Search

The Primer on Autism Spectrum Disorder provides a quick yet comprehensive overview of clinically-relevant topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for the medical or mental health student, trainee, or recent graduate who seeks efficient learning. Chapters are designed to give an overview of a topic area in real time while on a rotation; while studying for professional board examinations in primary care, pediatrics, neurology or psychiatry; or even during preparation for a presentation or discussion scheduled to occur the next day. The sections include Background and Diagnostic Assessment, Etiology, Treatment, and Other Care Delivery Services and Perspectives, with each chapter written by an internationally recognized expert in the field. The chapters on diagnosis and treatment are written from a practical "how to" perspective. Those on etiology are written with the clinician in mind. These clinically-focused chapters include one or more vignettes that present simulated patient cases designed to highlight teaching points related to each chapter's content area. The book ends with a chapter written by family members of individuals with ASD and another written by an adult with ASD that illustrate the human impact these disorders have on day-to-day lives, hopes, and dreams. At the end of each chapter, "Key Points" for summarizing the intended take home messages of each author/authors are listed.

This book re-examines the case of Nadia, discovered as a child aged six, who had been drawing with phenomenal skill and visual realism from the age of three, despite having autism and severe learning difficulties. The original research was published in 1977 and caused great international interest. Nadia Revisited updates her story and reconsiders the theories that endeavour to explain her extraordinary talent. As well as summarising the central issues from the original case study and presenting her remarkable drawings, the book explains Nadia’s subsequent development and present situation in light of the recent research on autistic spectrum disorders and representational drawing in children. The book also considers the phenomenon of savant syndrome, the condition in which those with autism or other learning disabilities have areas of unusual talent that contrast dramatically with their general functioning. Lorna Selfe uses this single case study to discuss theories of developmental psychology and considers the possible links between prodigious talent and underlying neurological dysfunction. The book is especially valuable for students and teachers of developmental psychology and neuropsychology, education and special education, as well as art and art education. Parents of autistic children or those with related disorders, learning difficulties or special needs will also be interested in the discussions presented in this book.

Illuminates the family background, history, and development of a sixyear-old autistic child and examines the sources, characteristics, and subject matter of her exceptional drawings from psychological and physiological perspectives

Originally published in 1989. This book is designed as an introduction to the field of special education for all those students and professionals – teachers, social workers, psychologists, medical officers, nurses, speech therapists and others – who encounter children with special needs. The authors first discuss current legislation in its historical context and draw attention to the major issues and controversies. They go on to analyse a variety of learning difficulties. Physical and sensory disabilities, emotional and behavioural problems, may all give rise to special educational needs. The book then considers how children’s special needs may be met in terms of curriculum, resources and provisions. It concludes with some prognostications and a critical review of current practice.

Aged 15, Lorna was living on the streets of Soho, trying to avoid abuse and rape whilst battling an addiction to heroin. She worked as an escort and a stripper, lost custody of her daughter, and relapsed multiple times. But, somehow, and unlike most of the people imprisoned by the streets, Lorna didn't just survive but she flew. 'I've dodged through these streets for a lifetime. I realise I have never stopped running since the day that I left the streets, never sat still, never found peace. But the process of unpicking my life means that, for the first time ever, I am actually facing what I have to do. It's time to tell my story.' On any given night, tens of thousands of families and individuals across the UK are experiencing homelessness. One in three people sleeping rough have experienced violence and are nine times more likely to take their own life.