Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism? (Current Issues in Autism) [Hardcover]

Eric Schopler (Editor), Gary B. Mesibov (Editor), Linda J. Kunce (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0306457466 | ISBN-13: 978-0306457463 | Publication Date: May 15, 1998 | Edition: 1

The precise relationship between high-functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome is still a subject of debate. This volume provides a general overview of the disorder and present diverse opinions on diagnosis and assessment, neuropsychological issues, treatment, and related conditions. A special section features personal essays by individuals diagnosed with autism or Asperger Syndrome. The result is a comprehensive and useful survey of the current state of the field that will be of great interest to clinicians, teachers, researchers, and parents.

Editorial Reviews

Review

".....clearly written discussions of diagnosis, phenomenology, and interventions in autistic spectrum disorders..........Fascinating accounts of HFA and AS give some access to the unusual subjective worlds of people affected by these disorders." (A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health, (March 1999) "This is a book that should be in medical libraries, and on the shelves of many child and adolescent psychiatrics. " (Canadian Child Psychiatry Review, 10:3 (2001)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 428 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (May 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306457466
• ISBN-13: 978-0306457463
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #465,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thoughtful & Balanced Approach, October 29, 2000

By 

Larry Cashion - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism? (Current Issues in Autism) (Hardcover)

This text contains a combination of literature reviews, empirical research, and case histories to show a balanced approach to the Autism/Aspergers diagnostic categorisation debate. While the editors clearly state their belief that what is knowns as Aspergers Syndrome is a misnomer of High Functioning Austism, they have included a critical set of papers which contain strong evidence that Aspergers is indeed a seperate, yet related, condition. It is left to the reader to analyse all the information presented and arrive their own conclusion - or to inspire further research in an attempt to answer so many outstanding questions. For me, I thought it an excellent addition to my psychology library, and complimentary to the works of Uta Frith and Frances Happe. And I favour Aspergers as a distinct diagnostic category in the Autistic spectrum.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Constructs Premature Popularization, March 11, 2005

By 

C. Stephens (Appleton, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism? (Current Issues in Autism) (Hardcover)

The final chapter of this text: "Premature Popularization of Asperger Syndrome" by one of the editors (Dr. Eric Schopler) and reflects a view that appreciates the historical forest in a controversy that has spanned many decades. The sheer experience that Dr. Schopler brings to this commentary is paralleled by few. His previous written contributions in this field and the pioneering contributions of Chapel Hill, North Carolina's Division TEACCH (previously led by Dr. Schopler, now led by co-editor Dr. Gary Mesibov) provide great testimony to the focused academic expertise and clinical savvy behind this work. Having been a clinician invested in understanding autism since the days of Bruno Bettleheim and having been a part of the dramatic evolutions in theoretical understanding of Autism that have ensued, Dr. Schopler's observation of the factors operative in the popularization of the Asperger construct should not be taken lightly. His appreciation that clinical formulations and empirical investigations have failed to identify a valid clinical subgroup come from seasoning in this area that few investigators can match. The cultural influences involved in the current situation are clearly explained in this chapter. While the other chapters in this text provide for a nice panorama of perspectives, there is great weight behind the editors stance regarding the phenomenon being studied. This text gives us serious reason to take pause and think critically about the current DSM-IV-TR nosology. "Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism?" is an absolute 'must read' for serious clinicians and researchers working in this area.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of high-functioning autism aka Asperger's, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism? (Current Issues in Autism) (Hardcover)

The book offers a highly useful, carefully considered selection of essays on HFA or Asperger's, including documents written by those affected by the disorder. Highly recommended!