Autism: A Very Short IntroductionWhat causes autism? Is it a genetic disorder, or due to some unknown environmental hazard? Are we facing an autism epidemic? What are the main symptoms, and how does it relate to Asperger syndrome? Everyone has heard of autism, but the disorder itself is little understood. It has captured the public imagination through films and novels portraying individuals with baffling combinations of disability and extraordinary talent, and yet the reality is more often that it places a heavy burden on sufferers and their families. This Very Short Introduction offers a clear statement on what is currently known about autism and Asperger syndrome. Explaining the vast array of different conditions that hide behind these two labels, and looking at symptoms from the full spectrum of autistic disorders, it explores the possible causes for the apparent rise in autism and also evaluates the links with neuroscience, psychology, brain development, genetics, and environmental causes including MMR and Thimerosal. This short, authoritative, and accessible book also explores the psychology behind social impairment and savantism, and throughout, sheds light on what it is like to live inside the mind of the sufferer. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
Contents
1 | |
2 The changing face of autism | 20 |
3 A huge increase in cases | 39 |
4 Autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder | 52 |
the heart of the matter | 65 |
6 Seeing the world differently | 85 |
7 From theory to practice | 105 |
122 | |
Further reading | 125 |
127 | |
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Common terms and phrases
ability able abnormalities action activity Actually adults answer appear Asperger syndrome attention autism spectrum autistic children aware baby become behaviour big idea birth brain causes cells central coherence chapter child classic communication complex condition connections cook criticism David detail diagnosed Diane difficulties diner disorder early Edward effect emotional example experiments explain faces fact factors feelings Frith function Gary give hand happen highly human impairment increase individuals instance intelligence interaction interest knowledge lack language learning less live look means mentalizing mind never normal parents particular Perhaps person picture play possible present problems processing questions reasons regions result seems seen severe signals signs skills social sometimes started strong talk tasks theory things top-down turn typical understand weak whole young