and physiological causes, and the various treatments and educational techniques available. |
Contents
Introducing two children with autism | 1 |
How the diagnosis is made | 2 |
Coping with the news | 3 |
What causes autism? | 10 |
The brain | 35 |
Psychological problems | 43 |
Intelligence and special talents | 52 |
Education what can be done? | 60 |
International societies and associations for children and adults with autism | 83 |
Two systems used by psychiatrists for diagnosing autism | 94 |
Some examples of behaviour therapy for specific problems | 98 |
Recommended further reading | 103 |
Glossary | 104 |
109 | |
111 | |
112 | |
Common terms and phrases
activities adolescents adults with autism areas assessment Autistic Children behaviour programme behaviour therapy biological birth brain damage cause autism cause of autism Chapter child with autism children with autism clinic communication Congenital anomaly syndromes develop autism developmental diagnosis of autism difficulties disability discussed disorder Donald Cohen drawing drug echolalia educational Elective mutism emotions epilepsy evidence example eye-contact facial factors FACTS second edition feel Fenfluramine Fragile X syndrome head-banging interest involves islets of ability John lack learning Leo Kanner look Lucy Lucy's medical conditions mental handicap National Autistic Society normal children obsessional occur parents people's thoughts person with autism Phenylketonuria play pregnancy problems psychological psychologist psychotherapy range relationship repetitive result Rett's syndrome rubella scans school for autism self-injury Simon Baron-Cohen simply social skills sometimes specialist speech Stephen Wiltshire tantrums theory of autism things treatment tuberous sclerosis twins understanding unusual words