This excellent postgraduate textbook provides a broad critical appraisal of psychiatric and behaviour disorders in individuals with developmental/learning disability. The key aim of the book is to link latest research findings with clinical knowledge to inform everyday practice. When I reviewed Nick Bouras' previous (Reference Bouras1994) book five years ago, it was welcomed as a considerable step forward within the speciality of psychiatry of learning disability. This book has surpassed those earlier efforts and highlights the considerable progress that has been made in recent years.

The book is divided into five sections covering classification, diagnosis, treatment, service and specific conditions. This multiprofession book has brought together distinguished researchers and clinicians from Europe, USA, Canada and Australia, to produce a coherent and well-researched account of the subject. Each chapter is of a high standard.

The first section covers assessment and classification from a clear and sensible perspective without the need for a psychiatrist, except for the chapter on brain imaging. The next section reviews specific conditions and includes chapters on autism, behavioural phenotypes, self-injurious behaviour and dementia. It is highly informative and gives a diversity of views from international leaders in those fields. The next section on diagnosis and psychopathology takes a developmental approach and will be appreciated by front-line clinicians for its practical perspective. I found the two chapters on psychopharmacology, although written from experiences in the USA, very useful when comparing UK practices. In the final section on services, the chapter on measuring the outcome of services discusses this complex issue in a very readable way. It is essential for the contemporary clinician to have a good grasp of this topic when considering the demands of clinical governance and evidence-based practice. It is encouraging to see the subjects of staff stress, training and the ongoing education of the multiprofessional team addressed in this book. Services wanting to become high-quality providers in this field are very dependent on the skills and enthusiasm of the professionals and care staff, because of the vulnerability of people with developmental disabilities.

There are other postgraduate textbooks in the speciality which have appeared in recent years that are well written. However, this probably provides the most comprehensive perspective to date. Bouras states that recent advances in this speciality require regular documentation — so I do look forward to future editions.

My only inclusion would have been to add a list of key issues/findings at the end of each chapter for the busy clinician. This textbook is essential reading for the wellestablished professional who wishes to be brought up to date, and for the trainee wanting to gain new knowledge in the field. The book should be on the bookshelf of every departmental library.