Preface

xv

PART I

OVERVIEW OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)

Chapter 1

What Are ASD and Autistic Disorder?

3

Chapter 2

Asperger Syndrome (High-Functioning Autism)

9

Chapter 3

Rett Syndrome

13

Chapter 4

Childhood Disintegrate Disorder

17

Chapter 5

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS)

21

Chapter 6

Statistics on ASD in the United States

25

Section 6.1

ASD Prevalence is Increasing

26

Section 6.2

Risk Factors and Economic Costs of ASD

28

Section 6.3

Diagnoses of ASD Made at Earlier Ages

30

PART II

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Chapter 7

Brain Dysfunction in ASD

35

Section 7.1

Mirror Neuron System and Autism

36

Section 7.2

Environment and the Developing Brain

43

Section 7.3

People with Autism have trouble with the Distinction between Self and Others

45

Section 7.4

Autism Is Not a Fundamental Problem of Attention

49

Section 7.5

Brain Proteins with Links to Nicotine Addiction and Autism

52

Chapter 8

Genetics Impact ASD

55

Section 8.1

Genes Involved with Autism

56

Section 8.2

Spontaneous Gene Mutations May Boost ASD Risk

59

Section 8.3

Risk of Autism Tied to Genes That Influence Brain Cell Connections

60

Section 8.4

Silenced Gene for Social Behavior Found in Autism

62

Section 8.5

Gene Linked to Autism and Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders

63

Section 8.6

Facial Recognition Is a Distinct Genetic Skill

64

Section 8.7

Possible Genetic Overlap between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism

68

Chapter 9

Diseases, Vaccines, and ASD

73

Section 9.1

Can Diseases and Vaccines Cause ASD?

74

Section 9.2

Vaccines Are Not Associated with ASD

82

Section 9.3

Autism, Asthma, Inflammation, and the Hygiene Hypothesis

83

Section 9.4

Autism and Fragile X Syndrome Feature Immune Signatures

90

Chapter 10

Premature Birth and Autism

95

Chapter 11

Early Development Risk Factors for ASD

101

PART III

IDENTIFYING AND DIAGNOSING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Chapter 12

Symptoms of ASD

105

Section 12.1

Range of Symptoms

106

Section 12.2

Autism Symptoms Emerge in Infancy

110

Section 12.3

Eye Response to Light a Possible Autism Biomarker

114

Section 12.4

Sensory Sensitivity and ASD

117

Section 12.5

Regression in Autism

119

Section 12.6

Challenging Behaviors

125

Chapter 13

Developmental Screening

129

Section 13.1

Developmental Milestones

130

Section 13.2

Recommendations for Routine Health Care Developmental Screening

134

Section 13.3

Screening Tools for Early Identification of Children withASD

136

Section 13.4

Audiological Screening

139

Chapter 14

Getting Help for Developmental Delay

141

Section 14.1

If You Are Concerned, Act Early

142

Section 14.2

Discussing Concerns Parent to Parent

143

Section 31.2

ABA Therapy at a Younger Age Leads to Faster Learning

345

Section 31.3

Verbal Behavior Therapy

347

Section 31.4

Pivotal Response Treatment

348

Section 31.5

Virtual Games Teach Skills to Students with ASD

350

Chapter 32

Communication Therapies for ASD

355

Section 32.1

What a Speech Pathologist Does

356

Section 32.2

Speech and Language Therapy: A Key Intervention for Persons with ASD

360

Section 32.3

Language Instruction for Children with Autism: Learning Words

366

Section 32.4

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

371

Chapter 33

ASD Medications

373

Section 33.1

Parent Training Complements Medication for Treating Behavioral Problems in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

374

Section 33.2

Citalopram No Better Than Placebo Treatment for Children with ASD

375

Section 33.3

Bonding Hormone Might help Some with Autism

377

Chapter 34

Treatments for Biological and Medical Conditions Associated with ASD

379

Chapter 35

Research Studies and ASD

385

Section 35.1

Participating in ASD Research Studies

386

Section 35.2

Why Some Research Studies Are Flawed

389

PART VI

EDUCATION AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Chapter 36

A Child’s Rights to Public Education

395

Chapter 37

Understanding the Special Education Process

399

Section 37.1

Special Education Overview for Parents

400

Section 37.2

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

403

Section 37.3

Including Children with ASD in Regular Classrooms

408

Section 37.4

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Summary

412

Chapter 38

Tips for Teaching Students with ASD

421

Section 38.1

Instructional Approaches to Teaching Students with ASD

422

Section 38.2

Teaching High-Functioning Students with ASD

426

Chapter 39

Managing Challenging ASD Behavior

433

Section 39.1

What to Do when Positive Reinforcement is Not Working

434

Section 39.2

Practical Strategies for Responding to Challenging Behaviors

436

Chapter 40

Social Interaction Education for Students with ASD

443

Section 40.1

Understanding Special Interests and Social Interactions of Children with ASD

444

Section 40.2

Outcomes of School-Based Social Skill Interventions for Children on the Autism Spectrum

458

Section 40.3

Computer-Based Training May Improve Social Interactions

462

Chapter 41

Teaching Lifetime Goals to Children and Adults with ASD

463

Chapter 42

Secondary School Experiences of Students with ASD

471

Chapter 43

Preparing for Postsecondary Education

473

PART VII

LIVING WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND TRANSITIONING TO ADULTHOOD

Chapter 44

Safety in the Home

479

Chapter 45

Ensuring Support at Home

489

Section 45.1

Family Support Models

490

Section 45.2

Grandparents Play Key Role in Lives of Children with ASD

493

Chapter 46

Depression, Parenting, and ASD

497

Chapter 47

Toilet Training Children with ASD

505

Chapter 48

Transition to Adulthood for Individuals with ASD

513

Section 48.1

Transition Plan

514

Section 48.2

Life Skills

527

Section 48.3

Legal and Financial Planning and Assistance

534

Section 48.4

Transition Models for Youth with Mental Health Needs

540

Chapter 49

Finding Appropriate and Affordable Housing

543

Chapter 50

Adult Autism and Employment

549

Section 50.1

Choosing Vocation and Employment

550

Section 50.2

Career Planning Issues

557

Section 50.3

Possible Job Accommodations

562

PART VIII

ADDITIONAL HELP AND INFORMATION

Chapter 51

Glossary of ASD Terms and Acronyms

569

Chapter 52

Directory of Additional ASD Resources

575

Index

585