SECTION I: INTRODUCTION -- Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Book and the Concept of Autism Spectrum Disorder.-Chapter 2 - Obstacles to Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Myths about Autism.-Chapter 3 - Autism Screening and Early Identification: If you see something, say something.-SECTION II: DIAGNOSING AUTISM SPECTUM DISORDER .-Chapter 4 - Steps to Diagnosis and the First Minute.-Chapter 5 - Elicit a Developmental History.-Chapter 6 - Overview of the Diagnostic System: Using Diagnostic Criteria.-Chapter 7 - The Developmental Physical Exam.-Chapter 8 - Assessing Current Developmental Levels and Making a Diagnostic Decision.-Chapter 9 - Discussing Your Findings with Parents: Saying the "A" Word.-Chapter 10 - Connect the Family with Community Resources.-Chapter 11 - Documentation: What You Say Matters.-SECTION III: TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION.-Chapter 12 - Evidence-Based Treatments.-Chapter 13 - Alternative Interventions and the Placebo Effect.-SECTION IV: WORKING WITH PARENTS: PRIMARY CARE ISSUES IN ASD.-Chapter 14 - Respect for the Sensory and Anxiety Issues of Children with ASD.-Chapter 15 - Teaching Effective and Positive Parenting Skills.-Chapter 16 - Challenging Behaviors in ASD.-Chapter 17 - Primary Care Issues by Age.-Chapter 18 - Looking Forward.-SECTION V: SPECIAL TOPICS IN CARING FOR THE CHILD WITH ASD AND THE FAMILY.-Chapter 19 - The Diagnostic Borderlands of the Autism Spectrum.-Chapter 20 - Females with ASD.-Chapter 21 - Gender Identity in ASD.-Chapter 22 - Cultural Perspectives in ASD.-Chapter 23 - Prevention of ASD -- SECTION VI: CONCLUSIONS.-SECTION VII: APPENDICES.

This unique resource is designed to be a practical, user-friendly guide for pediatricians, primary care providers, and all healthcare providers who work with children with autism spectrum disorder. Diagnosing and Caring for the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorderoffers state-of-the art instruction to clinicians on how to recognize, diagnose and assist children with autism spectrum disorders, from early in life to transition to adulthood. This book will also delve into how to support pediatric patients by working with families, and discuss how to best interact with and support these families. The book opens with a comprehensive introduction of ASD and obstacles to diagnosis and common myths. Section Two is devoted to the early recognition of atypical development and reviews the steps in diagnosing autism, including the evaluation, the diagnostic visit, the developmental exam, and the discussion of findings with parents. Section Three covers treatment and interventions for the autism spectrum and includes a discussion on alternative therapies and how to direct parents toward evidence-based or plausible treatments. Section Four and Five addresses special topics that are relevant to the PCP's or pediatrician's long-term relationship with families, including chapters on anxiety, parents, challenging behaviors and common scenarios that occur across childhood for those who have ASD. Later chapters delve more deeply into providing informed, sensitive care for patients with intersecting identities, and discusses how gender identity and cultural perspective and attitudes can impact the pediatric patient with ASD. Engaging, and written in a conversational style, Diagnosing and Caring for the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be an ideal resource for the pediatrician, primary care provider, and all healthcare providers working with children with ASD, providing concrete, step-by-step methods that readers can incorporate into their own practice.