Asperger Syndrome [Hardcover]

Ami Klin (Editor), Sara S. Sparrow (Editor), Fred R. Volkmar (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572305347 | ISBN-13: 978-1572305342 | Publication Date: February 18, 2000 | Edition: 1

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 and the victories --of life with a child with Asperger syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

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."

From the Back Cover

"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."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 489 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (February 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572305347
• ISBN-13: 978-1572305342
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #657,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. is Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology and Director of the Yale University Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine. He is also the Chief of Child Psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT. A graduate of the University of Illinois where he received in undergraduate degree in psychology in 1972 and of Stanford University where he received his MD and a master's degree in psychology in 1976 Dr. Volkmar was the primary author of the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV autism and pervasive developmental disorders section. He is the author of several hundred scientific papers and chapters as well as a number of books including Asperger's Syndrome (Guilford Press), Health Care for Children on the Autism Spectrum (Woodbine Publiushing), and the Handbook of Autism (Wiley Publishing) with three books forcoming. He has served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and the American Journal of Psychiatry and now serves as Editor of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. He has served as co-chairperson of the autism/intellectual disabilities committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition to having directed the internationally known autism clinic he also served as director of autism research at Yale before becoming chairperson of the Department. Dr. Volkmar has been the principal investigator of three program project grants including a CPEA (Collaborative Program of Excellent in Autism) grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and a STAART (Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment) Autism Center Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Reference Book, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome (Hardcover)

This book is much more than I expected. Most books on Aspergers Syndrome just touch on the basics. This book really digs deeply into all areas of AS. It is well organized and has indepth and thorough material on the subject. It is divided into 5 sections which make it easy to browse to get immediate answers. The book reminds me of a graduate level college textbook but still is easy to understand, especially for parents who already have a basic understanding of Aspergers. I received my copy yesterday and after thumbing through the book couldn't put it down until I finished it. I especially enjoyed the parent essays that were included in the book.

I would recommend this book to educators, clinicians, parents and anyone interested in learning more about Aspergers. I will be giving a copy of this book to the clinician at my child's school.

62 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous information--if you can read it!, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome (Hardcover)

This book brings together some of the most current thinking from some of the foremost researchers, scientists and professionals in the field. I found it very informative and valuable. However, it is highly technical and very difficult to read unless you also have a Ph.D or are an experienced reader in this area. Not for beginners, best for educators and professionals.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Latest In Journal Papers, March 16, 2001

By 

David K. M. Klaus "David K. M. Klaus" (St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome (Hardcover)

Actually, that's four stars with a strong qualifier -- this is a fairly dense book for most laypeople. A collection of medical journal articles with some parent essays tacked on at the end, and intended for parents of A.S. kids rather than A.S. adults (although it does have some material for them, too), this unfortunately is more useful for the professionals for whom the articles were originally written than for parents. There's a lot of important information buried in here, but for most people it'll be difficult to access.