Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Practitioners and Carers / Edition 1

by Patricia Howlin

Overview

This practical guide to the treatment of children with autism and Asperger syndrome commences with a comprehensive review of research into the nature, causes and treatment of these complex conditions. A wide range of therapies are explored and evaluated and advice is given to parents about the issues to consider when seeking treatment for their children. Practical ways of approaching a variety of problems relating to autism and Asperger syndrome are discussed, notably those associated with
* language impairments
* social deficits
* ritualistic and stereotyped behaviours
Outcomes of the various treatments are outlined and a number of informative case studies are incorporated. The book concludes by tackling the crucial need for appropriate educational provision and early help for families. Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome is an essential guide for practitioners, teachers and carers seeking a comprehensive, unbiased appraisal of these conditions and the numerous therapies available.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471983286
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	03/17/1999
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.87(d)

About the Author

Patricia Howlin is Principal Clinical Psychologist at the Maudsley Hospital, London, working mainly with autistic children and those suffering from pervasive developmental disorders. She is also Senior Lecturer in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. She has been involved in research and treatment with autistic children for many years. Her research interests include a follow-up study of autistic individuals, and a comparison of young autistic adults and a matched group of individuals with severe early language delays.

Table of Contents

The Spectrum of Disorders in Autism.

Recent Advances in Understanding the Causes of Autism.

Approaches to Treatment for Children with Autism.

Developing Communications Skills.

Social and Play Skills.

Obsessional and Ritualistic Disorders.

Education Provision for Children with Autism.

Medical Intervention.

Issues for Families.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: William D. Graf, MD (University of Washington/The ACCORD Foundation)
Description: In this complete review of and practical guide to childhood autism and Asperger syndrome, the author provides an contemporary version of the book Treatment of Autistic Children originally written in 1987 with Michael Rutter and colleagues.
Purpose: A broad range of established and recent perspectives on the spectrum of autistic disorders are summarized and critically evalutated in this book. The many approaches to management of persons with complex developmental disabilities evolve over time, but the fundamental challenges left to parents, teachers, therapists and medical practitioners remain at hand. The author relates her extensive experience, recommending a family oriented management plan rather than simply focusing therapy techniques on the child.
Audience: This is a practical, reader-friendly guide for clinicians and caregivers who work with affected individuals and their families. This book may be of particular interest to professionals with limited knowledge of autism.
Features: The book is divided into ten parts that cover the historical evolution of diagnostic criteria and definitions, etiologic considerations, and the expanse of both established and unproved therapeutic approaches to communication, behavior, and social problems. The author not only deals with the "hot topics" of miracle claims and cures, but more importantly, provides valuable information relating to these treatments, about which active practitioners need to be fully informed. My only concern is that this book will need a periodic update as it is already missing some newer pertinent information about etiologic diagnosis (such as the association with a chromosome 15q11 - 13 duplication in some persons) and controversial treatments (secretin therapy). These omissions were unavoidable because of the timing of publication. The strength of the book lies in its honest and balanced viewpoint on the various unproved, controversial therapies as well as the sections on family oriented interventions for social difficulties, methods for dealing with behavioral problems, and finding appropriate education.
Assessment: This book is extremely well written and thoroughly researched. The text and language are presented in a clear, organized and simplified, but not oversimplified, fashion. This is a useful resource on the topic of autism and Asperger syndrome for any professional who provides care to children or disabled adults. I highly recommend this book.

Doody's Review Service

5 Stars! from Doody

In this complete review of and practical guide to childhood autism and Asperger syndrome, the author provides an contemporary version of the book Treatment of Autistic Children originally written in 1987 with Michael Rutter and colleagues. A broad range of established and recent perspectives on the spectrum of autistic disorders are summarized and critically evalutated in this book. The many approaches to management of persons with complex developmental disabilities evolve over time, but the fundamental challenges left to parents, teachers, therapists and medical practitioners remain at hand. The author relates her extensive experience, recommending a family oriented management plan rather than simply focusing therapy techniques on the child. This is a practical, reader-friendly guide for clinicians and caregivers who work with affected individuals and their families. This book may be of particular interest to professionals with limited knowledge of autism. The book is divided into ten parts that cover the historical evolution of diagnostic criteria and definitions, etiologic considerations, and the expanse of both established and unproved therapeutic approaches to communication, behavior, and social problems. The author not only deals with the ""hot topics"" of miracle claims and cures, but more importantly, provides valuable information relating to these treatments, about which active practitioners need to be fully informed. My only concern is that this book will need a periodic update as it is already missing some newer pertinent information about etiologic diagnosis (such as the association with a chromosome 15q11 - 13 duplication in some persons) andcontroversial treatments (secretin therapy). These omissions were unavoidable because of the timing of publication. The strength of the book lies in its honest and balanced viewpoint on the various unproved, controversial therapies as well as the sections on family oriented interventions for social difficulties, methods for dealing with behavioral problems, and finding appropriate education. This book is extremely well written and thoroughly researched. The text and language are presented in a clear, organized and simplified, but not oversimplified, fashion. This is a useful resource on the topic of autism and Asperger syndrome for any professional who provides care to children or disabled adults. I highly recommend this book.

Willam Graf

"Getting the balance right between being clear about the complex state of scientific understanding of a disorder and being able to translate what we do know into readable and scientifically sound advice for practitioners and parents is a difiicult challenge. Paricia Howlin's book meets the challenge head-on and succeeds admirably..." (Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol 5. No.1)

From the Publisher