Checkmate Plus Books

Asperger Syndrome

Edited by Ami Klin, Fred R. Volkmar, and Sara S. Sparrow

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. While Asperger syndrome has received increasing attention from researchers, clinicians, educators, and parents in recent years, numerous central questions about the disorder remain unanswered. This groundbreaking volume brings together preeminent 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. The volume concludes with several parent essays that exemplify the trials and tribulations--as well as the joys and the victories--of life with a child with Asperger syndrome.

Contents

Introduction, Klin, Volkmar, and Sparrow
I. Behavioral Aspects
1. Diagnostic Issues in Asperger Syndrome, Volkmar and Klin
2. Neuropsychological Function and the External Validity of Asperger Syndrome, Ozonoff and Griffith
3. Motor Functioning in Asperger Syndrome, Smith
4. Social Language Use in Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism, Landa
II. Family Genetics and Neurobiological Aspects
5. Does Asperger Syndrome Aggregate in Families?, Folstein and Santangelo
6. Neurofunctional Models of Autistic Disorder and Asperger Syndrome: Clues from Neuroimaging, Schultz, Romanski, and Tsatsanis
7. Psychopharmacological Treatment of Higher-Functioning Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Martin, Patzer, and Volkmar
III. Related Diagnostic Constructs
8. Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and Asperger Syndrome, Rourke and 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, Wolff
IV. Assessment, Treatment and Intervention, and Adulthood
11. Assessment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome, Klin, Sparrow, Marans, Carter, and Volkmar
12. Treatment and Intervention Guidelines for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome, Klin and Volkmar
13. Adolescence and Adulthood of Individuals with Asperger Syndrome, Tantam
V. Perspectives on Research and Clinical Practice, and Parent Essays
14. Perspectives on the Classification of Asperger Syndrome, Szatmari
15. Past and Future of Research on Asperger Syndrome, Wing
16. Parent Essays: Introduction. "Walter," Wallace. "A View from Inside," Shery. "How Did We Get Here?", Rietschel. "First Advocates," Hyatt-Foley and Foley.

Reviews

"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)