Differential Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder

"Although cases of autism can, in retrospect, be identified before Kanner's 1943 classic report (also see Donvan and Zucker 2016), it was Kanner's genius to put together the core features that we continue to associate with autism; autistic aloneness and restricted interests/difficulties with change. This description was straightforward and atheoretical and has stood the test of time even as we debate the boundaries of autism today. The early years following Kanner's initial presentation were plagued by a lack of consistency in diagnosis and several mistaken beliefs about autism, e.g., associations with childhood schizophrenia and inappropriate parenting. This changed dramatically in the 1970s as three lines of evidence helped establish the validity of autism as a diagnostic concept: These included: 1) the awareness that autism was a brain-based disorder associated with high rates of epilepsy with peaks of onset in early childhood and adolescence, 2) the first twin studies of autism made it clear that there was a very strong genetic component of autism with high concordance in MZ twins, and 3) children with autism responded best to structured teaching rather than unstructured psychotherapy (see Jackson and Volkmar, 2019 for a discussion)"--

This volume provides a quick yet comprehensive overview of clinically-relevant topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for the medical or mental health student, trainee, or recent graduate who seeks efficient learning. Aspects of diagnosis, etiology, treatment and care delivery systems are covered by leading experts. Clinical vignettes, highlighted key points, and illustrative photos, figures and tables are used to enhance the learning experience for the reader.

Containing concise but detailed summaries on a comprehensive range of clinical scenarios and conditions likely to be encountered by trainees, paediatricians, therapists, nurses, and allied professionals in their day-to-day practice, Community Paediatrics is the ideal companion for anyone working with children in the community. The handbook is organized according to the different sub-specialities of community paediatrics, such as child development, neurodevelopmental disorders, and child protection, and incorporates the latest recommendations from current practice, consensus statements, and good practice guidelines. Written by a vast range of contributors from various disciplines who are local, regional, national or international experts in their field, it also contains sections on support organizations, sources of further information/reading, and useful appendices, such as developmental milestones, growth, and BMI centile charts. If you are a health professional working or aspiring to work in the community, then this practical, easy-to-carry, quick-reference handbook is a 'must-have' title, enabling the reader to deliver the highest quality holistic child-centred care.

Autism spectrum disorder has received increasing research in recent years, with more information on assessment and treatment than can be readily assimilated from primary literature by clinicians. Clinical Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders summarizes evidence-based assessments and intervention for Autism across the life-span, providing clinicians with a practical overview of how best to assess and treat this disorder. The book begins with a discussion of what warrants a determination of being "evidence based" and a description of the disorder from a life span perspective. The book also provides a chapter on differential diagnosis of autism relative to other disorders. What follows are separate sections on assessment and intervention. These chapters discuss first how to assess and then separately how to treat behavioral problems, communication and social skills issues, academic and vocational skills, and the use of pharmacology and an assessment of possible pharmacological effects. Intended for practitioners assessing and treating children with developmental delays, the book provides clinicians with best practices for assessing and treating delays associated with autism. Covers the full range of Autism Spectrum Disorders Covers the lifespan Focuses on evidence-based assessment and treatment

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects one person in 40 and can cause great suffering. This volume provides the first comprehensive summary of our understanding of this enigmatic condition, summarizing current work ranging from genetics and neurobiology through cognitive psychology, treatment, personal experiences, and societal implications

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders develop differently. These differences are usually present in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing, and become visible through a wide variety of behavioral responses that differ from individuals without autism spectrum disorders. Despite significant research efforts, the exact causes of autism spectrum disorders remain poorly understood; however, researchers have gained extensive insights into possible pathomechanisms, even at the molecular level of cells. Many diagnostic criteria have been developed, adapted, and improved. The eight chapters in this book highlight the current state-of-the-art in many areas of autism spectrum disorders. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders and the current knowledge of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Chapter 2 summarizes the diagnostic criteria and procedures and highlights present and upcoming therapeutic strategies. Chapter 3 reviews the adverse events and trauma in people with autism spectrum disorders. Chapters 4 and 5 focus on atypical sensory processing, and Chapter 6 discusses the genetic overlap of autism spectrum disorders with other neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and schizophrenia. Chapter 7 focuses on the contribution of abnormalities in mitochondria, and chapter 8 discusses gut-brain interactions and a potential role for microbiota in autism spectrum disorders. This book is aimed primarily at clinicians and scientists, but many areas will also be of interest to the layperson.

Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective is the first book of its kind to provide authoritative information for medical and mental health professionals on how to properly evaluate and diagnose autism spectrum disorders in individuals of all ages. The first book of its kind which demonstrates how to conduct an appropriate diagnostic interview to assess a child for an Autism Spectrum Disorder Considers the issues of Autism Spectrum Disorders in children, teenagers, and adults Aimed at both medical and mental health professionals Includes an in-depth treatment of the entire diagnostic process

Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is the first in a series aimed at addressing the rapidly expanding field of assessment and treatment of children with mental health issues and/or development disabilities. Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is aimed at the researcher of practitioner who works with those young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to covering major research developments in differential diagnosis and early intervention, the author's provide a critical review and analysis of core concept that define this area. The first chapter of the book reviews the development of definitions of autism along with early methods for diagnosing this area of developmental disabilities. Chapter two covers some of the most discussed theories of etiology along with a review of prevalence and the author's opinions on why the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has increased markedly in recent years. A chapter on the most commonly used assessment methods and a critique of the psychometric properties of each is followed by three chapters on treatment. We have broken the treatment chapters down based on type of intervention. The first treatment chapter covers specific target behaviors or small sets of behaviors. A second chapter covers training for the packaged comprehensive treatment models with particular emphasis on the TEACCH, UCLA-YAP and the University of California Santa Barbara Autism Research and Training Program. Each of these programs gives a unique perspective on treatment for these young children. The final treatment chapter covers the recent developments in pharmacotherapy for autism spectrum disorder, with a critical analysis and review of the data. We hope the overview presented proves to be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field. We present one perspective on this exciting and innovative area of research and treatment. Hopefully, it will serve as one useful source to those who wish to provide the most up to date evidence based intervention to these young developmentally challenged children. The first of a new series that is intended to expand knowledge of the assessment and treatment of children with developmental disabilities and/or mental health issues Provides definitions, addresses diagnosis, intervention, and treatments Of particular importance to researchers and practitioners who work with children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder