Asperger Syndrome and Psychotherapy: Understanding Asperger Perspectives

by Paula Jacobsen

Overview

People with Asperger Syndrome (AS) understand and respond to the world in a very different way from people without this condition. The challenge for psychotherapists working with Asperger clients lies in setting aside their own preconceptions and learning to understand their client's perspective. Behaviour that, in a 'neurotypical' client, may be evidence of a problem, in an Asperger client may simply be a manifestation of Asperger ways of approaching the world. Paula Jacobsen, an experienced child psychotherapist, demonstrates how to interpret classic analytic and psychodynamic theories in relation to people with AS and explains how revised theories of mind, executive functioning and central coherence have helped provide new concepts and language with which to properly articulate the experiences of those with AS. The importance of the therapeutic relationship, case management, the need for collaboration between professionals, school consultation and educational needs of children with AS are also discussed at length, and illustrated with case studies. Providing an in-depth analysis of AS from a psychotherapist's point of view, this original book makes compelling reading for parents, families, teachers and those with AS, as well as for professionals in this area.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846426131
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	01/28/2003
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Paula Jacobsen is a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker and is part of the West Valley Group Association of Psychotherapists in California. She has thirty years experience as a child psychotherapist and was also a Clinical Faculty supervisor in the Child Psychiatry Division at Stanford University. More recently, she has taught education courses for psychologists and clinical social workers and these have predominantly focused on the clinical presentation, clinical interventions, and case management of Asperger Syndrome.
Paula Jacobsen, a licensed clinical social worker, is a psychotherapist in private practice in Los Gatos, California. She has thirty-eight years' experience as a child psychotherapist, and she provides supervision as an adjunct clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. She has taught continuing education courses for child psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and other psychotherapists, and has provided in-service training and consultation to educators. These have predominantly focused on high functioning autism spectrum disorders.

Table of Contents

Preface. Part One: Clinical work with Asperger syndrome. 1. Learning from those who have Asperger syndrome. 2. Theory of mind, executive functioning, and central coherence in Asperger syndrome. 3. Articulating perspective and intention in addressing theory of mind and executive functioning issues. 4. The understanding and communication of information. 5. Addressing commonly occurring issues. 6. Adults and family members. 7. Challenges for the therapist: A few more thoughts. Part Two: Case management. 8. Collaboration with other professionals. 9. Professional services. 10. School collaboration and consultation 11. Preparation of special materials. Afterword. Index.