"Provides basic consumer health information about the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, available therapies, screening, interventions, and related conditions. Includes index, glossary, and other resources"-- Provided by publisher.

pt. I. Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) -- 1. What are ASD and Autistic Disorder? -- 2. Pervasive Developmental Disorder -- 3. Asperger Syndrome (High-Functioning Autism) -- 4. Rett Syndrome -- 5. Statistics on ASD in the United States -- Prevalence, risk factors, and economic costs of ASD -- Diagnosis of ASD made at earlier ages -- 6. FAQs on ASD. pt. II. Causes and risk factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 7. Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 8. Autism and the environment -- 9. Genetics impact ASD -- Is Autism inherited? -- Oxytocin and facial recognition in ASD -- Mental disorder[s] and their genetic roots -- Gene disruptions associated with Autism risk -- 10. Vaccines and ASD -- Facts on vaccines and ASD -- The facts on thimerosal, mercury, and vaccine safety -- 11. Premature birth and Autism -- 12. Early development risk factors for ASD -- 13. Assisted reproductive technology and Autism Spectrum Disorder. pt. III. Identifying and diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders -- 14. Symptoms of ASD -- Range of symptoms -- Autism symptoms emerge in infancy -- Eye response to light a possible Autism biomarker -- 15. How is ASD diagnosed? -- Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder -- Diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder -- IACC statement regarding diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 16. Medical tests and evaluations used to diagnose ASD -- 17. Developmental screening -- Developmental milestones -- Observing child's development through play -- Recommendations for routine health care developmental screening -- Screening tools for early identification of children with ASD -- Audiological screening -- 18. Getting help for developmental delay -- If you are concerned, act early -- Sharing concerns with your child's physician -- 19. ASD assessment -- 20. Genetic test for Autism -- 21. Language in children with ASD -- Specific language impairment -- Speech and language developmental milestones -- 22. Measuring Autistic intelligence. pt. IV. Conditions that may accompany Autism Spectrum Disorders -- 24. ASD and communication difficulties -- Communication problems associated with Autism -- Auditory Processing Disorder in children -- 25. ASD, seizures, and Epilepsy -- 26. Co-occurring genetic disorders in people with ASD -- Angelman Syndrome -- Fragile X Syndrome -- Landau-Kleffner Syndrome -- Mitochondrial Disease -- Moebius Syndrome -- Prader-Willi Syndrome -- Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome -- Tourette Syndrome -- Tuberous Sclerosis -- 27. Other conditions that may accompany ASD -- Unhealthy weight in U.S. adolescents with Autism -- Childhood vision impairment, hearing loss, and co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder. pt. V. Interventions and treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 28. ASD interventions -- 29. Evidence for ASD interventions -- 30. Early intervention for children with developmental delays -- Early services for ASD -- Autism intervention for toddlers improves developmental outcomes -- 31. Interventions for individuals with Asperger Syndrome -- 32. Behavior and communication therapies for ASD -- Occupational therapy -- Speech-language therapy -- 33. Medical and related interventions -- 34. Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) -- 35. Complementary and alternative medicine interventions -- 36. Facts on medication for Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 37. False or misleading claims for treating Autism -- 38. Research studies and ASD -- 39. Autism Spectrum Disorder : clinical trials -- What are clinical trials? -- Autism Spectrum Disorder research at CDC -- NIH-supported clinical trials -- Skewed norms weaken case for early brain overgrowth in Autism -- Autism risk unrelated to total vaccine exposure in early childhood -- Prevalence of parent-reported Autism. pt. VI. Education and Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 40. Understanding the special education process -- 504 education plans -- Autism awareness and acceptance in early childhood education -- Individualized education programs (IEPs) -- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -- Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) -- 41. Classroom management for students with ASD -- 42. Managing challenging ASD behavior -- 43. Social interaction education for students with ASD -- 44. Preparing for postsecondary education -- 45. Protection of students education under section 504. pt. VII. Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and transitioning to adulthood -- 46. Living arrangements -- 47. Pets for easing social anxiety in kids with Autism -- 48. Safety and children with disabilities -- 49. Toilet training for children with ASD -- 50. Disciplining your child with special needs -- 51. Practical oral care for people with ASD -- 52. Transition to adulthood for individuals with ASD -- 53. Finding appropriate and affordable housing -- 54. Autism and employment -- Employment training for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- Disability employment -- Self-employment for people with disabilities -- ASD and job accommodations -- 55. Affordable Care Act and Autism and related conditions. pt. VIII. Additional help and information -- 56. Glossary and ASD-related acronyms and terms -- 57. Directory of additional ASD resources.