Contents


Preface

The changing face of psychiatry and clinical psychology is mostly illustrated by the hugely increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as we increase our understanding and broaden the concept from Leo Kanner's (1943) very narrow concept. The prevalence of ASD was 4/10,000 and is now 1/59, according to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. Older concepts of autism, that is narrow concepts, have been shown to be completely outdated and unfortunately their use deprives children of ASD diagnosis, with serious consequences for the child, family, and school. A more restricted concept of autism is still contained in instruments, for example, the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS). Parents are still being reduced to tears when they are given a so-called diagnosis of "ADI-negative," and when parents, schools, etc., see clearly that the child has autism. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence Guidelines (2012) specifically point out that there is no precise instrument for the diagnosis of autism and that it is a clinical diagnosis by an expert in autism that is best. According to Baird et al. (2006), about 25/10,000 meet criteria for autism diagnosis based on ADI-ADOS, while the rate of current diagnosis, that is ADS, gives a rate of about 116/10,000. This means that ADI-ADOS is missing over three-quarters of patients who would now be described as having ASD. The rate of expansion of research on ASD is now so rapid that books like this are necessary to

This book focuses on the controversies of the diagnosis of ASD with an examination of the putative link between autism, stercobilin, and gastrointestinal disorders. It also focuses on an exploration of scalp acupuncture as a possible treatment. There is also critical examination of autism in the classroom and an investigation into a very

**Michael Fitzgerald**

Trinity College,

Department of Psychiatry,

Professor,

Ireland

unusual phenomenon observed in Uganda called "nodding syndrome."

bring recent advances together in one place.
