Autism and Developmental Disabilities: Current Practices and Issues -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- List of Contributors -- Preface -- Chapter 1. The Challenge of Social Competence for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) -- Understanding Social Competence and Students with ASD -- Teaching Social Competence -- Identifying Core Supports of Social Competence for Students with ASD -- Correlates of Social Competence -- Barriers to Social Competence -- A Hierarchy of Socialization Environments -- Future Directions -- References -- Chapter 2. Curriculum Innovation to Educate Students with Autism in General Education -- Knowing what to Look for in Autism -- Assessment and Classification of Children with Autism -- Innovative Programming for Children with Autism -- Using Social Stories and Physical Structure to Teach -- Using Positive Behavior Supports -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 3. Implementing Social Skills for Students with Autism -- Social Skills: Definitions and Conceptualizations -- Strategies for Teaching Social Skills -- Ecological Variables -- Direct Teaching -- Social Interactive Training -- Peer Initiation Programs -- Peer Tutoring Program -- Circle of Friends Program -- Special Friends Program -- Positive Reinforcement Strategies -- Social Skills and School Inclusion -- The Need for a Social Skills Therapist -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 4. Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Introduction -- Assessing and Diagnosing ASD -- Case Study -- Summary -- References -- Chapter 5. Recent Developments in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Introduction -- Updates about Established ASD Measures -- Alternative Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger's Disorder -- Home Movies and Videotapes as Aids to Early Identification of ASD -- An Atypical Screening Tool for ASD in Adults.

New Measures for ASD Screening and Assessment -- Medical Tests that may Facilitate ASD Diagnosis -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 6. Asperger Syndrome in the African American Community: Barriers to Diagnosis -- Prevalence of AS among African Americans -- Barriers to Help-Seeking Behaviors -- Barriers to Referral of African American Children -- Barriers to Assessment -- Summary and Implications -- References -- Chapter 7. Issues Pertaining to Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Siblings' Susceptibility to ASDs -- Sibling Studies to Find Early Markers of ASDs -- Common Experiences of Individuals who have Siblings with ASDs -- Adjustment of Neurotypical Children to Having ASD Siblings -- Issues Pertaining to Adults with ASD Siblings -- Positive Effects of Having an ASD Sibling -- Note -- References -- Chapter 8. Reflections on the School Experiences of a Student with Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Editors Comments on Mr. Markley's Reflections -- References -- Chapter 9. Infant Mental Health: An Emerging Field for Children with Developmental Disabilities -- Behavior Problems: Nature, Prevalence, and Course -- Contributing Factors -- Assessment -- Treatment -- Conclusions and Future Directions -- References -- Chapter 10. Self-Determination and Persons with Developmental Disabilities -- Integrating Self-Determination in the Academic Curriculum -- Teaching Self-Determination -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 11. Post-Secondary Planning for Students with Developmental Disabilities -- Post-Secondary Education for Students with Developmental Disabilities: Issues and Challenges -- Programmatic Headways for Students with Developmental Disabilities -- Future Consideration for Students with Developmental Disabilities -- Conclusion -- References.

Chapter 12. Employment and Retirement Concerns for Persons with Developmental Disabilities -- Overview -- Importance of Work -- Legislative Acts to Improve Work Opportunities -- Integrating Persons with Developmental Disabilities into the Workforce: Supported Employment -- Social Barriers for People with Developmental Disabilities in Employment Settings -- Social Psychological Biases and the Application to Employment Settings -- Other Social Psychological Concepts that May Influence Ratings of Applicants in Employment Settings -- Retirement Concerns for Those with Developmental Disabilities -- Summary -- References -- Chapter 13. Using Assistive Technology to Educate Students with Developmental Disabilities and Autism -- Definition and Meaning of Assistive Technology -- Assistive Technology for Students with Developmental Disabilities and Autism -- Assessing Assistive Technology for Students with Developmental Disabilities and Autism -- Assistive Technology Strategies to be Used for Students with Developmental Disabilities and Autism -- Limitations of Assistive Technology -- Conclusion -- References -- Appendix A. Assistive Technology Articles on Students with Disabilities -- Appendix B. Assistive Technology Websites for Educators of Students with Disabilities.