title: Current research findings on childhood autism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the main areas of current research findings regarding the core deficits in autism and the implications of these findings for the practicing clinician.
  
  
  METHODS
  Behavioural, cognitive, emotional and neurophysiological aspects are covered with an emphasis on the importance of methodology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The implication of these findings for the treatment of autism is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autism can teach us how we learn about emotions and the possibility of sensitive periods of development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles 90024-1759, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sigman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arbelle
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dissanayake
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D010553:Personality Development; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012917:Social Adjustment