Division TEACCH, located in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was one of the first programs in the country to understand that autism was an organic rather than a biologic condition. We were also one of the earliest programs to recognize the enormous variability in characteristics and behaviors of children described as autistic. For these reasons, the processes of diagnosis and assessment have always been important and central to our program. We are therefore extremely pleased to have a volume representing the most current thinking of the field's leaders in these important areas. As with the preceding books in our series, Current Issues in Autism, this volume is based on one of the annual TEACCH conferences held in Chapel Hill each May. The books are not simply published proceedings of the conference papers, however. Rather, conference participants are asked to develop a full chapter around their presentations. Other international experts whose work is beyond the scope of the conference, but related to the major theme, are asked to contribute chapters as well. These volumes are designed to provide the most current knowledge in research and professional practice available on the most important issues defining and clarifying autism.

and Overview.- to Diagnosis and Assessment of Autism.- Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders.- Public Policy and Its Impact on Children with Autism.- Diagnostic Classification for the Clinician.- What's in a Name?.- Diagnostic Issues.- Classification and Diagnosis of Childhood Autism.- The Continuum of Autistic Characteristics.- Multiaxial Diagnostic Approaches.- Psychometric Instruments Available for the Assessment of Autistic Children.- General Assessment Issues.- Behavioral Assessment of Autism.- Intellectual and Developmental Assessment of Autistic Children from Preschool to Schoolage.- Assessing the Quality of Living Environments.- Family Assessment in Autism.- Nutrition and Developmental Disabilities.- Special Issues.- Diagnosis and Assessment of Autistic Adolescents and Adults.- Diagnosis and Subclassification of Autism.- Assessment in the Classroom.- Diagnosis and Assessment of Preschool Children.- Assessment of Low-Functioning Children.