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| Acknowledgements | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Diagnosis and Characteristics | |
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| What are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)? | |
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| Is there a difference between High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome? | |
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| Are there medical tests to diagnose ASD? | |
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| How is ASD diagnosed? | |
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| What tests are used to diagnose ASD? | |
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| Who can diagnose ASD? | |
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| What are the common characteristics associated with a diagnosis of ASD? | |
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| At what age can ASD be diagnosed? | |
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| Are there gender differences in ASD? | |
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| How often does ASD occur? What is its prevalence? | |
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| Is there an ASD epidemic? | |
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| What conditions typically co-exist with ASD? | |
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| Can you cure ASD? | |
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| Are children with ASD mentally retarded? | |
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| What are the typical speech and language problems associated with ASD? | |
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| Are savant skills common in ASD? | |
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| What is Theory of Mind Deficit or Mindblindness? | |
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| What are Executive Function Deficits? | |
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| What are Central Coherence Deficits? | |
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| What are Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD)? | |
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| What is Hyperlexia? | |
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| What is Pathological Demand Avoidance Sydrome (PDA)? | |
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| Causes | |
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| What causes ASD? | |
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| Is ASD genetic? | |
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| Is there an ASD gene? | |
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| What are the chances of having more than one ASD child? | |
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| Can immunizations/vaccines cause ASD? | |
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| Can parenting style cause ASD? | |
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| Are there environmental causes of ASD? | |
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| Does a chemical imbalance in the brain cause ASD? | |
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| What medical conditions can cause ASD? | |
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| Can "Leaking" or "Leaky Gut" cause ASD? | |
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| What is the Opioid Excess Theory? | |
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| Medical Issues | |
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| Can ASD be identified before birth? | |
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| Can ASD be identified at birth? | |
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| Are specific parts of the brain affected in ASD? | |
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| Is the immune system affected in ASD? | |
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| Is the gastrointestinal system affected in ASD? | |
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| What role do environmental toxins and viruses have in ASD? | |
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| What role do allergies play in children with ASD? | |
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| What is the "DAN" protocol? | |
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| What is "PANDAS"? | |
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| What are "Leaky Gut" and "Celiac Disease"? | |
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| What is Secretin? | |
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| Do all children with ASD have seizures? | |
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| How do I know if my child is having seizures? | |
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| What medications are used with ASD individuals? | |
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| What is Purine Autism? | |
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| What is the Urine Peptide Test? | |
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| Treatments and Intervention Programs and Approaches | |
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| What types of treatment approaches exist for ASD? | |
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| Are all treatment approaches equally beneficial? | |
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| How to I decide which intervention(s) are most appropriate for my child? | |
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| What are Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Discrete Trial Training (DTT)? | |
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| What is Pivotal Response Training (PRT)? | |
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| What is Floor Time and the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based approach (DIR)? | |
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| What is the SCERTS Model? | |
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| What is TEACCH? | |
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| What is Speech-Language Therapy? | |
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| What is Augmentative Communication (AC) and PECS? | |
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| What is Auditory Integration Training (AIT)? | |
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| What is Occupational Theory (OT)? | |
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| What is Sensory Integration Therapy (SI)? | |
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| What is Physical Therapy? | |
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| What is Art Therapy? | |
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| What is Animal Assisted Therapy? | |
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| What is Music Therapy? | |
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| What is Vision Therapy? | |
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| What diets are used to treat ASD individuals? | |
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| What vitamins and nutritional supplements are used with ASD individuals? | |
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| What is Immunotherapy? | |
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| What medications are used to treat ASD? | |
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| How is Melatonin used in treating ASD? | |
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| Are there specific interventions for toilet training? | |
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| Are there specific interventions for temper tantrums? | |
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| Are there specific interventions for social skills deficits? | |
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| Are there specific interventions for sleep disturbances? | |
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| Are there specific interventions for self-injurious behaviors? | |
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| Are there specific interventions for auditory processing problems? | |
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| Resources/Organizations/Websites | |
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| What organizations are available for ASD individuals and their families? | |
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| What publications are available for ASD individuals and their families? | |
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| What other resources, websites and books are available for ASD individuals and their families? | |
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| What websites are available to provide therapy tools, learning activities and materials for working with ASD individuals? | |