A thorough overview of Asperger syndrome for mental health professionals. Despite the dramatic proliferation of research, clinical perspectives, and first-person accounts of Asperger Syndrome (AS) in the last 15 years, much of this information has focused on the application of the diagnosis to children, even though AS displays persistence over time in individuals. This book is one of the only guides to Asperger Syndrome as it manifests itself in adults. It integrates research and clinical experience to provide mental health professionals with a comprehensive discussion of AS in adulthood, covering issues of diagnosis as well as co-morbid psychiatric conditions, psychosocial issues, and various types of interventions—from psychotherapy to psychopharmacology. It also discusses basic diagnostic criteria, controversies about the disorder, and possible interventions and treatments for dealing with the disorder.

Increasing numbers of adults are being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, while children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders - an estimated 300,000 in the UK - are growing up. Until recently, most information has been aimed at children with the condition, or parents. Asperger syndrome (AS) in adulthood brings different challenges, and, crucially, there are far fewer resources. According to I Exist, the National Society for Autism's report on how the needs of autistic adults are ignored, 45% of councils have no process for managing how autistic adults receive support if they don't fulfil the criteria for either learning disability or mental health services. As a result, adults are left to cope alone - and often don't cope well, with depression and other mental health problems as the result. Conversely, some adults with Asperger syndrome have learned to cover up their problems, so signs of the condition will often be quite subtle. This book addresses issues faced by adults with Asperger syndrome, and looks at the potential of adults with Asperger syndrome, exploring how they may contribute on their own terms. Topics include: what does it feel like to have AS? Asperger syndrome: disorder or difference? social relationships, including social strengths such as loyalty and patience; sensory overload and coping with the external environment; Asperger in love - finding and maintaining an intimate relationship; if your partner has Asperger syndrome; employment; help and advice.

First published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Focusing on what is referred to as the Cassandra phenomenon, where the neurotypical partner often needs more emotional guidance than the AS partner, this volume gathers together letters, thoughts and poems to give voice to the loneliness, frustration and love felt by many individuals who are close to one or more people with AS.

This book has been replaced by Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Second Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-3768-6.

A guide to Asperger's syndrome describes what it is and how it is diagnosed, along with information on such topics as bullying, emotions, language, movement, cognitive ability, and long-term relationships.

Autism, including Asperger syndrome, is a strongly heritable condition that can usually be diagnosed in children by the age of two or three years. Although autism is more common in the less intellectually able child, in the more able child the condition is often overlooked until adulthood. Epidemiological research has shown that most adults in the general population meeting the criteria for autism are unrecognized and undiagnosed. There is a growing pressure on psychiatrists to be able to recognize autism and to consider its effects on their adult patients, particularly when they are also showing signs of another mental disorder, such as psychosis, personality disorder, or chronic depression. The Psychiatry of Adult Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A practical guide introduces adult psychiatrists, including sub-specialist psychiatrists, to autism and Asperger syndrome. It covers recognition and diagnosis and the psychiatrist's role in treating patients with co-morbid mental disorder whilst taking account of the autism component. It explores the process of sign-posting patients with autism to appropriate care and support as family involvement diminishes or ceases. While there are a number of books written on how to cope with autism as an adult, The Psychiatry of Adult Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A practical guide is aimed at the practising adult psychiatrist. The book describes normal and pathological functioning and then guides the reader through assessment and post diagnostic intervention issues. The use of fictionalized clinical examples helps to illustrate autism and its presentation in adulthood, and illustrate the issues psychiatrists often raise in training workshops.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of clinical, research and personal perspectives on Asperger Syndrome, including contributions from parents and experts in the fields of psychology, social work, psychiatry, genetics, sexology and vocational counselling. It includes first-hand accounts from adults with AS, highlighting their difficulties in areas such as social competence and education. Specialist perspectives on AS, including sexuality and relationships, finding and keeping employment and anxiety and depression are sensitively addressed. The viewpoints of parents explore experiences of parenting AS individuals. These varied approaches to living with AS complement the emerging literature on theory, research and practice in this area. The broad scope of Children, Youth and Adults with Asperger Syndrome guarantees a wide readership among practitioners, students, parents, young people and adults with AS, educates service providers how to assist people with AS and suggests a model of interdisciplinary collaboration for administrators and funders.

ADHD and Asperger Syndrome in Smart Kids and Adults offers detailed examples of individuals who have above-average cognitive intelligence, but struggle with executive function impairments of ADHD and significant social-emotional impairments of Asperger syndrome. The book centers around twelve case studies of bright children, teens, and adults treated for both ADHD and Asperger syndrome. Each chapter describes diverse examples of their strengths and their difficulties and explains how these individuals can be helped with appropriate treatment to overcome their ADHD impairments and to improve their ability to understand and interact more effectively with others. Case examples are followed by updated, science-based descriptions of these disorders. Providing science-based information about ADHD and Asperger syndrome in clearly understandable, accessible language, this text is ideal for clinicians, educators, social workers, medical and mental health service providers, and parents of those struggling with such impairments. It also advocates for restoring the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome to diagnostic manuals of the American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization.

Thomas Edison. Albert Einstein. Half of NASA. These are all extremely intelligent, successful adults who made great contributions to society and who are also suspected of having the developmental disorder called Asperger Syndrome. This relatively new diagnosis is being increasingly applied to both children and adults-in fact, it is now seen as running in familes. There are a lot of books on how to successfully raise children with AS, but until now, adults were left to figure it out on their own. Dr. Juanita Lovett specializes in treating adults with AS and working with their families. In this book she shows those adults and their loved ones how to maximize the benefits of AS (including intense concentration, above-average intelligence, and high creativity) while minimizing the drawbacks (including lack of social skill, inability to connect emotionally with others, and propensity toward rage). This important new book will help thousands of adults with AS learn to live happier, more fulfilling lives.