Autism Spectrum Disorders from a to Z

Barbara Thompson Doyle, MS, is a special education professional with over thirty years of experience in developmental disability services. A consultant in private practice, she is well known and respected for her practical and positive approaches to addressing the needs of children and adults with disabilities. As an enthusiastic lecturer, teacher and trainer, Ms. Doyle travels extensively to bring her holistic, humane and effective approaches to others. Ms. Doyle is "Aunt Barbara" to Tom Iland, who has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Emily lives in Santa Clarita, CA, with her husband Steve and their family. In Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z, she draws on her experiences advocating for her son Tom who has ASD, and assisting other families. Emily's co-author is her sister, Barbara Doyle, who shares her perspective as an educational professional and autism specialist. Emily translated their book into Spanish and published the Spanish version in June, 2005. Los Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo de la A a la Z is the winner of the 2006 Outstanding Literary Work of the Year from the Autism Society of America. In April, 2007 both books were awarded the Exceptional Parent Magazine Symbol of Excellence Award. Emily is a member of the Transition Task Force of the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism and will be providing data from her thesis to inform the Commission's legislative recommendations. She is the Secretary of the Autism Society of America, Los Angeles, and a founding member of SCAAN, Santa Clarita Autism Asperger Network. Emily is a founding member of C.L.E.A.R, Community and Law Enforcement Aware Response, a collaborative to reduce criminal involvement of people with disabilities and help law enforcement officials be informed in their response to people with special needs.

• DedicationDisclaimerIntroductionAbout the authorsIntroduction from EmilyIntroduction from BarbaraPurpose of the bookTerms usedWho this book is intended to helpWho should read this book?Chapter One: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)The Diagnostic ProcessPervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD): the Umbrella CategoryPDD and ASD Overlap and Are Often Used InterchangeablyDiscussion of the Term "ASD"Characteristics of ASDRange of EffectsTable 1.1, The Range of Effects in ASDCommon Misperceptions About ASDImplications of ASDLearning Strengths and Areas of Difficulty of People with ASDChapter SummaryChapter Two: Considerations in the Diagnosis of ASDRecognizing the Need to Get a Professional OpinionMaking the Connection with ASDDifficulty and Differences Using Diagnostic TermsDifferential DiagnosisBarriers to Accurate Diagnosis: Not Recognizing AutismASD, By Many Other Names"Labels" Within ASDWhat Difference the Diagnosis MakesDiagnostic Criteria, ExplainedAutistic DisorderPervasive Developmental DisorderAsperger Syndrome (AS)AS and High Functioning Autism (HFA): Same or Different?ASD and ADD SimilaritiesASD and ADD DifferencesAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) andAttention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?Questions to AskADHD CriteriaASD and HyperlexiaASD, Semantic Pragmatic Disorder andNonverbal Learning DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder and Cognitive DisabilitiesChapter SummarySourcesChapter Three: Beginning the Process of Assessment and DiagnosisOptions in Diagnosis: Who Can DiagnoseThe Role of the School SystemThe Role of the ParentThe Role of Adult Service Providers and AgenciesOptions for Adults Referring Themselves for DiagnosisEmotions and the Assessment ProcessHow Parents Can Help Professionals with the Diagnostic ProcessPreparing a Written Personal HistoryAdults Piece the Puzzle TogetherWhat to Include in the Developmental History3.1 Matt’s Story3.2 Laura’s Timeline3.3 About AlexThe Role of TeachersChapter SummarySourcesChapter Four: The Assessment ProcessWhat is an Assessment?The Purpose of Assessment4.1, The Assessment CycleComponents of a Comprehensive AssessmentThe Assessment TeamChallenges in the Assessment Process for Professionals, Parents and Individuals

What do you get when you combine experience, impeccable research and common sense into a new book for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their parents, and professionals who work with them? Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z, by Barbara Doyle and Emily Iland. A product of passion, punctuated with case studies of real life experiences and presented in an easy-to-read format, this is a must have book for every parent and professional new to ASD—and for those that have been around the block a few hundred times!"—Dennis Debbaudt, author of Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals