Understanding Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism

This volume is designed to provide an overview of Asperger’s Syndrome/High Functioning Autism for professionals, parents, and others concerned about these conditions. It is part of the library series that has been created for the many people interested in the field of autism spectrum disorders who want up-to-date, authoritative infor- tion without having to locate and read through the original sources. Our goal in this series is to review, synthesize, and organize the inf- mation so that it can be presented comprehensively and clearly. This volume is the culmination of over a decade of clinical work identifying, organizing, writing, and editing the most current infor- tion available about this high functioning group of people with autism spectrum disorders from current reputable sources. The book explores the history and emphasizes the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of these people and their families. We hope that we have done justice to this extensive literature so that it can be of use to these people th- selves as well as to their many friends, colleagues, and families, and to the interested citizens who are seeking more information about this intriguing area of inquiry.

"Dr. Mesibov and colleagues demystify in clear simple language the confusing diagnostic nomenclature applied to the disorders on the autistic spectrum... Strengths of the book are its evenhandedness in a field where opinionated views are often presented as dogma, and its resolutely practical approach, for instance, giving addresses, phone numbers, or websites in text where particular resources are cited... Above all I appreciate the authors' successful attempt at clarifying the major issues that befuddle both parents and professionals who deal with these children, adolescents, and adults."
(Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology (March 2002)
"The recognition that people with Asperger Syndrome differ from each other and have an individual profile of impairments and needs is a relatively recent one in professional circles. Less has been written about psychological assessment and much less has been written about intervention. This book's attention to both will be welcomed by parents and sufferers, as well as professionals."
(Digby Tantam in Contemporary Psychology, 48:3 (2003)