Finding and
understanding the puzzle pieces of…
Autism
Table of Contents
Introduction
and Scope
Browsing Areas
Books
Encyclopedia
and Dictionaries
Web Resources
Database
Audio/Visual
Resources
Introduction
and Scope
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that
typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of
disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals
is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer,
diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups
and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a
person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated
with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging
objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild
to quite severe. (Autism Speaks, 2009)
This pathfinder will help parents, educators,
students, researchers, and the public find the best information about autism, Asperger’s,
and pervasive developmental disorder that is available at the Land O’ Lakes
library in the Pasco County public libraries system in Florida. The resources
have been reviewed for quality and accessibility. By using this guide, a person will understand
what autism is, as well as early symptoms and different researched programs
that may help a person with autism function in society.
This bibliographical guide includes both online
and print materials with annotations so users may choose the resources that
will best fit their needs. The guide is organized by type of resource: after
the subject heading and browsing area, there are sections for sources that
provide comprehensive coverage of the topic in print, web sites, databases, and
audio/visual formats.
Subject
Headings
For research outside of
this pathfinder, the following subject headings are provided. Subject headings
are typically used in bibliographic records, but can be useful in finding
related or similar terms and materials connected to the original topic.
*ASD
*Asperger's
*Autism
*Autism Disorder
*Pervasive Developmental Disorder
*Savant
*Spectrum
Browsing
Areas
Browsing area call numbers
are listed in Dewey Decimal format. This is the most commonly found system in
public libraries.
371 – Education; School management; special education
616 – Medical sciences; diseases
618 – Medical sciences; Gynecology & other medical
specialties
J616 – Medical sciences; diseases
Books
The books listed below have
been chosen for their overall quality and relevancy in autism, symptoms, and
different models that support development in autistic children. There are many
other books that can be found by using the subject headings and browsing areas
listed.
·
Attwood, T.
(2008). The complete guide to Asperger's syndrome. Philadelphia, PA.: Jessica Kingsley. [616.8588 At]
This guide provides a complete look into the
understanding of Asperger’s syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum. Mr.
Attwood draws on his 25 years of experience as a clinical psychologist to
explain this syndrome, the mind set of a person living with Asperger’s,
provides case studies, and a frequently asked questions section.
·
Chez, M.G.
(2008). Autism and its medical
management: A guide for parents and professionals. Philadelphia, PA. :
Jessica Kingsley Publishers. [618.92858 Ch]
Autism and its Medical Management explains the
medical aspects of autism. It provides
an outline of current research to enable parents and professionals to gain an
understanding of the various factors that may contribute to the development of
ASDs and current treatment options.
·
Holmes, D.L.
(1998). Autism through the lifespan: The
Eden model. Bethesda, MD:
Woodbine House. [616.8982 Ho]
With numerous examples and case histories, Autism
Through the Lifespan presents an in depth model for helping children and adults.
It opens with an overview of what's known about autism today, then continues
with discussions about Eden's approach to modifying behavior, placement and
treatment, curriculum from early childhood to adulthood, staffing issues,
inclusion, decision making, and parental roles.
·
Jepson, B.
(2007). Changing the course of autism: A
scientific approach for parents and physicians. Boulder, CO.: Sentient
Publications. [616.8982 Je]
Are looking for more than a definition on
autism? This is book provides a look
back in time covering the history if autism and how it’s come to be understood
in today’s world. Jepson discusses the
link of autism to the immune system and detoxification and treating the brain.
·
Simons, J.
& Oishi, S. (1987). The hidden child
the Linwood method for reaching the autistic child. Bethesda, MD.: Woodbine
House. [618.92898 Si]
Linwood Children's Center for autistic children
was founded in 1955 by teacher and therapist Simons. Oishi skillfully combines
Simons's case studies, anecdotes, and reminiscences with her own observations
and research to produce a readable, moving account. She provides an excellent
explanation of autism, then a step-by-step analysis of the Linwood method of
establishing relationships, patterning good behavior, overcoming compulsions,
developing skills, and fostering social and emotional development. This
valuable guidebook for teachers and therapists also has a hopeful message for
parents of autistic children. (Library Journal Review)
Encyclopedia and Dictionaries
Encyclopedias and dictionaries
are an excellent way to find an explanation of a certain topic. All of the
encyclopedias and dictionaries listed focus on autism and other surrounding
issues. When reading about autism, you may come across terms or phrases that
are unfamiliar, and an encyclopedia or dictionary is an excellent source to
help illuminate the research process.
All of these materials provide similar information and are excellent
reference tools as well as good starting blocks when beginning research. For
further searching using encyclopedias and dictionaries, consider looking for
articles using the terms in the “subject headings” section of this guide.
·
Merck manual of medical information. (2003). Autism. (2nd ed.). Whitehouse
Station, NJ. : Merck Research Laboratories. [R616.024 Me]
The Merck Manual is written in a simplistic yet
thorough fashion. It provides a clear
explanation of autism while providing the reader details about symptoms,
diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, and a separate section covering Asperger’s
Disorder.
·
Professional guide to diseases. (2008). Autistic disorder. (9th ed.)
Ambler, PA. : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [R616 Pr]
This encyclopedia provides an in-depth description
of autistic disorder as well as causes and incidents, signs and symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment, and special considerations. The information is layed out in a clear
logical fashion that is makes it user friendly for the reader.
·
Venes, D.
(Ed.). (2001). Taber’s cyclopedia medical
dictionary. Autism. (19th ed.) Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis
Company. [R610.3 Ta]
Taber’s provides a clear definition of autism with
an extended section under Nursing Diagnoses providing information on social
interaction, communication, self-mutilation, personal identity disturbance and
family coping.
Websites
Due to the widespread use and access of computers, websites are some of
the most accessible sources of information on autism. All of the following
websites are accessible from a home computer and on a public library computer
by using a user ID obtained through patron services.
·
Autism Society
of America. (2008, January 23). Treatment options. Retrieved April 22, 2009,
from http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=life_treat
This site offers information on the importance of
early treatment in the face of no cure for Autism.
·
Autism Speaks.
(2009). What is autism? An overview. Retrieved April 22, 2009, from http://www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/index.php?WT.svl=Top_Nav
Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding global
biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for
autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on
individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with
the hardships of this disorder. The site is full of researched based
information, videos, statistical data and much more.
·
MayoClinic.
(2009, April 22). Autism. Retrieved April 22, 2009, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism/DS00348
This is a clinical site that provides a current
definition, symptoms, causes, risk factors, advice, treatments and drugs, and
coping and support information. In
addition, the site links to like research through direct assess links to
articles.
·
National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes. (2009, February 27). Autism
fact sheet. Retrieved April 22, 2009, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
Autism fact sheet will provide you an overview of
autism, treatment, and signs. But the fact sheet does not stop there. It
provides information on the role inheritance plays, symptoms that may change
over time, and contact information for more research.
Databases
Databases are a great way to search a topic online if you are interested
in finding a variety of electronic sources to work with. One database search
may pull up articles, abstracts, journals, books, book chapters, or videos on
your subject. Like encyclopedias and dictionaries, databases can be a good
starting place for electronic searching.
·
Gale Cengage
Learning. Academic onefile. Farmington
Hills, MI: Cengage Learning Inc. Electronic Database.
Academic OneFile provides peer-reviewed, full-text articles from
the world's leading journals and reference sources.
·
Eric project. ERIC, Education resources information center.
Washington, D.C.: ERIC Project. Electronic Database.
ERIC provides education literature to support the
use of educational research and information that improves practice in learning,
teaching, educational decision-making, and research.
·
Gale Cengage Learning. Expanded academic ASAP. Farmington Hills, MI: Cengage Learning Inc.
Electronic Database.
Expanded Academic ASAP contains more than 3,500
indexed and full-text titles — of which 2,100 are peer-reviewed — in all disciplines.
Offers more than 20 years of back file coverage and an interface that provides
successful searches.
·
Gale Cengage
Learning. Health & wellness resource
center. Farmington Hills, MI: Cengage Learning Inc. Electronic Database.
Health & Wellness Resource Center provides up-to-date reference material, full-text magazines, journals, and pamphlets
from a variety of authoritative medical sources. Consumers, students, and
professionals are provided with descriptions of and links to many pertinent
websites, selected for their usefulness and appropriateness.
·
Gale Cengage
Learning. Health reference center
academic. Farmington Hills, MI: Cengage Learning Inc. Electronic Database.
This database integrates the full text and images
of nursing, allied health and medical journals, consumer health magazines,
newsletters, pamphlets, newspaper articles, topical overviews, and reference
books.
·
U.S. national
library of medicine. Medline plus.
Bethesda, MD.: U.S. national library of medicine. Electronic Database.
“Medline Plus brings together
authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
and other government agencies and health-related organizations. Preformulated
MEDLINE searches are included in Medline Plus and give easy access to medical
journal articles. Medline Plus also has extensive information about drugs, an
illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest
health news.” (Medline Plus).
·
Facts on file.
Science online. NY: Facts on File.
Electronic Database.
Facts On File is a publisher of print and online
reference materials for the school and library market and has been in the
publishing business since 1941.
Audio/Visual
Resources
Many people
find videos and DVD’s to be helpful resources allowing the researcher a visual
view of the content.
This DVD was
created for the show 60 Minutes reporting that behavioral scientist are
researching to identify early symptoms of autism in infants so that it can be
diagnosed as early as possible.
Sughrue, K. 60 minutes.
Diagnosis: Autism. New York:
CBS Video, 2007. Visual Material.
Kimberly Davis
School of Library and Information Science
University of South Florida
Created: April 16, 2009
Updated: April