With autism spectrum disorders (ASD) on the rise, there is an urgent need for health practitioners to learn about the nature, course, assessment, and diagnosis of the various ASDs. This book addresses the main domains of assessment, defines the purpose of the assessment, suggests test instruments, and includes user-friendly features such as "Don't Forget," "Rapid Reference" boxes and "Test Yourself" questions at the end of each chapter. Mental health practitioners will be equipped with all the information they need to utilize the varied assessments frequently employed in an autism evaluation. Contents: Series Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
One Overview 1
Diagnostic Criteria 2
Asperger Syndrome 3
Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified 5
Rett's Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder 8
DSM-5 9
Two Assessment of Level of Functioning 13
Selecting Instruments 14
Developmental and Early Cognitive Measures 16
Cognitive Assessments 19
Neuropsychological Assessments 28
Qualitative Observations 31
Summary 33
Test Yourself 36
Answers 37
Three Speech, Language, and Communication Assessment 39
Receptive Language 42
Expressive Language 44
Pragmatic Language/Social Communication 47
Stages of Language Development 48
Formulation of Findings 51
Summary 55
Test Yourself 57
Answers 58
Four Assessment of Behavioral Profiles 59
Standardized Assessments of Behavior 60
Functional Behavior Assessment 61
Assessment of Adaptive Behavior 64
Summary 70
Test Yourself 72
Answers 73
Five Clinical Interview and Record Review 75
Clinical Interview 76
Methods of Collecting Information on Current and Historical Presentation 87
Summary 94
Test Yourself 97
Answers 98
Six Direct Diagnostic Assessment 99
Direct Observation 99
Diagnostic Assessment 100
Semistructured Measures for Diagnostic Assessment 116
Summary 119
Test Yourself 120
Answers 122
Seven Diagnostic Differentials and Comorbidity 123
Intellectual Disability 124
Learning Profiles 130
Specific Language Impairment 134
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 135
Anxiety and Tic Disorders 137
Mood Disorders 141
Psychiatric Conditions in Adulthood 143
Summary 146
Test Yourself 150
Answers 151
Eight Case Conceptualization and Integrated Report Writing 153
The Parent Conference 153
The Written Report 154
Case Samples 155
Case Sample: Initial Diagnosis—Toddler 156
Case Sample: School-Aged Child With ASD 171
Annotated Bibliography 197
About the Authors 201
Author Index 203
Subject Index 207 About the Authors: Celine A. Saulnier, Ph.D., is the Director of Clinical Research at the Marcus Autism Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Assistant Professor (CT) in the Division of Autism and Related Disorders, Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Previously at Yale, Dr. Saulnier was both the Training Director and the Clinical Director for the Autism Program where she oversaw, conducted, and supervised multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluations on individuals with autism and related disorders from infancy through young adulthood. She has also conducted hundreds of nationwide workshops on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders resulting in her being awarded the Outstanding Educator Award for Mental Health Education by the New England Educational Institute.
Pamela Ventola, Ph.D., is on the faculty at the Yale Child Study Center, Autism Program. Dr. Ventola has vast experience conducting psychological assessments on children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Her current research focuses on neuropsychological processes in children with autism. Dr. Ventola has written numerous scholarly journal articles and book chapters on developmental disabilities. |
