Based on a solid historical foundation of autism theory and research, this inclusive handbook integrates coverage of the broader scholarly literature with a trenchant analysis of the state of the field in nosology, etiology, assessment, and treatment.

Since the early 1940s, when first identified as childhood psychosis and autistic psychopathy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has continued to burgeon into a major focus of inquiry and interest among researchers, practitioners, and the public alike. With each passing decade, the number of scholarly articles addressing ASD and related disabilities continues to soar. Today, thousands of papers on autism are published annually across various disciplines and journals, making it challenging – if not impossible – to keep pace with, let alone synthesize, all the latest developments.

Based on a solid historical foundation of autism theory and research, the International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders integrates the broad scholarly base of literature with a trenchant analysis of the state of the field in nosology, etiology, assessment, and treatment. Its expert contributors examine recent findings and controversies (e.g., how prevalent autism actually is), along with longstanding topics of interest as well as emerging issues.

Coverage includes:

• A survey of diagnostic criteria and assessment strategies.
• Genetic, behavioral, biopsychosocial, and cognitive models.
• Psychiatric disorders in persons with ASD.
• Theory of mind and facial recognition.
• Diagnostic instruments for assessing core features and challenging behaviors.
• Evidence-based psychosocial, pharmacological, and integrative treatments.
• Interventions specifically for adults with ASD.
• Training issues for professionals and parents.
• A review of findings of successful and promising therapies, coupled with guidance on how to distinguish between dubious and effectivetreatments.

The International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders is an indispensable resource for researchers, professors, graduate students, and allied practitioners in clinical child and school psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, education, social work, rehabilitation, pediatric medicine, and developmental psychology.

Section 1: Overview.- History and Evolution of the Autism Spectrum Disorders; J.K. Irwin, J. MacSween, K.A. Kerns.- Diagnostic Systems; C.L. Gillberg.- Prevalence and the Controversy; C.A. Campbell, S. Davarya, M. Elsabbagh, L. Madden, E. Fombonne.- Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability; L. Lecavalier, A.V. Snow, M. Norris.- Psychiatric Disorders in People with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Phenomenology and Recognition; S.B. Helverschou, T.L. Bakken, H. Martinsen.-  Section 2: Nosology and Etiology.- The Genetics of Autism; D.K. Sokol, D.K. Lahiri.- Behavioral, Biopsychosocial, and Cognitive Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders; S.E. Lind and D.M. Williams.- Nosology and Theories of Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors and Interests; E. Gal.- Emotional Cognition: Theory of Mind and Face Recognition; N. Nader-Grosbois, J.M. Day.- Developmental Issues and Milestones; A. Thurm, S. Bishop, S. Shumway.- Sensory Processing and Motor Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders; C.L. Hilton.- Section 3: Assessment.- Early Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders; D.R. Dixon, D. Granpeesheh, J. Tarbox, M.N. Smith.- Diagnostic Instruments for the Core Features of ASD; J.A. Worley, J.L. Matson.- Assessment of Rituals and Stereotypy; O. Healy, G. Leader.- Assessing Challenging Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prevalence, Rating Scales and Autonomic Indicators; I.L. Cohen, J.H. Yoo, M.S. Goodwin, L. Moskowitz.- Functional Behavioral Assessment and Analysis; J. Ward-Horner, L.J. Seiverling, P. Sturmey.- Assessment of Co-morbid Psychopathology; L. Underwood, J. McCarthy, E. Tsakanikos.- Identifying Moderators of Treatment Outcome for Children with Autism; L. Schreibman, S. Dufek, A.B. Cunnigham.- Identifying Fad Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Promoting Effective Treatment; J.E. Tuzikow, S. Holburn.- Intensive Early Intervention; S. Eikeseth.- Teaching Adaptive and Social Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders; K. Thomson, K. Walters,G.L. Martin, C. T. Yu.- Functional Skill Replacement Training; N. Naoi.- Verbal Behavior and Communication Training; T.S. Higbee, T.P. Sellers.- Training Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder to Comply with Health Care Procedures: Theory and Research; A.J. Cuvo.- Physically Active Living for Individuals with ASD: Intervention Strategies to Promote the Acquisition of Movement Skills; K.L. Staples, G. Reid, K. Pushkarenko, S. Crawford.- Aggression, Tantrums, and Other Externally Driven Challenging Behaviors; N.N. Singh, G.E. Lancioni, A. S.W. Winton, J. Singh.- Self-Injurious Behavior: I. Overview and Behavioral Interventions; F. Furniss, A.B. Biswas, B. Bezilla, A. Jones.- Self-Injurious Behavior: II. Pharmacological and Integrated Treatments; F. Furniss, A.B. Biswas, B. Bezilla, A. Jones.- Autism Spectrum Disorders: Comorbid Psychopathology and Treatment; S. Mohiuddin, S. Bobak, D. Gih, M. Ghaziuddin.- Rituals, Stereotypies, and Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior; J.E. Ringdahl.- Interventions to Treat Feeding Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comprehensive Review; L. Seiverling, K. Williams, J. Ward-Horner, P. Sturmey.- Training Staff and Parents: Evidence-Based Approaches; D.H. Reid, W.H. Fitch.- Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders; S. Mahan, A.M. Kozlowski.

Interest in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has seen an amazing growth among researchers, the government, and the popular press, particularly during the past decade. It is undoubtedly the most studied and talked about topic in developmental disabilities, if not the entire field of mental health. Many states have now included services for ASD in their state health insurance benefits. In addition, popular trade books on ASD have appeared with increasing regularity on The New York Times bestseller list. The increase in popular interest has also provided support for a dramatic uptick in research funding and publications as well as expanded clinical services. For these and other reasons, publishing in the field of ASD has proliferated at a rapid pace, with more than 19,000 articles published on the topic in roughly the past decade.

This handbook – with its increased coverage of psychosocial methods – complements already-published works and also fills an information gap in the market. Areas of coverage include perception and cognition, nosology, neuropsychology, social skills, diagnosis, developmental course, comorbid psychopathology, scale development, challenging behaviors, and theory of mind. This volume is important and timely – a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and allied professionals.