Editorial Preface.

The article provides information about the papers on various medical topics published in the February 2003 issue of "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder." The first set of papers are concerned with developmental course and outcome in autism and related conditions. In the first paper Dr. Patricia Howlin is concerned with the issue of differentiating high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. The next several papers have to do with aspects assessment. They report on the use of the newly revised Leiter intelligence scale in low-functioning children with autism. The last two papers in this issue are brief reports. The paper concerned with the behavioral adjustment of siblings of a child with autism. The results suggest an increased risk for problems in adjustment and further underscore the importance of working with the entire family as part of clinical care the child with autism.