Treatment of Autistic Children

Treatment of Autistic Children Patricia Howlin and Michael Rutter, Institute of Psychiatry, London with Michael Berger, Rosemary Hemsley, Lionel Hersov and William Yule The book describes ways of dealing with the problems shown by autistic children in their own homes. The principal therapists were parents themselves who played a major role in designing and carrying out the treatment programmes. Treatment programmes were individually designed for each child and the techniques were derived from both developmental and behavioural psychology. The outcome is described in terms of the progress made by individual children. However, in addition to single case studies, the book is unique in comparing outcome, across a whole range of measures, between treated children and their matched controls. The results of the study are discussed both in terms of their practical relevance and also their theoretical implications for our understanding of the nature of autism. This book will assist professional and academic psychologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists and teachers of the handicapped in their consideration of the future developments in the treatment of autism. Wiley Series on Studies in Child Psychiatry Series Editor Michael Rutter, Institute of Psychiatry, London

About the authors — Patricia Howlin is Principal Clinical Psychologist at the Maudsley Hospital, London, working mainly with autistic children and those suffering from pervasive developmental disorders. She is also Senior Lecturer in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. Michael Rutter is Honorary Director, MRC Child Psychiatric Unit and Professor of Child Psychiatry, in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London. Both the principal authors have been involved in research and treatment with autistic children for many years. Their current research interests include a follow-up study of autistic individuals, and a comparison of young autistic adults and a matched group of individuals with severe early language delays. The genetic basis of autism is also being explored through a large scale family study of autism and a twin study of autism.