Autism and Developmental Disabilities

In this book, we examine current practices and issues related to assessing, instructing, and lifelong planning for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Currently, schools systems, mental health facilities, and society are being challenged in a variety of ways to deal effectively with the growing number of children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities. To some extent, this challenge is due to the inclusive philosophy of educating, training, and treating individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. This book provides regular and special educators, mental health professionals, clinicians, and parents with information on best practices and research based findings related to: identification, characteristics, diagnosis; special, general, early and postsecondary education; and quality of life concerns. The book chapters are topical, comprehensive, and diverse. For example, there are chapters on assessment which examine the emerging field of infant mental health, testing protocols, barriers to diagnosing diverse students, and recent developments in the diagnosing and assessment of autism spectrum disorders such as genetic testing, home movies, and robots. Also, there are a number of chapters on instructional aspects that delineate curriculum innovations, procedures to implement social skills, the use of assistive technology, and planning for postsecondary education. Lastly, there are chapters on lifelong planning that provide readers with unique content on self-determination, the challenges of meeting social competence, sibling aspects, and employment and retirement considerations. Finally, there is a case study and a chapter on the reflections of an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) that provide the reader with insightful commentary on the thinking and emotional experiences of persons with ASD. Book jacket.