Understanding Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism / Edition 1

by Gary B. Mesibov, Victoria Shea, Lynn W. Adams

Overview

This volume is designed to provide an overview of Asperger’s Syndrome/High Functioning Autism for professionals, parents, and others concerned about these conditions. It is part of the library series that has been created for the many people interested in the field of autism spectrum disorders who want up-to-date, authoritative infor- tion without having to locate and read through the original sources. Our goal in this series is to review, synthesize, and organize the inf- mation so that it can be presented comprehensively and clearly. This volume is the culmination of over a decade of clinical work identifying, organizing, writing, and editing the most current infor- tion available about this high functioning group of people with autism spectrum disorders from current reputable sources. The book explores the history and emphasizes the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of these people and their families. We hope that we have done justice to this extensive literature so that it can be of use to these people th- selves as well as to their many friends, colleagues, and families, and to the interested citizens who are seeking more information about this intriguing area of inquiry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306466267
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	08/31/2001
Series:	The Autism Spectrum Disorders Library , #1
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.35(d)

About the Author

Mesibov, Gary B.; Shea, Victoria; Adams, Lynn W.

Table of Contents

Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism.- Diagnosis and Classification.- Psychological Assessment of Asperger Syndrome.- Interventions.- Final Thoughts.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Samuel Alan Holcombe, M.Ed.(Cermak Health Services)
Description: This title compares Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism. It provides histories of the diagnoses and information for differentiating between them.
Purpose: The objective is to provide an overview of Asperger's syndrome and high functioning autism. This is a worthy objective because there is a general lack of information about both disorders. The authors meet the objective.
Audience: According to the authors, the book is written for parents and professionals. The authors were credible authorities.
Features: The book covers the histories of both disorders as well as issues appropriate to clinicians, such as diagnosis and interventions. The sections that provide information about differential diagnosis are particularly helpful, because the disorders are similar. I would have liked to have seen more in-depth case studies. The ones that are provided are quite brief and do not illustrate treatment techniques in as much detail as I would have liked.
Assessment: I think the book is generally high quality. It is clear and relevant, and provides useful diagnostic and treatment information. I am not an authority on either disorder, and it is useful for widening my skills as a practitioner.

Doody's Review Service

"Dr. Mesibov and colleagues demystify in clear simple language the confusing diagnostic nomenclature applied to the disorders on the autistic spectrum... Strengths of the book are its evenhandedness in a field where opinionated views are often presented as dogma, and its resolutely practical approach, for instance, giving addresses, phone numbers, or websites in text where particular resources are cited... Above all I appreciate the authors' successful attempt at clarifying the major issues that befuddle both parents and professionals who deal with these children, adolescents, and adults."

(Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology (March 2002)

"The recognition that people with Asperger Syndrome differ from each other and have an individual profile of impairments and needs is a relatively recent one in professional circles. Less has been written about psychological assessment and much less has been written about intervention. This book's attention to both will be welcomed by parents and sufferers, as well as professionals."

(Digby Tantam in Contemporary Psychology, 48:3 (2003)

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Samuel Alan Holcombe, M.Ed.(Cermak Health Services)
Description: This title compares Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism. It provides histories of the diagnoses and information for differentiating between them.
Purpose: The objective is to provide an overview of Asperger's syndrome and high functioning autism. This is a worthy objective because there is a general lack of information about both disorders. The authors meet the objective.
Audience: According to the authors, the book is written for parents and professionals. The authors were credible authorities.
Features: The book covers the histories of both disorders as well as issues appropriate to clinicians, such as diagnosis and interventions. The sections that provide information about differential diagnosis are particularly helpful, because the disorders are similar. I would have liked to have seen more in-depth case studies. The ones that are provided are quite brief and do not illustrate treatment techniques in as much detail as I would have liked.
Assessment: I think the book is generally high quality. It is clear and relevant, and provides useful diagnostic and treatment information. I am not an authority on either disorder, and it is useful for widening my skills as a practitioner.