Autism Spectrum Disorders From A To Z: Assessment, Diagnosis... & More

by Doyle, Barbara T.

• ISBN13: 9781932565072
• ISBN10: 1932565078
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-30
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

This extremely comprehensive book goes step-by-step through the symptoms, definitions, assessments, and diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The authors describe ASDs in terms of the parents, teachers, the school system, medical professionals, adult service providers, and private agencies involved. In addition to revealing what parents and professional can expect, this book also provides practical strategies to improve the assessment process and help the child or adult deal with the stress of the evaluations. Finally, they tackle the controversial issues surrounding the causes of ASD and available treatment options.

Author Biography

Barbara T. Doyle, M.S. is a Special Education professional with 32 years of experience in developmental disability services. Ms. Doyle is a consultant in private practice, who is well known for her practical and positive approaches to addressing the needs of children and adults with disabilities, specializing in ASD. An enthusiastic lecturer, teacher and trainer, Ms. Doyle travels extensively to bring her holistic, humane and effective approaches to others. Ms. Emily Doyle Iland, B.A. has avidly learned to help herself and her family understand Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). She now actively advocates for professionals, families and children, sharing her knowledge and experiences to support and inspire others. Emily is working on a variety of projects and is the California Representative of the University of Minnesota's Yes I Can Program for Social Inclusion.

Table of Contents

Dedication	iii
Disclaimer	v
Introduction	xiii
About the authors	xiii
Introduction from Emily	xiv
Introduction from Barbara	xvii
Purpose of the book	xxi
Terms used	xxii
Who this book is intended to help	xxiv
Who should read this book?	xxv
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)	1	(20)
The Diagnostic Process	2	(2)
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD): the Umbrella Category	4	(1)
PDD and ASD Overlap and Are Often Used Interchangeably	5	(1)
Discussion of the Term ``ASD''	5	(1)
Characteristics of ASD	5	(4)
Range of Effects	9	(2)
Table 1.1, The Range of Effects in ASD	10	(1)
Common Misperceptions About ASD	11	(1)
Implications of ASD	12	(2)
Learning Strengths and Areas of Difficulty of People with ASD	14	(4)
Chapter Summary	18	(3)
Considerations in the Diagnosis of ASD	21	(48)
Recognizing the Need to Get a Professional Opinion	22	(1)
Making the Connection with ASD	23	(1)
Difficulty and Differences Using Diagnostic Terms	24	(2)
Differential Diagnosis	26	(1)
Barriers to Accurate Diagnosis: Not Recognizing Autism	26	(3)
ASD, By Many Other Names	29	(2)
``Labels'' Within ASD	31	(2)
What Difference the Diagnosis Makes	33	(1)
Diagnostic Criteria, Explained	34	(1)
Autistic Disorder	34	(3)
Pervasive Developmental Disorder	37	(1)
Asperger Syndrome (AS)	38	(7)
AS and High Functioning Autism (HFA): Same or Different?	45	(2)
ASD and ADD Similarities	47	(2)
ASD and ADD Diferences	49	(1)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?	49	(3)
Questions to Ask	52	(2)
ADHD Criteria	54	(2)
ASD and Hyperlexia	56	(4)
ASD, Semantic Pragmatic Disorder and Nonverbal Learning Disorder	60	(1)
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cognitive Disabilities	60	(5)
Chapter Summary	65	(2)
Sources	67	(2)
Beginning the Process of Assessment and Diagnosis	69	(46)
Options in Diagnosis: Who Can Diagnose	72	(2)
The Role of the School System	74	(1)
The Role of the Parent	75	(1)
The Role of Adult Service Providers and Agencies	76	(1)
Options for Adults Referring Themselves for Diagnosis	77	(1)
Emotions and the Assessment Process	78	(2)
How Parents Can Help Professionals with the Diagnostic Process	80	(1)
Preparing a Written Personal History	81	(6)
Adults Piece the Puzzle Together	87	(2)
What to Include in the Developmental History	89	(10)
Matt's Story	94	(2)
Laura's Timeline	96	(1)
About Alex	97	(2)
The Role of Teachers	99	(13)
Chapter Summary	112	(2)
Sources	114	(1)
The Assessment Process	115	(30)
What is an Assessment?	116	(1)
The Purpose of Assessment	117	(1)
The Assessment Cycle	117	(1)
Components of a Comprehensive Assessment	117	(1)
The Assessment Team	118	(2)
Challenges in the Assessment Process for Professionals, Parents and Individuals	120	(5)
Individualizing Assessments	125	(4)
Parent and Professional Collaboration for Optimal Assessments	127	(2)
Practical Strategies to Improve the Assessment Process	129	(3)
Unusual, but Important Considerations	132	(1)
Home Visits to Help the Assessment Process	133	(2)
Helping the Child or Adult Cope with the Stress of Evaluations	135	(3)
Qualifications of Professionals Doing Assessments	138	(4)
Chapter Summary	142	(3)
Types of Assessments and What They Measure	145	(90)
Pinpointing Development	147	(1)
Methods to Measure Skills and Report Results	148	(8)
Reporting of Test Scores	154	(2)
Duplication that Should be Avoided	156	(1)
Areas of Assessment
Psychiatric or Neurological	156	(4)
Medical	160	(2)
Educational and Psycho-Educational	162	(12)
Speech and Language/Communication	174	(13)
Social Skills	187	(7)
Functional Behavioral Analysis	194	(7)
Occupational Therapy/Sensory Integration	201	(9)
Adaptive Physical Education	210	(3)
Audiology	213	(4)
Auditory Processing	217	(2)
Vision	219	(1)
Visual Processing	220	(2)
Assistive Technology	222	(7)
Chapter Summary	229	(2)
Sources	231	(4)
Differences in Opinion and Diagnosis	235	(18)
Why Disagreement Can Arise	236	(1)
Steps to Take if There is Disagreement	237	(3)
What to Do if a Different Diagnosis is Reached and You Don't Think it is Correct?	240	(3)
Changing Diagnosis for and Adult	243	(7)
Chapter Summary	250	(3)
Reacting to the Diagnosis	253	(32)
Parents Receive the News	254	(3)
Emotional Responses	257	(6)
Positive Reactions	263	(1)
What Parents and Staff Can Do	264	(10)
Getting a Diagnosis as an Adult	274	(3)
The Reactions of Teens to the Diagnosis	277	(2)
The Reactions of Children Learning of Their Diagnosis	279	(1)
The Reactions of Other Family Members	279	(1)
The Reactions of Teachers and Staff	280	(2)
Chapter Summary	282	(3)
Supporting the Family of a Person with ASD	285	(38)
Emotional Issues and Needs of the Family	286	(1)
Partner or Marriage Issues	286	(3)
Sibling Issues	289	(4)
Services and Supports to Help Families Cope	293	(13)
Support Groups	293	(8)
Respite	301	(2)
Supports Across Environments	303	(2)
Support Through the Lifespan	305	(1)
Practical Steps to Prepare for the Future, Starting Now	306	(3)
How Professionals and Staff Can Be Supportive	309	(5)
Training and Information for Parents and Staff	314	(1)
Staff and Parents Learning Together	314	(4)
Becoming Politically Proactive	318	(1)
Chapter Summary	319	(4)
Sharing Information About People with ASD	323	(54)
Confidentiality vs. Secrecy	326	(3)
Issues About Diagnostic Labels	329	(7)
Who Needs to Know About the Diagnosis?	336	(3)
Circle of Friends for Talking About ASD	338	(1)
How Do We Tell Them?	339	(13)
Letter to Classmates and Their Families	342	(3)
What I Would Like You to Know	345	(2)
A Letter From Angie	347	(1)
A Letter From Trevor	348	(4)
What About Resistance?	352	(1)
Telling the Child, Teen or Adult About ASD	353	(1)
Need for Awareness and Self-advocacy	354	(3)
The ``Chats:'' One Way to Talk to Children	357	(2)
Parent and Professional Collaboration	359	(5)
Two Ways to Explain to Typical Peers or Siblings	364	(7)
Chapter Summary	371	(6)
Cause and Cure	377	(56)
Theories About the Cause of ASD	378	(3)
Challenges to Researchers	381	(3)
Occurrence of Autism: Is Autism on the Rise?	384	(2)
The Medical Model	386	(2)
The Genetic Component	388	(5)
Neurology: Understanding the Brain and Central Nervous System	393	(6)
Autism: Components of Cause	394	(1)
Biochemistry of the Brain	394	(1)
Anatomy of the Brain	395	(4)
Problems During Pregnancy and Birth	399	(3)
Epidemiology	402	(1)
Biomedical Theories of Cause	402	(1)
Why a Theory of Cause May Cause Controversy	403	(13)
Autoimmunity	405	(1)
Viruses	406	(1)
Mumps, Measles and Rubella Vaccine	407	(3)
Heavy Metals, Including Mercury	410	(2)
Diet, Nutrition and Digestion	412	(4)
Is There a Cure?	416	(1)
Evaluating Cures and Treatments: 12 Questions to Ask	417	(1)
Cooperative Empowerment: Doing What Can Be Done Now	418	(2)
Chapter Summary	420	(2)
Sources	422	(11)
Endnotes	433