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The Biology of Autistic Syndromes

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 41; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00004583-200201000-00022

1527-5418

Diane Treadwell‐Deering,

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

The central theme of this encyclopedic third edition of The Biology of Autistic Syndromes is that autism is not a single disease entity. It is not a medical diagnosis. It is a syndrome, “a series of totally different diseases that can present clinically through a final common pathway…” (p. ix). As such, there is not one single, elusive neuroanatomical abnormality, or biochemical aberration, or chromosomal defect that holds the key to this devastating group of disorders. This point is driven home repeatedly throughout the book. The authors offer no “final answers” in this volume, but attempt to provide a comprehensive update on recent advances in the field of the poorly named “autistic spectrum disorders.” The target audience for this book is designated as physicians who diagnose and treat people with autistic syndromes. The book's focus is clearly on the biology of autistic syndromes. There are several chapters on clinical diagnosis, clinical course throughout the lifespan, phenomenology, and interventions, in addition to chapters about genetics, biochemistry, endocrinology, immunology, and so forth. However, many of these nonbiology chapters are very brief, merely citing recent publications. This book should not be mistaken as a comprehensive text suitable for those readers unfamiliar with autistic spectrum disorders. Those looking for guidance with regard to clinical diagnosis and treatment should seek elsewhere, although this volume contains many useful and practical suggestions.