Chapter 1. Autism and Autism Treatment: Evolution of Concepts and Practices from Kanner to Contemporary Approaches.- Chapter 2. Criteria to Evaluate Evidence in Interventions for Children with Autism.- Chapter 3. Understanding and Addressing Social Communication Difficulties in Children with Autism.- Chapter 4. Understanding and Addressing Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism.- Chapter 5. Applied Behavior Analytic Approaches to Early Intervention for Children with Autism.- Chapter 6. Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions for Children with Autism.- Chapter 7. The TEACCH Approach and other Visually Based Approaches for Children with Autism.- Chapter 8. Choosing the “Right” Program for Each Child in Autism Early Intervention.- Chapter 9. Beyond Monolithic Packages: Important Strategies Across Early Interventions for Children with Autism.- Chapter 10. Understanding Legislation, Health Insurance, and Disparities in Service Provision in Autism Early Intervention.

Giacomo Vivanti, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. His research and clinical work focus on early learning and intervention for children with Autism. Dr. Vivanti is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Early Intervention. He is the author of over 50 peer-reviewed scientific articles on autism.

Kristen Bottema-Beutel, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development (LSEHD) at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. Her research focuses on social and language development, and social interaction dynamics in autistic people across the lifespan. Dr. Bottema-Beutel is the director of the specialization in autism spectrum disorder at LSEHD, a program that prepares future special educators to support autistic students. She has written or co-written more than 30 peer-reviewed articles relevant to autism and other special education topics.

Lauren Turner Brown, Ph.D., served as the Assistant Director of the UNC TEACCH Autism Program for 5 years and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She conducted research on early identification and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder and published over 30 peer reviewed articles on the topic of ASD. Dr. Turner-Brown is currently in private practice in Chapel Hill, NC and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UNC.

This book examines early interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the goal to enable primary care physicians as well as other clinicians, therapists, and practitioners to assist parents in making informed decisions based on current research. It provides a map for successfully navigating the maze of early interventions for ASD, focusing on evidence. Chapters review the similarities and differences between current evidence-based treatments, how these treatments work, the factors that facilitate their effectiveness, and the pros and cons of their use for different children and different needs. In addition, chapters discuss the services, laws, policies, and societal issues related to early intervention in ASD.