Autism Spectrum Disorder in the First Years of Life

Katarzyna Chawarska, PhD, is Emily Fraser Beede Professor of Child Psychiatry in the Child Study Center at Yale University School of Medicine. She is Director of the Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism Program and the Infant and Toddler Developmental Disabilities Clinic. Dr. Chawarska is a leading expert on identifying early prognostic markers and novel treatment targets in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her recent work focuses on improving understanding of attentional and affective processes involved in development of core and comorbid features in ASD, as well as investigating the links between development of brain connectivity during prenatal and early neonatal periods and later outcomes in infants at risk for ASD.Fred R. Volkmar, MD, is Goodwin Endowed Chair of Special Education (part time) at Southern Connecticut State University and Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology (part time) in the Child Study Center at Yale University School of Medicine. He has served as Director of the Child Study Center as well as Chief of Child Psychiatry at Yale–New Haven Hospital. Dr. Volkmar was the primary author of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-IV autism and pervasive developmental disorders section. He has published several hundred scientific papers and chapters as well as a number of books. He serves as Editor of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

• Introduction, Katarzyna Chawarska & Fred R. Volkmar1. The Evolution of Autism as a Diagnostic Concept, Fred R. Volkmar & Roald A. Øien2. Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Delays in Infants and Toddlers, Emily Campi, Catherine Lord, & Rebecca Grzadzinski3. Psychological Development of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Suzanne L. Macari, Kelly K. Powell, Megan Lyons, Celine A. Saulnier, Angelina Vernetti, & Katarzyna Chawarska4. Early Interventions for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Maria Pizzano & Connie Kasari5. Development of Infant Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Katarzyna Chawarska, Suzanne L. Macari, Angelina Vernetti, & LudivineBrunissen6. Brain and Behavioral Development in High-Risk Infants: Considering the Role of Sensorimotor, Attentional, and Reward Networks, Robin Sifre, Joseph Piven, & Jed T. Elison7. Long-Term Outcomes of Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Meghan Miller & Sally Ozonoff8. Intervention during the Prodromal Stages of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jonathan Green9. Providing Medical Care to Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fred R. Volkmar, Roald A. Øien, & Lisa Wiesner10. Advancing Technology to Meet the Needs of Infants and Toddlers at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Frederick Shic, Kelsey Jackson Dommer, Adham Atyabi, Marilena Mademtzi, Roald A. Øien, Julie A. Kientz, & Jessica Bradshaw11. Potential Challenges of Importing Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Diagnostic Tools from High-Income Countries to Resource-Poor Settings, Amina Abubakar, Kavita Ruparelia, Joseph K. Gona, Kenneth Rimba, Rachel Mapenzi, Petrus J. de Vries, Fons J. R. van de Vijver, Andy Shih, & Charles R. NewtonIndex

"An impressive, comprehensive resource on autism during infancy and toddlerhood. The contributors provide an up-to-date overview of research on screening, symptoms, and treatment. This book will be valuable to both clinicians and researchers interested in the earliest manifestations of ASD and how to improve children’s outcomes."--Geraldine Dawson, PhD, William Cleland Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Director, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences; and Director, Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke University School of Medicine"Finally, everything you need in one place! This is a scientifically rigorous yet remarkably accessible analysis of what we have learned and what we still need to understand about autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment in infants and young children. Clinicians who are eager to translate research into high-quality care--and the children and families they serve--will benefit from this important work."--Alison Singer, President, Autism Science Foundation"This outstanding work has particularly strong chapters relating to screening and diagnosis. The book thoughtfully describes current practices, barriers, controversies, and guidelines for accurate and early identification of ASD. This is a great book for students who will be screening or diagnosing children with ASD and for professionals who wish to stay abreast of current issues in the field."--Lynn Kern Koegel, PhD, CCC-SLP, Clinical Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine; codeveloper, pivotal response treatment-This book is an easy read….It covers all aspects related to young children with autism including assessment, diagnosis, and treatments. It is useful for both clinicians and researchers in the field.--Doody's Review Service, 1/8/2021