Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders: Frequently Asked Questions

226 Pages·2003·3.139 MB·English

by  Diane Yapko

Understanding Autism
Spectrum Disorders
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Understanding Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Frequently Asked Questions
Diane Yapko
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and New York
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FirstpublishedintheUnitedKingdomin2003
byJessicaKingsleyPublishersLtd
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Copyright©DianeYapko2003
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To my husband Michael,
I dedicate this book to you with much love,
admiration, and respect for the life we have built
and shared together and all we have yet to build
in the future.

Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 13
INTRODUCTION 17
Part 1: Diagnosis and Characteristics
1. What are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)? 24
2. Is there a difference between High Functioning
Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome? 26
3. Are there medical tests to diagnose ASD? 28
4. How is ASD diagnosed? 29
5. What tests are used to diagnose ASD? 30
6. Who can diagnose ASD? 32
7. What are the common characteristics associated
with a diagnosis of ASD? 34
8. At what age can ASD be diagnosed? 37
9. Are there gender differences in ASD? 39
10. How often does ASD occur? What is
its prevalence? 39
11. Is there an ASD epidemic? 41
12. What conditions typically co-exist with ASD? 44
13. Can you cure ASD? 47
14. Are children with ASD mentally retarded? 47
15. What are the typical speech and language
problems associated with ASD? 48
16. Are savant skills common in ASD? 52
17. What is Theory of Mind Deficit
or Mindblindness? 52
18. What are Executive Function Deficits? 54
19. What are Central Coherence Deficits? 55
20. What are Nonverbal Learning
Disabilities (NLD)? 56
21. What is Hyperlexia? 57
22. What is Pathological Demand
Avoidance Sydrome (PDA)? 57
Part 2: Causes
23. What causes ASD? 63
24. Is ASD genetic? 65
25. Is there an ASD gene? 66
26. What are the chances of having more than
one ASD child? 68
27. Can immunizations/vaccines cause ASD? 69
28. Can parenting style cause ASD? 70
29. Are there environmental causes of ASD? 71
30. Does a chemical imbalance in the brain
cause ASD? 73
31. What medical conditions can cause ASD? 74