"Autism" by Toney Allman

This issue provides clear, careful, explanations that offer readers and researchers insight into what these conditions are, what causes them, how people live with them, and the latest information about treatment and prevention. The volume includes primary and secondary quotations, annotated bibliographies, detailed indexes, and lists of organizations to contact for additional information.

The ailments and conditions that afflict people today can be confusing, disturbing, and painful-both emotionally and physically.

Table of Contents
Foreword - "The Most Difficult Puzzles Ever Devised"
Introduction - Mysterious Autism
1. Faces of Autism
Autism Is a Developmental Disorder
Social Problems
Communication
Repetitive Behavior and Narrow Interests
Sensory Problems
Additional Problems in Autism
Each One Different
2. Diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum
The Diagnostic Manual
Autistic Disorder
Rett's Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Asperger's Disorder
PDD-NOS
Diagnosing ASD
Listening to the Parents
Assessing the Likelihood of Autism
A The Importance of Correct Diagnosis
3. What Causes ASDs?
This Is Your Brain on Autism
White Matter Misconnections
Brain Functions
Mapping Brains
Different Wiring, Different Thinking
Fear Connections
Faulty Social Brains
Genes and Brain Development
A The Environment and Brain Development
Both Genes and Environment Matter
4. Treatments and Therapies
Early Treatment, but What Kind?
Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA and Jake
Rewired and Speaking
DIR/Floortime
Climbing the Developmental Ladder in Baby Steps
Joining the Real World
Alternative Treatments: Healing Sickness
Too Many Success Stories to Ignore
5. Living with an ASD
A The Nonsensical, Terrifying World
A Creative, Unique Solution
Coping Tricks Are Good
The Daily Struggle
When "Normal" Is Not an Option
Beloved Brother
Toward a Better Autistic Life
6. The Search for a Cure
Autism Speaks
A The M.I.N.D. Institute Searches for Causes
Attacked Before Birth?
Baby Behavior for Diagnosis
Medicines for Treating Autism
Toward Evidence of What Works
Rejecting All Cures
Who Is Right?
Notes
Glossary
Organizations to Contact
For Further Reading
Index
Picture Credits
About the Author