Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General—Executive Summary.

Source:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (1999)

Layperson Summary:

This overview by the U.S. Surgeon General states that Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is the most proven method for treating autism.

This authoritative review describes, in general terms, the causes, diagnosis and treatment of many mental health disorders. It also includes a useful chapter on organizing and financing mental health services. In the section focusing on autism in children, the Surgeon General describes autism as a "severely compromised ability to engage in, and by a lack of interest in, social interactions."€ The section outlines progress in the understanding of the causes of autism, including potential causes linked to genetics and brain function. Finally, the section focuses on treatment for autism in children. In this portion, the Surgeon General describes ABA and several medicines that have been shown to be useful in treating autism, including haloperidol and fluoxetine.

Scientific Abstract

page last updated 11/14/2006

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