Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders

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.

Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii About the Author xv 1. A Brief Look at the History of Autism 1 2. The Importance of the Autism Referral 5 3. How to Conduct the Evaluation 17 4. Information to Gather at the Outset of the Evaluation 33 5. Diagnostic Criteria for the Autism Spectrum Disorders 39 6. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Social Impairment 45 7. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Language Impairment 61 8. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Behavioral Concerns 79 9. Additional Questions to be Asked when Interviewing Teens 87 10. Additional Questions to be Asked when Interviewing Adults 97 11. Other Important Factors to Take into Consideration 105 12. Differential Diagnosis through the Lifespan 117 13. Feedback for the Patient and Family/Parents 143 Appendix A: Sample Copy of My Questionnaire 151 Appendix B: Sample Copies of Reports 157 References 179 Index 181