About the Book
Usually diagnosed in childhood, Asperger syndrome is a lifelong social disorder that bears many similarities to high-functioning autism. Individuals with the disorder are characterized by a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversations, clumsy movements, and intense absorption in special interests. This groundbreaking volume brings together prominent scholars and practitioners to offer a definitive statement of what is currently known about Asperger syndrome and to highlight promising leads in research and clinical practice. Diagnostic and conceptual issues are explored in depth, and the disorder's assessment, treatment, and neurobiology are thoroughly reviewed. The book examines the effects of Asperger syndrome on an individual's social, communication, and behavioral development, and identifies the challenges that these individuals face at home, in school and the workplace, and in other settings.
Table of Contents:
Part I. Behavioural Aspects 1. Diagnostic Issues in Asperger Syndrome, Volker, Klin 2. Neuropsychological Function and the External Validity of Asperger Syndrome. Ozonoff, Griffith 3. Motor Functioning in Asperger Syndrome, Smith 4. Social Language Use in Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism, LandaPart II. Family Genetics and Neurobiological Aspects 5. Does Asperger Syndorme Aggregate in Families? Folstein, Santangelo 6. Neurofunctional Models of Autistic Disorder and Asperger Syndrome: Clues from Neuroimaging, Schultz, Romanski, Tsatsanis 7. Psychopharmalogical Treatment of Higher-Functioning Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Martin, Patzer, VolkmarPart III. Related Diagnositc Constructs 8. Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and Asperger Syndrome, Rourke, Tsatsanis 9. What's So Special about Asperger Syndrome?: The Need for Further Exploration of the Borderlands of Autism, Bishop 10. Schizoid Personality in Childhood and Asperger Syndrome, WolffPart IV. Assessment, Treatment and Intervention, and Adulthood 11. Assessment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndorme, Klin, Sparrow, Marans, Carter, Volkmar 12. Treatment and Interventions Guidelines for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome, Klin, Volkmar 13. Adolescence and Adulthood of Individuals with Asperger Syndrome, TantamPart V. Perspectives on Researdh and Clinical Practice, and Parent Essyas 14. Assessment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome, Szatmari 15. Past and Future of Research Asperger Syndrome, Wing 16. Parent Essays: Introduction. "Walter," Wallace "A View from Inside," Shery "How Dod We Get Here?" Rietschel "First Advocates" Hyatt-Foley, Foley.
About the Author :
Ami Klin, PhD, is the Harris Associate Professor of Child Psychology and Psychiatry at Yale University's Child Study Center. Dr. Klin is the author of more than 60 articles and chapters in the field of autism and related disorders, and has coordinated a series of federally funded research studies focused on Asperger syndrome. His main research interests involve the neuropsychology and social cognition of disorders of socialization. Fred R. Volkmar, MD, is Professor of Child Psychiatry, Psychology, and Pediatrics at Yale University's Child Study Center. Dr. Volkmar is the author of more than 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of autism and related disorders. He is an editor of the second edition of the Handbook of Autism, chair of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's committee on autism, and an associate editor of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Sara S. Sparrow, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Chief Psychologist at Yale University's Child Study Center. Dr. Sparrow is the author of more than 100 articles and chapters in the fields of psychological assessment and developmental disabilities, and the senior author of one of the most widely used psychological instruments, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Her main research interests involve the assessment of adaptive behavior, child neuropsychology, and developmental disabilities.
Review :
"This is clearly the most comprehensive, thorough, and up-to-date text of its kind. Written by an international team of experts, the book demonstrates a deep understanding of people with Asperger syndrome and the situation in which they often find themselves: too bright and articulate to qualify easily for supportive services, too impaired to function well without support. Clinicians, researchers, and graduate students in child clinical psychology, child and adult psychiatry, and speech and language pathology, among others, will appreciate the volume's clinical depth and scientific breadth. Adults with AS and parents of children with AS will find it a veritable encyclopedia. The knowledge provided here can help to maximize the resources and supports available to people with AS, enabling them to fulfill their potentials and lead more satisfying, productive lives." --Sally J. Rogers, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO "This is an exemplary text on an uncharted but highly prevalent disorder. Leading researchers in the field present solid data garnered from behavioral, neuropsychological, and neurobiological perspectives. Beyond its significance to clinicians and researchers working in the area of Asperger syndrome, the book also poses provocative and important questions for those who are interested in the social and emotional development of individuals with learning disabilities. This book fills a void in training programs that recognize the importance of social competence in the lives of vulnerable children." --Audrey McMahon, GSE, Professional Advisory Board, Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDAA)
"In this much-anticipated publication, Klin, Volkmar, and Sparrow have done a masterful job of compiling decades of research on Asperger syndrome from some of the world's top practitioners. This book offers the most up-to-date information on the disorder and elucidates strategies for further advancing research and clinical practice. This volume should be a mandatory addition to the reference libraries of all AS scholars, clinicians, and parents who want to further their understanding of this social disability." --Echo R. Fling, President, Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the United States, Inc. (ASC-U.S.), and author of "Eating an Artichoke: A Mother's Perspective on Asperger Syndrome."
.,."this is such an extraordinary book that a case can easily be made for its value to a wide range of clinical psychologists and clinical researchers....Klin, Volkmar, and Sparrow's "Asperger Syndrome "is an edited book with chapters by many of the best-known and most-respected researchers and clinicians in the field, including the editors themselves and Sally Ozonoff, Peter Szatmari, and Lorna Wing. Because of this, it is essential reading for anyone working specifically in the area of autism spectrum disorders....a valuable resource that can be cited by community-based clinicians who serve as advocates for their clients, because the issues they describe are sadly familiar...."Asperger Syndrome "is both an important scholarly work and a superb resource for clinical practice. It is clear that this particular disorder is at the juncture of developmental disabilities and broader mental health disorders. In light of this, familiarity with AS and related conditions is valuable for both practicing clinicians and researchers."--"Contemporary Psychology"
"As a compendium of current research and practice on Asperger Disorder, this book has no equal."--"Child and Family Behavior Therapy"
.,."a wealth of information drawn from twenty-seven contributors from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada to present an extremely comprehensive yet readable overview of this condition....the most current information available on this puzzling topic. School (and other) psychologists will benefit from having this text in their libraries not only for their own personal use but also to share with parents and other professionals (e.g., speech pathologists, occupationaltherapists)."--"Communique"
"This is a thorough and sorely needed review of the research, diagnostic process, treatment options, and outcomes associated with Asperger's syndrome (AS). Written for professionals, the volume is research-based, and in this relatively new field of study, is as useful in elucidating the questions still requiring investigations as in describing what is currently known....Of special interest to neuropsychologists may be the chapter reviewing neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies of AS, from which inferences can be drawn about potential neurodevelopmental processes leading to the manifestations of this disorder....This volume's most significant contributions are the compilation of existing knowledge and the direction of further study needed in this field."--"Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society"
.,."a well-organized summary of existing AS research, [that] provide(s) readers with a solid understanding of this issues and the current state of knowledge....If knowledge is power, then this compendium of AS knowledge is the most powerful tool parents, clinicians, and researchers can and must, have at their fingertips." --"The Source"
.,."a comprehensive book....The book is well written, and it is sufficiently advanced to offer new information to professionals who have expertise in the disorder yet clear enough that most sections can be understood by an educated parent or teacher. It is clearly the book that people who are interested in Asperger's disorder must have....This book pushes us ahead another significant step by defining what we need to know about this spectrum of disorders to help the children who have them grow ashealthily as possible." --"Psychiatric Services"
