Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective

“Dr Gallo has written an extremely helpful guide to learning how to diagnose autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan, while also addressing the many myths and misconceptions associated with diagnosis and evaluation. His own experiences are excellent examples of the challenges faced by providers and parents through the diagnostic process and thereafter. Both professionals and parents will find this guide user–friendly.”
—Pegeen Cronin, Assistant Clinical Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
The past decade has seen a tremendous increase in the number of people being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders – and not just young children. Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective is the first volume of its kind to provide authoritative information for professionals on how to appropriately evaluate and diagnose these disorders in individuals of all ages.
Donald P. Gallo, a board–certified clinical psychologist, shares his professional insights and expertise garnered from more than 1,500 autism evaluations over the past ten years. The book includes in–depth interviewing strategies that focus on the three primary areas of impairment – socialization, communication, and behavior – to determine if an individual has an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Differential diagnostic considerations are also addressed, and numerous case examples provide further clarity. Ways to present the assessment findings to parents and patients that will help them accept the diagnosis is also included. The information is targeted specifically for a wide range of practitioners, including child psychologists, child psychiatrists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, and students in those disciplines.
Authoritative and timely, Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspectiveprovides medical and mental health professional s everywhere with an invaluable resource for the proper diagnoses and assessment of an exceedingly complex disorder which affects people of all ages.

Spis treści:
Preface.
Acknowledgements.
About the Author.
1. A Brief Look at the History of Autism.
2. The Importance of the Autism Referral.
3. How to Conduct the Evaluation.
4. Information to Gather at the Outset of the Evaluation.
5. Diagnostic Criteria for the Autism Spectrum Disorders.
6. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Social Impairment.
7. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Language Impairment.
8. The Main Problem Areas of Autism: Behavioral Concerns.
9. Additional Questions to be Asked when Interviewing Teens.
10. Additional Questions to be Asked when Interviewing Adults.
11. Other Important Factors to Take into Consideration.
12. Differential Diagnosis through the Lifespan.
13. Feedback for the Patient and Family/Parents.
Appendix A: Sample Copy of My Screening Questionnaire.
Appendix B: Sample Copies of Reports.
References.
Index.

Nota biograficzna:
Donald P.Gallo is a psychologist for Kaiser–Permanente’s Autism Spectrum Disorders Diagnostic Service in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Dr Gallo is board certified in Clinical Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and maintains a private practice in Woodland Hills, California.

Okładka tylna:
“Dr Gallo has written an extremely helpful guide to learning how to diagnose autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan, while also addressing the many myths and misconceptions associated with diagnosis and evaluation. His own experiences are excellent examples of the challenges faced by providers and parents through the diagnostic process and thereafter. Both professionals and parents will find this guide user–friendly.”
—Pegeen Cronin , Assistant Clinical Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
The past decade has seen a tremendous increase in the number of people being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders – and not just young children. Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective is the first volume of its kind to provide authoritative information for professionals on how to appropriately evaluate and diagnose these disorders in individuals of all ages.
Donald P. Gallo, a board–certified clinical psychologist, shares his professional insights and expertise garnered from more than 1,500 autism evaluations over the past ten years. The book includes in–depth interviewing strategies that focus on the three primary areas of impairment – socialization, communication, and behavior – to determine if an individual has an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Differential diagnostic considerations are also addressed, and numerous case examples provide further clarity. Ways to present the assessment findings to parents and patients that will help them accept the diagnosis is also included. The information is targeted specifically for a wide range of practitioners, including child psychologists, child psychiatrists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, and students in those disciplines.
Authoritative and timely, Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspectiveprovides medical and mental health professionals everywhere with an invaluable resource for the proper diagnoses and assessment of an exceedingly complex disorder which affects people of all ages.