The pace of research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has expanded exponentially in recent years. It is difficult for anyone to keep up with all developments. This book will assist the experienced and non-specialist reader to keep up with recent developments. The book opens with a focus on the evolutionary aspects of autism and then focuses on the public's attitude towards autism including the stigma issue. Then there is a focus on cortical modularity and electrophysiology followed by treatment issues including sensory, medical and community-based interventions. Finally, forensic issues are dealt with and the importance of the built environment is focused on. The book will be relevant to psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatricians, social workers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and care workers.

The greatest advantage of modern technology is its ability to improve the lives of all. In particular, new technologies have the potential to greatly mitigate cognitive, motor, and social impairments stemming from genetic or environmental factors. Recent Advances in Assistive Technologies to Support Children with Developmental Disorders raises awareness of disabled children and what can be done to help them grow and develop alongside their peers. Bringing together personal experiences with academic investigation, this book is an essential reference for doctors, pediatricians, pre- and primary school educators, and scientists working to enhance the impact assistive technologies have on the youngest members of society.

Information about the symptoms, treatment, and research on Autism spectrum disorders including Autism and Asperger syndrome.

Growing evidence derived from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), neuropathological, imaging, genetic, and epidemiological studies link neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation to a subset of individuals with a variety of severe mental disorders (SMDs), including affective and non-affective psychotic disorders. Further, the recent discoveries of neuronal surface antibodies (NSAs) in autoimmune encephalitis (AE) presenting with diverse neuropsychiatric disorders such as psychosis and cognitive decline, among many others, provides further support to the notion that CNS autoimmunity and neuroinflammation can contribute to the neurobiology of psychiatric disturbances. Further, these immune mechanisms may contribute to a subset of patients currently diagnosed as having treatment-resistant SMDs such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Additionally, mounting data indicate that various infections can serve as an immunological trigger of aberrant immune responses, presumably by causing release of excess neural antigen, thereby giving rise to NSAs or aberrant immune cellular responses to give rise to primary or secondary psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and those associated with AE, respectively. Collectively, these findings support the “mild encephalitis” hypothesis of SMD. The significant overlap among AE-associated psychosis, systemic autoimmune disorder-associated psychosis, and psychotic disorders associated with pathological processes involving inflammation and immune dysregulation has also prompted some authors to adopt the term “autoimmune psychosis” (AP). This term reflects that this psychosis subtype is mechanistically linked to complex neuroimmune and inflammatory signalling abnormalities that can be responsive to early immunomodulatory treatment. It also suggests that a subset of AP might represent an incomplete or “forme fruste” subtype of AE presenting with dominant or pure psychiatric symptoms mimicking primary psychiatric illnesses. Because data indicate that delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent sequelae, early recognition of AP utilizing neurodiagnostic workup (e.g., CSF analysis, neuroimaging, and EEG) and its early treatment with appropriate immunotherapy are paramount to a meaningful recovery. This eBook will provide an overview of the current knowledge and research areas from epidemiology, risk factors and diagnosis to the management of these conditions, in this rapidly emerging field, helping to bridge the gaps in knowledge that currently exist in the disciplines of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neuroimmunology.

This authoritative resource, now thoroughly revised for DSM-5, has set the standard for the comprehensive assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Leading experts demonstrate how to craft a scientifically grounded profile of each child?s strengths and difficulties, make a formal diagnosis, and use assessment data to guide individualized intervention in clinical and school settings. Chapters review state-of-the-art instruments and approaches for evaluating specific areas of impairment in ASD and co-occurring emotional and behavioral disorders. Considerations in working with children of different ages are highlighted. With a primary focus on children, several chapters also address assessment of adolescents and adults. ÿ New to This Edition *Chapter on key implications of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, plus related updates throughout the volume. *Chapter on advances in early identification (ages 0?3). *Chapter with in-depth case examples illustrating the evaluation decision-making process and common diagnostic challenges. *Chapters on pseudoscience (including strategies for advising parents) and future directions in the field. *Current assessment data, numerous new and revised measures, and cutting-edge screening approaches.

This Research Topic covers the pathogenetic processes in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that underpin the translation of genetic vulnerability to clinically significant symptoms. Available research data in ASD suggests that it is a neural connectivity disorder and that the social communication and related neurobehavioural symptoms result from reduced synchronization between key "social brain" regions. These interconnected neural systems can be understood through the relationship between functionally relevant anatomic areas and neurochemical pathways, the programming of which are genetically modulated during neurodevelopment and mediated through a range of epigenetic and environmental modulators. Elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms can provide an invaluable window for understanding the neural wiring that regulates higher brain functions and consequent clinical phenotypes. In keeping with the multi modal and diverse origins of ASD, this Research Topic explores the genetic underpinnings and environmental modulation in the aetiology; neural substrates, biomarkers and endophenotypes that underlie clinical characteristics; as well as neurochemical pathways and pathophysiological mechanisms that pave the way for therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, since genetically mediated deficits and consequent functional impairments involve activity-dependent synapse development that depends on postnatal learning and experience, the trajectory towards the final clinical expression could be modulated by early interventions that exploit the neuronal maturation and brain plasticity. However, identifying these diverse pathogenetic processes and tailoring interventions would require subtyping ASD into homogeneous subgroups. In this regard, this topic covers the current state of evidence in the literature through topic reviews as well as ongoing original work that provides tangible hypotheses and directions for future research.

In this issue, guest editors bring their considerable expertise to this important topic.Provides in-depth reviews on the latest updates in the field, providing actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create these timely topic-based reviews.

Rosenberg’s Molecular and Genetic Basis of Neurologic and Psychiatric Disease, Sixth Edition: Volume One, provides a comprehensive introduction and reference to the foundations and key practical aspects relevant to neurologic and psychiatric disease. A favorite of over three generations of students, clinicians and scholars, this new edition retains and expands the informative, concise and critical tone of the first edition. This is an essential reference for general medical practitioners, neurologists, psychiatrists, geneticists, and related professionals, and for the neuroscience and neurology research community. The content covers all aspects essential to the practice of neurogenetics to inform clinical diagnosis, treatment and genetic counseling. Every chapter has been thoroughly revised or newly commissioned to reflect the latest scientific and medical advances by an international team of leading scientists and clinicians. The contents have been expanded to include disorders for which a genetic basis has been recently identified, together with abundant original illustrations that convey and clarify the key points of the text in an attractive, didactic format. Comprehensive coverage of the neurogenetic foundation of neurological and psychiatric disease Provides a detailed introduction on both the clinical and basic research implications of molecular and genetics surrounding the brain Includes new chapters on molecular genomics, CRISPR and the most recent updates in molecular genetics

What have scientists learned about the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Can parents do anything to prevent it? Why do different kids have such different symptoms, and what are the best ways to deal with them? Will there ever be a cure? From leading autism researchers Raphael Bernier, Geraldine Dawson, and Joel Nigg, this accessible guide helps parents put the latest advances to work for their unique child. From the impact of sleep, exercise, diet, and technology, to which type of professional help might be the right fit, the authors cover it all with expertise and compassion. Above all, they emphasize that current progress makes this an encouraging time for anyone who wants to help children and teens on the spectrum live to their fullest potential.