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Special Needs
Autism is a spectrum disorder within pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Other PDDs include Asperger and Rett Syndromes. Read the latest research on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of autism, as well as services available to your child at school.
Hot Topics
- AAP Urges Autism Screening for All Kids Under 2
- Autism's Impact May Extend to Younger Siblings (Vanderbilt Peabody College)
Pervasive Developmental Disorders Overview
- Developmental Disabilities (NICHD)
- Pervasive Development Disorder (Autism Society of America)
- Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Nemours Foundation)
- NINDS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Autism
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) (NICHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Overview (Centers for Disease Control)
- What Is Autism?: Facts and Stats (Autism Society of America)
- Autism Fact Sheet (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Defining Autism (Autism Society of America)
- What Is Autism? (Autism Society of America)
- Autism (NYU Child Study Center)
- Autism: Symptoms (Centers for Disease Control)
- Autism FAQ (Centers for Disease Control)
- Understanding Autism (Nemours Foundation)
- Study Says Autism Rate Higher Than Previously Thought (Nemours Foundation)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) (NIMH)
Asperger Syndrome
- Asperger Syndrome (NICHD)
- Asperger Disorder (Autism Society of America)
- Asperger Syndrome (Nemours Foundation)
- Asperger Syndrome: Some Common Questions (MAAP Services for Austim and Asperger Syndrome)
- Asperger Syndrome: General Information and Across the Lifespan (MAAP Services for Austim and Asperger Syndrome)
- Asperger Syndrome: Symptoms and Parenting Strategies (MAAP Services for Austim and Asperger Syndrome)
- Supporting Appropriate Behavior in Students With Asperger Syndrome (Autism Society of America)
Nonverbal Learning Disorders
Rett Syndrome
Screening and Diagnosis
- Developmental Screening (Centers for Disease Control)
- Facts about Developmental Screening Tools (Centers for Disease Control)
- Screening for Special Diagnoses (ERIC)
- Diagnostic Criteria for the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Centers for Disease Control)
- The Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (NIMH)
- Autism: Diagnosis & Consultation (Autism Society of America)
- Communication and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old (Nemours Foundation)
- Communication and Your 2- to 3-Year-Old (Nemours Foundation)
Treatment
- Treatment and Support for the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (NIMH)
- Autism: Treatment and Therapy (Centers for Disease Control)
- Autism: Treatment (Autism Society of America)
- Autism Treatment: Guidelines (Autism Society of America)
- Autism Treatment: Biomedical & Dietary Approaches (Autism Society of America)
- Mental Disorders and Psychiatric Medications (NIMH)
- FDA Approves the First Drug to Treat Irritability Associated with Autism, Risperdal (Food and Drug Administration)
- Choosing a Mental Health Professional for Your Child
- Occupational Therapy (Nemours Foundation)
- Can Diet Affect Autism?
Latest Research
- Clinical Trials: Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) (NIMH)
- Autism Research Efforts Highlighted in Biological Psychiatry Special Issue (NIMH)
- Largest-Ever Search for Autism Genes Reveals New Clues (NIMH)
- Gene Linked to Autism in Families with More Than One Affected Child (NICHD)
- Tiny, Spontaneous Gene Mutations May Boost Autism Risk (NIMH)
- Brain's Fear Center Likely Shrinks in Autism’s Most Severely Socially Impaired (NIMH)
Theories of Cause
- What Causes Autism? (Autism Society of America)
- Research into Causes and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (NIMH)
- Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations (Nemours Foundation)
- Controversial Study Withdrawn Suggesting a Link Between Autism and MMR Vaccine (Nemours Foundation)
- Landmark Report Says Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism (Nemours Foundation)
Social Issues
- Promoting Friendships for Preschool Children with Special Needs (NYU Child Study Center)
- Growing Up Together: A Booklet About Friends With Autism (Autism Society of America)
- Living With Autism: Stress on Families (Autism Society of America)
- Guidelines for Families (NYU Child Study Center)
- Living With Autism: Life After High School (Autism Society of America)
Special Education
- Special Education Evaluation: An Overview
- The ABCs of Advocacy for Children With Special Needs
- Disabilities That Qualify Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth for Services under the IDEA
- Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Your Child's Rights
- Educating Students on the Autism Spectrum: Individuals With Disabilities Act
- Autism: Learning Approaches
- Educating Students on the Autism Spectrum: Approaches to Education
- How Students With Autism Learn
- Tips for Teaching High-Functioning People with Autism
- Autism: Education
- Questions Often Asked by Parents About Special Education Services
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
- Planning for Successful Transitions Across Grade Levels
- Living With Autism: Moving From Preschool to Kindergarten
- Living With Autism: Going to Middle School
- Living With Autism: Preparing for a Lifetime
