New Book Provides Comprehensive Information on Autism

Los Angeles

The "Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders" offers comprehensive, evidence-based information on early intensive behavioral intervention for autism. The book explores the evolution of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), reviews the neurobiology of ASD, including its implications for screening and treatment, and points the way forward for future research and practice. It gives researchers, practitioners, and academics the guidance to understand ASD better and to intervene more effectively. The book, edited by Jonathan Tarbox, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Dennis R. Dixon, Ph.D., Peter Sturmey, Ph.D., and Johnny L. Matson, Ph.D., was published on April 11, 2014. It is available for purchase at: http://www.springer.com/psychology/child+%26+school+psychology/book/978-1-4939-0400-6.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 68 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD, with one in 42 boys and one in 189 girls diagnosed. This makes it more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, pediatric cancer, and pediatric AIDs combined.

"Many questions surround ASD, and the goal of this book is to shed light on those important questions," said Dennis R. Dixon, Ph.D., chief strategy officer at Center for Autism and Related Disorders. "Those questions include how early can accurate diagnoses be made?; at what age should intervention start?; how can parents recognize the warning signs?; and what causes autism in the first place?"

"The purpose of the book is to serve as the most comprehensive summary of research available on treatment for young children with autism," said Jonathan Tarbox, Ph.D., BCBA-D, director of Research and Development at Center for Autism and Related Disorders and executive director of Autism Research Group. "We are pleased to be able to bring chapters written by leaders in autism research and treatment from around the world into one comprehensive handbook. The primary audience for the book is researchers and practitioners, but parents, policymakers, and other stakeholders will also find it a useful resource."

Background chapters survey the history of professional understanding of the disorder and the ongoing debate over autism as a single entity or a continuum. Chapters on best methods in screening, assessment, and diagnoses reflect the transition to DSM-V from older diagnostic criteria. The heart of the book is the intervention section ranging from evidence-based strategies for developing core skills to ethical concerns, cultural consideration, and controversial treatments.

About the Authors and Editors:
Jonathan Tarbox, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is currently the director of research and development at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders and the executive director of Autism Research Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to conducting research that makes a real difference in the lives of families living with autism. Dr. Tarbox is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, and he has over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters in scientific texts, and articles in popular media. Dr. Tarbox currently serves on the board of editors for The Analysis of Verbal Behavior and Behavior Analysis in Practice.

Dennis R. Dixon, Ph.D., received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Louisiana State University with a focus on developmental disabilities. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and specialized in the treatment of severe challenging behaviors. The author of over 20 peer-reviewed articles and multiple book chapters, he currently serves on the editorial board of Research in Developmental Disabilities and Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Dixon is the chief strategy officer at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders.

Peter Sturmey, Ph.D., received his doctorate in 1985 from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. He is a professor of psychology at Queens College and the Graduate Center, City College of New York, and a visiting professor at the department of dentistry, University College London. He has published 20 books, approximately 200 peer-reviewed articles, and 50 chapters. He is an associate editor for Research in Developmental Disabilities and Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders and a member of approximately 12 other editorial boards.

Johnny L .Matson, Ph.D., is a professor and Distinguished Research Master and director of clinical training in the department of psychology at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, U.S.A. He previously held a professorship in psychiatry and clinical psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of more than 750 publications, including 38 books. He also serves as founding editor-in-chief of three journals: Research in Developmental Disabilities (Elsevier); Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Elsevier); and Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (Springer).

About Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
CARD treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at its 26 treatment centers around the globe. CARD was founded in 1990 by leading autism expert and clinical psychologist Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D. CARD treats individuals with ASD using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with ASD and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Surgeon General. CARD employs a dedicated team of over 1,500 individuals across the nation and internationally. For more information, visit http://www.centerforautism.com.

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