The Biology of the Autistic Syndromes (Clinics in Developmental Medicine (Mac Keith Press)) [Hardcover]

Christopher Gillberg (Author), Mary Coleman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521432286 | ISBN-13: 978-0521432283 | Publication Date: February 26, 1993 | Edition: 2 Sub

In this major reference work the authors give a complete account of what is currently known about autism, which will be an invaluable source book to all clinicians who interact with autistic patients. In the first parts, the book describes and reviews the clinical considerations and also reviews the general literature, including genetical studies and brain imaging. Part III reviews other disease states that possess a subgroup showing autistic syndromes and Part IV gives an account of treatments of autism currently under investigation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The state of the art of biological research into autism is nowhere better summarized than in this book ... Gillberg and Coleman's well-structured and comprehensive ... they are, without doubt, uniquely placed to write such a book ... this book is a comprehensive account of current knowledge.' Brain

Book Description

Autism is a syndrome of different diseases. In this completely reworked and updated third edition, two world authorities address the difficulties this presents for the clinician with diagnostic aids and clear guidelines for medical evaluation. Epidemiology, neuropsychological studies and behavior complexes are reviewed in detail, as is what is known about the molecular biology and genetics of autism. Epilepsy and electrophysiological studies are covered, as well as biochemistry, endocrinology, immunology, brain imaging, neuropathology and the available medical therapies. The book concludes with an essential integration of current knowledge from diverse fields. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 Sub edition (February 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521432286
• ISBN-13: 978-0521432283
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,014,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comments by Mary Coleman M.D., October 21, 2000

By 

Mary Coleman, M.D. (Upper Grandview, New York , United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Biology of the Autistic Syndromes (Clinics in Developmental Medicine) (Hardcover)

This third edition of The Biology of the Autistic Syndromes finally puts fully in place the new paradigm of autism which knocks down the two major myths about autism. 1)Autism is NOT caused by poor parenting - the parents are, if anything, the victims of this psychoneurological disease -- and 2)autism is NOT one disease -- it is many different diseases. The symptoms of autism are due to neurodevelopmental errors in the fetal brain. Modern neuroimaging techniques have shown that virtually every brain region is affected in autism.

Approximately three-quarters of the children diagnosed as autistic have one of the disease entities of autism, discussed in Chapter 10. Another quarter of the children have a double syndrome, that is an autistic syndrome in addition to a second, well-established medical syndrome, discussed in Chapter 11. Correct diagnosis of each individual child, as outlined in Chapter 16, is the essential first step toward accurate medical therapy.

There are chapters on Asperger syndrome, epidemiology, neuropsychology, epilepsy, biochemistry, neuropathology and molecular genetics.

The new paradigm of autism is changing the future for children with autism.