It is often difficult to decide whether a preschool child who does not communicate effectively has a developmental disorder limited to language, has behaviors that indicate autism with or without mental deficiency, or across-the-board mental deficiency without autistic features. All of these disorders denote abnormal brain development, but standard medical and neurologic examinations and tests such as brain imaging, EEGs, and chromosome and chemical tests rarely provide an answer. Careful attention to the child's language and behavior, ability to play creatively, and analysis of neuropsychologic tests and language are much more informative for arriving at a correct diagnosis. This is one of the largest multidisciplinary studies to have considered the problem of making a diagnosis among these often confusing and not easily assessable young children. It considers explicitly the practical consequences of using different criteria for making a diagnosis.

Written by child neurologists, this comprehensive, multi-authored volume on autism systematically discusses the classification, epidemiology and neurobiology of autism. Autism lacks a unique etiology or specific pathology, so the behaviorally defined social deficits, language impairments and repetitive behaviors that define autism are explored from a developmental neurology perspective. The evidence suggesting that autism is a disorder of neuronal development is reviewed by experts on the genetics, neuroanatomy and neuroradiology, neurochemistry, immunology, and neurophysiology of autism. Chapters provide comprehensive reviews of the common neurological problems associated with autism such as epilepsy, sleep disturbances and motor and sensory deficits. Neuropsychological assessment, medical and psychopharmacologic management, educational and behavioral interventions, and outcome are discussed within the clinical content of the practising neurologist. The research agenda needed to understand the neurology of autism is emphasized throughout the book and in the conclusion.

Autism is a complex disorder of neurodevelopment resulting in pervasive abnormalities in social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviours and restricted interests. It presents difficult challenges to physicians and other professionals and especially to the parents and families of affected individuals. The aim of this volume is to provide an update on this multi-faceted condition, and to review most of its major features, in particular its biology, genetics and current understanding of its brain basis. The book emphasises the importance of early detection, and spells out appropriate steps for clinical diagnosis and investigations such as neuropsychology, electrophysiology and imaging. Of particular interest are chapters that focus on differential diagnosis, advances in neurogenetics and molecular biology, possible consequences of immunisations and the relation between autism and epilepsy.