Children with Autism: Diagnosis and Intervention to Meet Their Needs Second Edition / Edition 2

by Despina Papoudi, Jacqueline Robarts, Kenneth Aitken, Colwyn Trevarthen

Overview

This completely revised and substantially expanded new edition embraces new developments in this rapidly developing field. Every chapter has been rewritten with the addition of new material, and a new final chapter on ‘Putting the Pieces Together' reflects the authors' conviction that the complexity of autism means that many kinds of information are valuable and need to be taken into account in providing therapy or teaching for children with autism.

Other chapters, updated from the first edition, include a description of the latest information on the findings of brain research (put into the context of the development of the human brain and its effect on communication in early childhood), and the contributions of music therapy and psychoanalysis. A very much enlarged chapter on educational provision for children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome provides information on the latest methods for improving the learning of these children, to give them the best possible preparation for a life of greater autonomy and maximum self-satisfaction in the pleasure of human company. New appendices summarise medical diagnostic systems, checklists and questionnaires for identifying autism, and the glossary has been considerably expanded. The wealth of up-to-date information provided will be invaluable not only for researchers and students but also for psychologists, teachers and other professionals, and parents, carers and family members in search of comprehensive and helpful information.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781853025556
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	05/01/1998
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.17(h) x 0.71(d)

About the Author

Colwyn Trevarthen is Professor of Child Psychology and Psychobiology at Edinburgh University. Kenneth Aitken is Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh. is Candidate Assistant Professor in Special Education, Department of Primary Education at the University of the Aegean, Rhodes. Jacqueline Robarts is Research Fellow in Music Therapy, City University London and Senior Music Therapist and Clinical Tutor at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, London.

Table of Contents

Preface. 1.Introduction. 2.The ‘Discovery' of Autism and Many Definitions. 3.Similar Disorders and Important Distinctions. 4.How Many Autistic Children? 5.What Causes Autism? What Are the First Effects? 6.Brain Development and Autism. 7.Brain Abnormalities in Autism. 8.Where Development of the Communicating Mind Goes Astray. 9.Communicating and Playing with an Autistic Child. 10.What Can Be Done? 11.Music Therapy for Children with Autism. 12.Psychoanalysis and the Management of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Including Autism. 13.Education for Autistic Children. 14.Putting the Pieces Together. Appendix 1.Autism in Medical Diagnostic Systems. Appendix 2. Checklists and Questionnaires for Autism. Appendix 3. Information on the Internet. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Forrest C. Bennett, MD (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: This book is a second edition (first edition 1996) of an analysis of the complex disorder of autism. It covers historical, definitional, etiologic, diagnostic, and treatment issues.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a comprehensive update of recent research and practice in the field of autism. It is very useful to have the major topics and debates of this disorder covered in one relatively manageable text. The editors have succeeded in providing a very eclectic, multimodal approach.
Audience: The book is targeted primarily to researchers and students involved in the field of autism. It will also be of interest to related service providers including psychologists, physicians, and educators. Because of its complexity, it will be less useful for parents. The editors are a diverse group of European academicians.
Features: Individual chapters deal with the full range of diagnostic and treatment considerations. Of particular note are chapters on brain development, brain abnormalities, and new/controversial interventions such as music therapy and psychoanalysis. In its attempt to be inclusive and accepting of all approaches, it risks leaving the reader unclear as to the most scientifically sound and useful treatments.
Assessment: This book is written in a scholarly and rigorous manner. Unfortunately, it reads somewhat slowly without attractive highlighting or visual aids. It represents a European psychological perspective of autism which, for the most part, will resonate with U.S. professionals but which occasionally lapses into outdated psychodynamic theories. It is not the best book in the field, but it is comprehensive in scope. It is unclear why this edition was needed only two years after the first.

Doody's Review Service

In its second, revised edition this book has been expanded and enriched with new up-to-date information, adding to our understanding of issues around autism, its diagnosis and alleviation… Two chapters (12 and 13) vividly explain, through specific examples, effective ways of managing and teaching autistic children. The role of parents in their children's education is emphasised, and liaison with psychological and educational services is viewed as an essential pre-condition for effective and long-lasting support. The value of this book lies in its attempt to provide a unified view of the complex issues involved in autism. Different, complementary themes relating to the genesis and manifestation of the disorder are dealt with systematically in separate sections. In addition the reader can find much useful information in the appendices, including checklists and questionnaires for autism, and internet resources. Overall this is a well-written and accessible book that will be of interest to parents and professionals.

Child Language Teaching and Therapy

This book sets out to cover an ambitious range of topics. It has been substantially revised since its first edition in 1996 and expanded to incorporate many of the advances in research and practice. The authors acknowledge the notion of 'autistic spectrum disorders'. They promote the need to 'value many kinds of information' and to learn from 'different methods of therapy or teaching'. Those practitioners interested in the more 'non-directive' interventions, such as music therapy and play-based learning, are likely to find some interesting ideas in the text… The over-riding focus on developmental psychology is of value in helping those who support children with autistic spectrum disorders to understand the pervasive nature of the condition and the processes affected. It will update some readers' knowledge of recent advances in developmental psychology, especially those related to early, and more typical, interpersonal and communication patterns found between infants and carers… The chapter entitled 'Education for Autistic Children' has now been substantially revised and provides a comprehensive insight into the range of approaches and promotes early intervention. This chapter may be of value to parents and practitioners and it quite usefully breaks down developmental phases such as pre-school, primary aged children and adolescents.

Communication

The authors make a comprehensive study of autism, balancing theory with practise and presenting a clear picture of what it means to be autistic, and what can be done to improve the capabilities of the autistic child.

In Touch Newsletter

This is a book packed with information and discourse that looks at all aspects of autism in depth. Each point raised is backed up with references that are taken from the latest research. The reference section must be one of the most comprehensive put together on the subject.

Educational Psychology in Practice

Every chapter has been rewritten with the addition of new material and a new final chapter on "putting the pieces together".

Contact

2 Stars from Doody

This book is a second edition (first edition 1996) of an analysis of the complex disorder of autism. It covers historical, definitional, etiologic, diagnostic, and treatment issues. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive update of recent research and practice in the field of autism. It is very useful to have the major topics and debates of this disorder covered in one relatively manageable text. The editors have succeeded in providing a very eclectic, multimodal approach. The book is targeted primarily to researchers and students involved in the field of autism. It will also be of interest to related service providers including psychologists, physicians, and educators. Because of its complexity, it will be less useful for parents. The editors are a diverse group of European academicians. Individual chapters deal with the full range of diagnostic and treatment considerations. Of particular note are chapters on brain development, brain abnormalities, and new/controversial interventions such as music therapy and psychoanalysis. In its attempt to be inclusive and accepting of all approaches, it risks leaving the reader unclear as to the most scientifically sound and useful treatments. This book is written in a scholarly and rigorous manner. Unfortunately, it reads somewhat slowly without attractive highlighting or visual aids. It represents a European psychological perspective of autism which, for the most part, will resonate with U.S. professionals but which occasionally lapses into outdated psychodynamic theories. It is not the best book in the field, but it is comprehensive in scope. It is unclear why this edition was needed only two years after the first.

Forrest C. Bennett

The four authors are affiliated, respectively, with Edinburgh University and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (both in Edinburgh), the U. of the Aegean, (Rhodes, Greece), and the City University of London. They present in-depth information (updated for this second edition), bringing to bear on the subject of autism their expertise in child psychology and psychobiology, neuropsychology, special education, and music therapy. Coverage includes autism's many definitions, similar disorders and important distinctions, causes and first effects, brain development and abnormalities, communication and play, and various strategies for therapy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews