Sex. Slang. Slumber parties. The preoccupations of adolescents with Asperger syndrome are no different than those of other teens, but they can be much more confusing. The lack of social skills and ability to grasp conversational nuances that characterize AS make adolescence the most difficult life stage. Asperger Syndrome is characterized by a reliance on clear guidelines, and in adolescence the social guidelines become murky and confusing. In Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence, child psychologist Teresa Bolick presents strategies for helping the ten-to-eighteen-year-old achieve happiness and success by maximizing the benefits of AS and minimizing the drawbacks.

This book is an empirically-grounded, ready-to-use curriculum for clinicians, teachers and professionals wishing to lead social skills groups for young people with AS. It provides an introduction to AS and issues surrounding social skills, including diagnostic and assessment issues, the importance of good social skills, and treatment approaches.

Completely revised with the latest research and clinical strategies, this is the authoritative volume on Asperger syndrome (now part of DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder). Considered the definitive reference since its initial publication, the book focuses on how to assess each child or adolescent's needs and provide effective interventions in the areas of communication, behavior, and academic and vocational functioning. The neural and genetic bases of autism spectrum disorders are also explored. New to This Edition *Expanded coverage of evidence-based assessment and treatment, including two chapters on behavioral interventions. *Addresses challenges in the transition to new diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder in DSM-5. *Chapters on neuropsychological advances, the transition to higher education, and forensic issues. *Many new authors and extensively revised chapters.

A gifted education Legacy Award winner, Take Control of Asperger's Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens With Asperger's Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorder is a unique handbook for kids and teens on living successful lives with these disorders by taking control of their strengths to overcome their weaknesses. Drawing on their experiences as parents and teachers of students with Asperger's syndrome (AS) and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD), the authors provide tips on understanding the disorders, living with the symptoms, succeeding in school, completing homework, talking to others about strengths and needs, making friends and socializing, and using technology to connect with other kids and teens with these disorders. By interviewing dozens of kids and teens who live with AS and NLD, the authors include ideas, information, and advice for students, by students just like them. This handy guidebook is sure to help any child or teen with AS or NLD navigate life's challenges with successful outcomes. Named one of the Pennsylvania State Librarians Assoication's Young Adult Top Forty nonfiction books of 2010. Ages 10-16

-The book integrates the latest evidence-based research from leading scholars with personal practical advice from a mother whose adolescent has Asperger Syndrome and from a young man who has Asperger Syndrome. -Written by professionals, one of whom is also a parent of a child with Asperger's. -Lifespan approach from early childhood to adulthood -Contains both research content as well as practical, first-hand advice with chapters written by parents, as well as a first-hand account of growing up with Aspergers.

This Handbook offers a much-needed resource of theoretical knowledge, evidence-based interventions, and practical guidelines for professionals providing group psychotherapy to youth clients. Written by leading professionals in the field of child and adolescent cognitive-behavioral therapy, this comprehensive volume offers readers a collection of innovative and well established approaches for group interventions with youth in a variety of treatment settings. It addresses a wide range of issues, not limited to assessment, group member selection, and specific protocols and strategies that readers can implement in their own practice. Integrating theoretical and practical aspects, leading experts offer their experience through case examples and vignettes, suggesting guidelines for overcoming inherent treatment obstacles. This Handbook provides not only a framework for delivering effective group therapy, but also highlights specific problem areas, and it is an invaluable reference for professionals providing therapeutic intervention to children and adolescents.

AutPlay Therapy is a behavioral play-based treatment approach to working with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. This innovative new model contains a parent-training component (wherein the therapist trains parents to do directive play therapy interventions in the home) and can be utilized in any setting where children and adolescents with an autism disorder, ADHD, dysregulation issues, or other neurodevelopmental disorders are treated. This comprehensive resource outlines the AutPlay Therapy process and offers a breakdown of treatment phases along with numerous assessment materials and over 30 directive play therapy techniques.

The research on children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is extensive and growing. Although these conditions are recognized as affecting the entire lifespan, the literature on ASD after childhood is limited and has not been brought together in a single volume in over a decade. Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders fills this knowledge gap by focusing on needs and difficulties unique to these stages of development. Expert contributors offer cogent reviews of complex issues, from education to employment, leisure activities to illegal behaviors, mental health issues to medical health concerns. The latest findings in key areas, such as psychosocial and residential treatments, social skills programs, epidemiology, the impact of ASD on families, are examined in detail. Throughout the volume, coverage focuses on areas requiring improved models of assessment, updated data, new interventions and increased support services. Featured topics include: Transition from high school to adulthood for adolescents and young adults with ASD. Innovative programming to support college students with ASD. Romantic relationships, sexuality and ASD. Treatment of mental health comorbidities. Assessment and treatment planning in adults with ASD. The range of outcomes and challenges in middle and later life. Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a must-have reference for a wide range of clinicians and practitioners – as well as researchers and graduate students – in clinical child, school and developmental psychology; child and adolescent psychiatry; social work; rehabilitation medicine/therapy; education and general practice/family medicine. It will also serve as an important resource for parents and caregivers with its focus on translating the current state of knowledge relevant to understanding adolescents and adults with ASD into practical and relevant recommendations on how best to support them.

Autism is no longer considered a rare disease, and the Center for Disease Control now estimates that upwards of 730,000 children in the US struggle with this isolating brain disorder. New research is leading to greater understanding of and ability to treat the disorder at an earlier age. It is hoped that further genetic and imaging studies will lead to biologically based diagnostic techniques that could help speed detection and allow early, more effective intervention. Edited by two leaders in the field, this volume offers a current survey and synthesis of the most important findings of the neuroscience behind autism of the past 20 years. With chapters authored by experts in each topic, the volume explores etiology, neuropathology, imaging, and pathways/models. Offering a broad background of ASDs with a unique focus on neurobiology, the volume offers more than the others on the market with a strictly clinical focus or a single authored perspective that fails to offer expert, comprehensive coverage. Researchers and graduate students alike with an interest in developmental disorders and autism will benefit, as will autism specialists across psychology and medicine looking to expand their expertise. Uniquely explores ASDs from a neurobiological angle, looking to uncover the molecular/cellular basis rather than to merely catalog the commonly used behavioral interventions Comprehensive coverage synthesizes widely dispersed research, serving as one-stop shopping for neurodevelopmental disorder researchers and autism specialists Edited work with chapters authored by leaders in the field around the globe - the broadest, most expert coverage available

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders develop differently. These differences are usually present in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing, and become visible through a wide variety of behavioral responses that differ from individuals without autism spectrum disorders. Despite significant research efforts, the exact causes of autism spectrum disorders remain poorly understood; however, researchers have gained extensive insights into possible pathomechanisms, even at the molecular level of cells. Many diagnostic criteria have been developed, adapted, and improved. The eight chapters in this book highlight the current state-of-the-art in many areas of autism spectrum disorders. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders and the current knowledge of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Chapter 2 summarizes the diagnostic criteria and procedures and highlights present and upcoming therapeutic strategies. Chapter 3 reviews the adverse events and trauma in people with autism spectrum disorders. Chapters 4 and 5 focus on atypical sensory processing, and Chapter 6 discusses the genetic overlap of autism spectrum disorders with other neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and schizophrenia. Chapter 7 focuses on the contribution of abnormalities in mitochondria, and chapter 8 discusses gut-brain interactions and a potential role for microbiota in autism spectrum disorders. This book is aimed primarily at clinicians and scientists, but many areas will also be of interest to the layperson.