Featuring contributions from leading authorities in the clinical and social sciences, this thoroughly revised and updated new edition reflects the most recent progress in the understanding of autism and related conditions, and offers an international perspective on the present state of the discipline. Chapters cover current approaches to definition and diagnosis; prevalence and planning for service delivery; cognitive, genetic, and neurobiological features; and pathophysiological mechanisms. There is a new chapter covering communication issues. Interventions reviewed include the pharmacological, behavioral, and educational, and a thoughtful final chapter addresses the nature of the fundamental social disturbance that characterizes autism.

‘An essential book for professionals, it offers hope for further understanding and treatment of this complex syndrome and sheds light on how all human beings develop.’

Source: American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

‘… psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and educators will find this volume both an interesting read and a most useful source of reference.’

Source: APA Review of Books

‘… the reader is likely to find a wealth of information, comprehensive reviews of specific areas with the field of autism research and analysis of the current issues. It provides resource to which the reader can refer again and again.’

Source: The Canadian Child Psychiatry Review

‘ … provides an up-to-date overview of the condition, which is both detailed in its coverage and broad in its scope.’

Source: Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology

‘This is a useful summary of the current state of research into autistic disorders and highlights the questions that still have to be answered.’

Source: European Child & Adolescent Journal

'This is an up-to-date, comprehensive review of autism and related developmental disorders such as Asperger's Syndrome. There is an excellent overview of diagnosis and definition …'

Source: Readings

'… well organized … Perhaps most impressive is the balance of the book … this volume will serve as a useful reference for professionals and family members involved with autistic or developmentally disordered individuals. It represents a straightforward, scholarly approach to presenting current understandings … this volume will make an important contribution to the field.'

Source: Doody's

'… this relatively brief and concise volume contains a wealth of information, essentially summarising the literature from the 1960s through 2005, in a densely packed but readable format. It will be a valuable addition for physicians, researchers and other professionals in the field of autism and pervasive developmental disorders.'

Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology