To answer parents' questions about autism spectrum disorders, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a collection of interviews with pediatricians, researchers and parents.Click on the questions or descriptions below to hear responses to individual questions, or click on the link to listen to an entire interview.

	Dr. Paul CarboneNavigating an autism diagnosis and treatment			Dr. Susan LevyAutism screening and diagnosis			Dr. Max WiznitzerPrevalence and causes of autism			Dr. Patricia Manning-CourtneyCommon autism therapies
	Dr. Susan HymanComplementary and alternative therapies for autism			Ken ReibelA father learns about autism after his son is diagnosed			Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, Dr. Susan Hyman, Dr. Catherine RiceAutism: A discussion with experts

		Paul Carbone, MD, FAAP(Recorded March 2010) Dr. Paul Carbone is a general pediatrician at the University of Utah, where he provides primary care to children with a focus on those with disabilities. He also has a consultative clinic through the university that focuses on the care of children with autism spectrum disorders. His son, Ben, has autism. Listen to the entire interview -- Choose an individual question -- When did you first notice a difference in your son? How was your son diagnosed? Can you access programs for your children before they are diagnosed? Where should families go for resources and information about autism? Do you have other kids? Are they on the spectrum? Can you talk about the therapies and how they've helped your son? How long was Ben on the diet? How do you talk to parents who want to try diets or therapies? How did you set therapy goals? How should families approach therapies? Do you have a good partnership with Ben's pediatrician? How has Ben's autism diagnosis affected your family? How is Ben doing now? What advice would you give families who are just facing a new diagnosis? Edited transcript
		Susan Levy, MD, FAAP(Recorded February 2010) Dr. Susan Levy is a developmental pediatrician and medical director of the Regional Autism Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Autism Subcommittee. Research interests include early identification and treatment of autism, and complementary and alternative medical treatments of autism. Listen to the entire interview -- Choose an individual question -- What is autism? What are the early signs of autism? When should children be screened for autism? When is autism usually detected? How early can autism be diagnosed? Who diagnoses autism, a pediatrician or different specialist? If a parent suspects a child has autism, what should they do? Can you describe step-by-step what should happen next? What should parents expect from their pediatrician? Any final advice for families going through this process? Edited transcript
		Max Wiznitzer, MD, FAAP(Recorded February 2010) Dr. Max Wiznitzer is a pediatric neurologist at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and an associate professor of pediatric neurology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He is a liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children with Disabilities. Listen to the entire interview -- Choose an individual question -- How common is autism? Are the numbers going up? Are we in this midst of an epidemic? How broad is the autism spectrum? Why differences in autism prevalence among different groups? What causes autism? What medications or what chemicals might be playing a role? What role does the immune system play? What about vaccines and autism? Is there a relationship with gastrointestinal disorders? Can autism be prevented? What would you tell parents who are worried about having an autistic child? Edited transcript
		Patricia Manning-Courtney, MD, FAAP(Recorded March 2010) Dr. Patricia Manning-Courtney is a developmental pediatrician and is director of the Kelly O'Leary Center for Pervasive Developmental Disorders at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, a multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Autism Subcommittee. Listen to the entire interview -- Choose an individual question -- What are the most common therapies for children diagnosed with autism? Let's talk a little bit about building a communication system. What does that mean? Now, you talked about applied behavioral analysis. Can you explain what that is? What could a parent expect if they're taking their child for this therapy? Would you say that most children with an autism diagnosis get this therapy? If families are having trouble paying for these services, what would you suggest? What other therapies have been proven to help with an autism diagnosis? Can you tell me a little bit more about early intervention? What does it refer to? Doctor, can autism be cured? Would it be difficult to say why some children seem to lose their autism diagnosis? What is the best way for doctors and parents to set goals for these therapies? Does the team provide psychological support to the family throughout this process? Are there other supports in the community that they might find? Is there anything else you'd like to tell us today about autism therapies? Edited transcript
		Susan Hyman, MD, FAAP(Recorded February 2010) Dr. Susan Hyman is a developmental and behavioral pediatrician. She is chief of the Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong at the University of Rochester. She is chairperson of the Autism Subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to clinical practice, her research relates to diagnosis and treatment of autism and related disorders. Listen to the entire interview -- Choose an individual question -- What guidance would you offer parents who want to try alternative treatments? Can you talk about vitamin regimens that are sometimes used by parents? What about special diets, such as the gluten-free, casein-free diet? Is there any harm to trying a diet like this? Do you have advice for parents? Some families are trying hyperbaric oxygen for autism. Can that help? What about chelation? How do you know if a complementary therapy is actually helping a child? How do you counsel parents? How should they approach that? What other complementary and alternative therapies do you find promising? Are complementary and alternative therapies covered by insurance? How should they coordinate therapies with their pediatrician? Do you have any final thoughts? Edited transcript
		Ken Reibel(Recorded April 2009) Ken Reibel is the father of a son who has autism spectrum disorder, and the creator of the blog Autism News Beat. Listen to the entire interview -- Choose an individual question -- How old was your son when he was diagnosed with autism? Was that a difficult diagnosis to hear as a parent? What do you think caused Chris's autism? Why do you think some parents blame vaccines? Did you ever think vaccines might be a cause of your son's autism? What treatments have been most effective for your son? Can you describe applied behavioral analysis, or ABA? Have you tried any alternative treatments for Chris? Why do you think some parents try alternative treatments for autism? What advice do you have for parents who are getting an autism diagnosis? What inspired you to start your blog, Autism News Beat? How is Chris doing now? Are you hopeful for the future? Edited transcript
		Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD Susan Hyman, MD, FAAP Catherine Rice, PhD (Recorded August 2007) Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen is professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge and fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge. He is director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) in Cambridge. Dr. Catherine Rice is a behavioral scientist at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her current work at CDC involves tracking the rates of ASD in Atlanta and working with state partners to establish ongoing monitoring systems for ASD around the United States. Dr. Susan Hyman is chief of the Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong at the University of Rochester. She is chairperson of the Autism Subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This audio recording was originally created for PREP Audio, the continuing medical education program developed by AAP to help pediatricians stay current on topics relevant to their practice. Listen to the entire interview Edited transcript