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.

The Psychiatry of Adult Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A practical guide introduces adult psychiatrists, including sub-specialist psychiatrists, to autism and Asperger syndrome.

Autism spectrum disorder has received increasing research in recent years, with more information on assessment and treatment than can be readily assimilated from primary literature by clinicians. Clinical Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders summarizes evidence-based assessments and intervention for Autism across the life-span, providing clinicians with a practical overview of how best to assess and treat this disorder. The book begins with a discussion of what warrants a determination of being "evidence based" and a description of the disorder from a life span perspective. The book also provides a chapter on differential diagnosis of autism relative to other disorders. What follows are separate sections on assessment and intervention. These chapters discuss first how to assess and then separately how to treat behavioral problems, communication and social skills issues, academic and vocational skills, and the use of pharmacology and an assessment of possible pharmacological effects. Intended for practitioners assessing and treating children with developmental delays, the book provides clinicians with best practices for assessing and treating delays associated with autism. - Covers the full range of Autism Spectrum Disorders - Covers the lifespan - Focuses on evidence-based assessment and treatment

In recent years, a growing number of children and adults have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a neurological condition characterized by severe difficulties with social communication. While extremely talented in their areas of special interest, many with the diagnosis also have problems with coordination and sensory processing. Professionals and families struggle to help them function competently and make the most of their unique abilities. This readable and practical book synthesizes the latest knowledge about how to do so in various contexts from early childhood on. The authors include psychologists, psychiatrists, special educators, an occupational therapist, a specialist in communication disorders, and a lawyer, with diverse philosophies and methods of intervention. They suggest a variety of ways to help those with Asperger's adapt to the "neurotypical" world, and to bridge the social chasms that can develop as they are integrated into schools, organizations, and communities. Asperger's Syndrome: Intervening in Schools, Clinics, and Communities constitutes a vital resource for all those who seek to improve the lives of individuals with the syndrome.

In this book a group of international experts guide the reader through the clinical features of adults with autism spectrum disorders, describe the care needs of patients and their families, explain the evolution of the disorders into old age, and highlight what can be done to help. Detailed attention is paid to the medical and psychiatric problems of adults with these disorders and the approach to their education and professional integration. In addition, expert neuroscientists summarize current views on the neurobiology of autism. Autism spectrum disorders are devastating neurodevelopmental disorders. Although diagnosis and therapeutic interventions usually take place in infancy, they are chronic lifelong conditions. Surprisingly, the literature on autism spectrum disorders in adults is scarce. Moreover, most mental health professionals working with adults have little training in autism, and adult mental health services around the world are rarely prepared to address the needs of these patients, which tend to increase with age. This book therefore fills a crucial gap in the literature and will prove useful for all who care for and deal with adults in the Autistic Spectrum.

The newest edition of the most comprehensive handbook on autism and related disorders Since the original edition was first published more than a quarter of a century ago, The Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Volume 1: Diagnosis, Development, and Brain Mechanisms, has been the most influential reference work in the field of autism and related conditions. The new, updated Fourth Edition takes into account the changes in the disorders' definitions in the DSM-V and ICD-10 that may have profound implications for diagnosis and, by extension, access to services. Along with providing practical clinical advice--including the role of psychopharmacology in treatment—the handbook codifies the ever-expanding current body of research throughout both volumes , offering a wealth of information on the epidemiology of autism and the genetic, environmental, biochemical, social, and neuropathological aspects of the disorder. Volume 1 includes: Information on outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorders A range of issues and interventions important from infancy, though adolescence and beyond for individuals with autism spectrum disorders Current information about play development, including skills, object play, and interventions Coverage of the state of genetic, biochemical, and neuropathological autism research Chapters on psychopharmacology and medical care in autism and related conditions The new edition includes the relevant updates to help readers stay abreast of the state of this rapidly evolving field and gives them a guide to separate the wheat from the chaff as information about autism proliferates.

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.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis, management and treatment of the psychiatric comorbidities encountered in adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). After discussing key issues in diagnosing ASD in adolescents and adults, the opening part of the book examines the genetics, neuroimaging and neuropsychology of ASD. Several chapters are then devoted to all of the psychiatric comorbidities such as psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders etc. For each disorder, the clinical symptoms, biological basis, diagnostic criteria and treatment options are described in detail. In addition, a special chapter is devoted to people with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to its clear approach, Psychopathology in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders will be an invaluable resource for psychiatrists, psychologists and neuropsychiatrists, as well as allied mental health professionals, caring for these patients.

Over the last fifteen years, developmentalists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, educators and clinicians have considered the acquisition of a theory of mind - the capacity to predict and explain behavior on the basis of internal, subjective mental states - to be one of the crucial cognitive achievements of early childhood. This volume represents the first collection of work to address, empirically and conceptually, the topic of individual differences in theory of mind. It is also unique because it takes the reader beyond the preschool years, to explore theory of mind development in late childhood and adulthood.

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.