Product Description

This vital new book presents effective strategies to tackle the specific difficulties in social interaction and communication that are experienced by adolescents with Asperger Syndrome (AS). Focusing on the development of interaction skills through teaching social competence, the authors explain how to design an effective social skills intervention programme whose primary objective is successful peer interaction. They describe the methodology, philosophy and science underpinning their approach and include a template for a sample course currently administered over six months. Guidance is given on what resources to choose from the wide range of available intervention programmes, and many case study examples are also provided. The authors outline session formats, possible problems and solutions, and emphasise the significance of the therapist's attitude and the role of parents in building social confidence. This book will be an excellent resource for anyone involved with designing and delivering socialisation training to adolescents with AS, from parents and teachers to counsellors and therapists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #512780 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
John Harpur is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Ireland Maynooth. His current research includes a multidisciplinary project on Emotional Intelligence and Asperger Syndrome. Maria Lawlor is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Child and Family Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, and lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin. Michael Fitzgerald is the Henry Marsh Professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Child and Family Centre at Trinity College, Dublin. Together they wrote Succeeding in College with Asperger Syndrome: A Student Guide, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Customer Reviews

Very balanced and practical. Emphasises language and peers
This is a very balanced dive into intervention issues for teenagers with Asperger syndrome. The books looks at the pros and cons in getting a scheme together and the range of problems that will inevitably arise. There are really three sections to it. The first few chapters deal with theory and parctice in interventions and autistic spectrum disorders. The next couple of chapters give a run down on language and communication and the verbal and nonverabls skills that teenagers use and that thise with Asperger Syndrome find difficult. The final few chapters give a detailed outline of an intervention programme based on language pragmatics and interaction skill practice. There is an amazing amount of detail here, as elsewhere in the book always looking at bringing the Asperger teenager around to understanind the expectations of other teenagers. The book also doesn't adopt any superior positions over other books but lays out guidelines for doing a pick and mix from other approaches. Overall, as someone involved with autistic spectrum disorders, the books gives professionals and parents a lot to chew on and a lot for free. It should certainly reshape attitudes and practices in interventions for the better.