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

by Christopher Gillberg (Author), Mary Coleman (Author) "Thousands of years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, medical information was written down on a set of durable clay tablets..." (more)
Key Phrases: Journal of Autism, Journal of Child, Child Neurology (more...)

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

Product Description
This updated third edition addresses the difficulties that the autistic syndrome presents for the clinician, with diagnostic aids and clear guidelines for medical evaluation. These two world authorities provide detailed explanations of current knowledge of the molecular biology and genetics of the syndrome. New chapters discuss adults with autism, behavior complexes, and neurology. Other features are reviews of available medical therapies and updates on other interventions, such as psychoeducation and behavioral modification procedures. The authors encompass all aspects of the syndrome and its management and conclude with an essential integration of current knowledge from diverse fields.

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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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,436,901 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 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. "mcmd9299w" (Upper Grandview, New York , United States) - See all my reviews

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.