Patricia Howlin is Principal Clinical Psychologist at the Maudsley Hospital, London, working mainly with autistic children and those suffering from pervasive developmental disorders. She is also Senior Lecturer in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. She has been involved in research and treatment with autistic children for many years. Her research interests include a follow-up study of autistic individuals, and a comparison of young autistic adults and a matched group of individuals with severe early language delays.

'Patricia Howlin has edited a very useful book ... This book is easy to read and covers the most common problems researchers and clinicians have to deal with in the field of childhood and adolescence psychiatry. I would therefore recommend it.' Johanna Denev, Scandinavian Journal of Behvaiour Therapy '... a very useful book for the treatment of various disorders in children and adolescents, including attention deficit/hyperactivity, conduct disorder, autism, cerebral palsy, communication and learning difficulties and sensory disabilities. This book is easy to read and covers the most common problems researchers and clinicians have to deal with in the field of childhood and adolescence psychiatry. I would therefore recommend it.' Johanna Denev, Scandinavian Journal of Behaviour Therapy

• 1. Introduction; 2. Conduct disorders; 3. Hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders; 4. Autism; 5. Learning disabilities; 6. Communication and language disorders; 7. Sensory difficulties; 8. Developmental problems; 9. Cerebral palsy.