Textbook of Autism Spectrum Disorders

More than 40 years after the official recognition of infantile autism in
DSM-III, numerous questions remain about autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-its
possible causes, assessment, and most effective treatments.

This second
edition of the Textbook of Autism Spectrum Disorders features contributions from
dozens of experts as it reviews the latest research on these topics and more.

As ambitious in scope and exhaustive as the preceding edition, this guide
is organized by sections that tackle: Assessment and evaluation, including
recognizing the lower- and higher-order repetitive behaviors characteristic of
ASD, as well as its comorbidities. Chapters also discuss the roles that racial
and ethnic disparities, gender and sexual identities,and biomarkers and
technology-including smart home devices and augmented reality technology-can
play in assessment and evaluation. The possible causes of autism, from
prenatal, perinatal, and parental risk factors to syndromic causes of ASD,
updates on genetic testing, and the effect of environmental factors and immune
dysregulation. Standard and experimental treatments in autism. Chapters analyze
the role of pharmacotherapies such as serotonergic antidepressants, atypical
antipsychotics, and experimental therapeutics (e.g., oxytocin, vasopressin) as
well as the use of cannabis, cannabinoids, and immunomodulatory agents. The book
also examines behavioral treatments, interventions in schools, complementary and
integrative medicine approaches, stem cell and gene therapies, and more. Social
policy issues, including the role of patient advocacy groups in treatment
development and an examination of autism strengths and the growing emphasis on
recognizing neurodiversity.

Unrivaled in its thoroughness, the book
includes summary points in each chapter for ease of reference and lists of
recommended readings that offer readers the opportunity for further study and
exploration. For all those in the ASD continuum of care-psychiatrists,
psychologists, neurologists, social workers, speech therapists, educators, and
patient families-this is an essential resource.