The Neuroscience of Autism

The Neuroscience of Autism provides a comprehensive accounting of autism spectrum disorders by integrating scientific findings from behavioral, cognitive and neurobiological research. The book begins by defining autism, identifying characteristics and prevalence, exploring its history, and then moving on to the cognitive and social bases of behavioral symptoms, the brain bases of behavioral and cognitive symptoms, and finally, intervention practices. It examines theoretical models such as weak central coherence, enhanced perceptual functioning, and the extreme male brain hypothesis.

Finally, the book addresses the increased attention on the brain connectivity model of autism, looking at the synchronization of brain activity across different brain areas, the causal influence of a brain region on another, and white matter cable connections in the brain.

"Starting with the history of autism and taking us through the modern neuroscientific approach to understanding the disorder, this book provides a much needed guide to an enigmatic, increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition. While an amazing amount of progress has clearly been made since initial descriptions of autism over 70 years ago, the authors clearly demarcate open questions regarding the etiology, neuroscience, and genetics associated with the autism diagnosis. This collection of chapters from experts in the field dispels common myths and charts a clear path forward for scientists and clinicians engaged in understanding autism."—Lucina Q. Uddin, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles