Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Research, Policy, and Practice

The Second Edition of this handbook provides significantly updated and expanded content and coverage, including new chapters on the changing epidemiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), measurement and assessment of problem behaviors, value-based care for ASD, conceptual foundations of evidence-based practices, the use of technology, and functional behavior assessment in ASD treatment. This unique volume addresses basic questions in salient detail, from epidemiology and diagnosis to guiding treatment decisions. In addition, it examines treatment delivery systems and new technologies to support individuals with ASD.

Key areas of coverage include:

• History of the evolving diagnostic criteria for ASD.
• Early screening and diagnostic measures and practices.
• Ethics and economics of early intervention.
• Detailed descriptions of evidence-based practices in treating the behavioral deficits and excesses associated withASD.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration to address co-occurring conditions and treat the whole patient.
• Caregiver collaboration to foster treatment integrity and consistency to improve outcomes.

The Second Edition of the Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is a must-have comprehensive reference for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians and other scientist-practitioners in clinical child, developmental, and school psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, social work, public health, pediatric medicine, rehabilitation, and special education.

Dennis R. Dixon, Ph.D., is the Chief Clinical Officer at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), the largest applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment provider for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Dixon received a doctorate in clinical psychology from Louisiana State University with a focus on developmental disabilities. Subsequently, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, specializing in the treatment of severe challenging behaviors. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed studies. At CARD, Dr. Dixon has dedicated nearly 15 years to research focused on improving treatment outcomes and the quality of life of individuals with ASD. He is particularly interested in leveraging technology and data science to advance clinical practices.

Peter Sturmey, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at the Graduate Center and Queens College, City University of New York, specializing in applied behavior analysis, developmental disabilities, aggression and violence, and caregiver training. He has published more than 27 authored and edited books, more than 225 journal articles, more than 75 book chapters, and made hundreds of presentations nationally and internationally. He is the series editor for Springer’s book series, Advances in Prevention and Treatment of Violence and Aggression.

Johnny L. Matson, Ph.D., is Professor and Distinguished Research Master in the Department of Psychology at Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge. Previously, he was Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He has served as major professor for 72 doctoral candidates and is the author of more than 900 publications, including 52 books. Dr. Matson is the founding editor of the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.