Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders The past decade has seen a tremendous increase in the number of people being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and not just young children. Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective is the first volume of its kind to provide authoritative information for professionals on how to appropriately evaluate and diagnose these disorders in individuals of all ages. Donald P. Gallo, a board-certified clinical psychologist, shares his professional insights and expertise garnered from more than 1,500 autism evaluations over the past ten years. The book includes in-depth interviewing strategies that focus on the three primary areas of impairment socialization, communication, and behavior to determine if an individual has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Differential diagnostic considerations are also addressed, and numerous case examples provide further clarity. Ways to present the assessment findings to parents and patients that will help them accept the diagnosis are also included. The information is targeted specifically for a wide range of practitioners, including child psychologists, child psychiatrists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, and students in those disciplines. Authoritative and timely, Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective provides medical and mental health professionals everywhere with an invaluable resource for the proper diagnoses and assessment of an exceedingly complex disorder which affects people of all ages.

Diagnosing Autism Spectrum DisordersThe past decade has seen a tremendous increase in the number of people being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders - and not just young children. Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective is the first volume of its kind to provide authoritative information for professionals on how to appropriately evaluate and diagnose these disorders in individuals of all ages.Donald P. Gallo, a board-certified clinical psychologist, shares his professional insights and expertise garnered from more than 1,500 autism evaluations over the past ten years. The book includes in-depth interviewing strategies that focus on the three primary areas of impairment - socialization, communication, and behavior - to determine if an individual has an Autism Spectrum Disorder.Differential diagnostic considerations are also addressed, and numerous case examples provide further clarity. Ways to present the assessment findings to parents and patients that will help them accept the diagnosis are also included. The information is targeted specifically for a wide range of practitioners, including child psychologists, child psychiatrists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, and students in those disciplines.Authoritative and timely, Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective provides medical and mental health professionals everywhere with an invaluable resource for the proper diagnoses and assessment of an exceedingly complex disorder which affects people of all ages.

Preface ixAcknowledgments xiiiAbout the Author xv1. A Brief Look at the History of Autism 12. The Importance of the Autism Referral 53. How to Conduct the Evaluation 174. Information to Gather at the Outset of the Evaluation 335. Diagnostic Criteria for the Autism Spectrum Disorders 396. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Social Impairment 457. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Language Impairment 618. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Behavioral Concerns 799. Additional Questions to be Asked when Interviewing Teens 8710. Additional Questions to be Asked when Interviewing Adults 9711. Other Important Factors to Take into Consideration 10512. Differential Diagnosis through the Lifespan 11713. Feedback for the Patient and Family/Parents 143Appendix A: Sample Copy of My Questionnaire 151Appendix B: Sample Copies of Reports 157References 179Index 181