This special issue of Annals of Clinical Psychiatry features original research and review articles on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a continuation of our August issue. A recent survey reports a higher prevalence of ASD in the United States—1.1% or 1 in 91 children age 3 to 17—than previously estimated.1 The survey also reports that nearly 40% of children who had been diagnosed with ASD did not currently have the condition. These results reinforce the importance of early recognition and effective interventions for children with ASD.

Background: Twenty years of research on early intensive treatment using applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children with autism has consistently produced robust effects. There appears to be a subset of children whose response to intensive ABA treatments includes achieving a level of functioning that is indistinguishable from typically developing peers. The purpose of this study was to describe a subset of children who recovered from autism following intensive ABA interventions.

Background: We have shown that urine peptide increase is found in
autism, and that some of these peptides have a dietary origin. To be explanatory
for the disease process, a dietary effect on the brain must be
shown to be possible and probable.

Background: Currently, only one medication (risperidone) is FDA- approved for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Perhaps for this reason, the use of novel, unconventional, and off-label treatments for ASD is common, with up to 74% of children with ASD using these treatments; however, treating physicians are often unaware of this usage.

Background: Anecdotal reports and parent surveys have shown evidence that dietary interventions have had some success in ameliorating the symptoms of autism.