Sam Goldstein, Jack A. Naglieri, and Sally Ozonoff: Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Guilford Press, New York, 2008

Excerpt

The prevalence rate for autism is currently 60 per 10,000 for autism and greater for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The editors of this book use the diagnostic criteria for autism based on the DSM-IV-TR to categorize children with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, these children are recognized by impairments in nonverbal behaviors and communication and repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviors of interests and activities. Moreover, the editors contend that the assessment of ASD is complex, necessitating a knowledge and understanding of diagnostic criteria, assessment tools, and comorbid problems. Furthermore, ASD can be conceptualized as a biologically determined set of behaviors that presents with a multiplicity of severity resulting from variable causes. Children with ASD experience a wide continuum of developmental disabilities including communication, socialization, cognitive, social/leisure, and motor skills. This descriptive overview of ASD is well illustrated in the case studies of Susan, Joey, and John. To the editors’ credit, case studies of children with ASD are used to translate research based practices to practice based evidence for the average layperson. …