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

Christopher Gillberg (Author), Mary Coleman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1898683220 | ISBN-13: 978-1898683223 | Publication Date: January 18, 2000 | Edition: 3

Autism is not a single disease but a syndrome of different diseases. In this completely reworked and updated third edition, two world authorities, Christopher Gillberg and Mary Coleman, address the difficulties this presents for clinical diagnosis with diagnostic aids and clear guidelines for medical evaluation. Epidemiology, neuropsychological studies and behavior complexes, such as self-injury, are reviewed in detail, and the authors give a detailed explanation of what is known about the molecular biology and genetics of autism. Epilepsy and electrophysiological studies are also covered, as well as biochemistry, endocrinology, immunology, brain imaging and neuropathology. The available medical therapies are reviewed, along with an update on what is known about other interventions, such as psychoeducational and behavioral modification procedures. The book concludes with an integration of current knowledge from diverse fields. This is an essential text for clinicians and will also be of interest to parents of autistic children.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From reviews of the previous edition...

"...well-structured and comprehensive...covers current and past research succinctly and with many useful summary tables. Much of the work has come from the laboratories of these authors, and they are, without doubt, uniquely placed to write such a book." Brain

"...a useful source for references to organic aspects of the autistic syndromes." Journal of Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines

"...a remarkably complete and up-to-date review of the genetic and non-genetic causes of autism. Clinicians will be well served by the Gillberg and Coleman book." European Journal of Paediatric Neurology

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: Mac Keith Press; 3 edition (January 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1898683220
• ISBN-13: 978-1898683223
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,440 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.