Understanding the nature of autism and Asperger's disorder [[electronic resource] ] : forty years of clinical practice and pioneering research / / Edward R. Ritvo ; foreword by Tony Attwood

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910784174603321
• Autore: Ritvo Edward <1930-2020>
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: London ; ; Philadelphia, : Jessica Kingsley, 2006
• ISBN: 1-280-56834-8; 9786610568345; 1-84642-453-4
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (176 p.)
• Disciplina: 616.85/8832
• Soggetti: Asperger's syndrome; Autism
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references (p. 167) and index.
• Nota di contenuto: COVER; Understanding the Nature of Autism and Asperger's Disorder; Contents; Foreword; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Why I'm writing this book; What this book is not; An apology to my readers who have autism orAsperger's disorder; 1Understanding Howto Understanda Disease; The medical model of disease; What did the Romans think?; The Dark Ages of child psychiatry - before 1940; Professor Leo Kanner (1894-1981); Professor Hans Asperger (1906-1980); 2The Clinical Symptoms:From Severe Autismto Asperger's Disorder; Some general points; Symptoms due to developmental delays; Autism and intelligence; 3The Life Courseof Autism andAsperger's DisorderThe life course of severe autism; The life course of mild/high-functioning autism; The life course of Asperger's disorder; 4Searching the Brainfor Clues; A model to guide the search for abnormal braindevelopment; Studying brain wave activity; Spinning chairs, movie cameras, and microscopes; Neurotransmitters and "Nervous Mice"; Some concluding comments; 5Searchingfor Causes; Searching medical histories for possible causes; Our "Rolls Royce" study in Utah; Questions of genetics; 6Supportive Treatments:Which Ones, When,and for Whom; Some general pointsSpecific supportive programs and support systems; Unproven theories about the causes of autism, andtreatments to avoid; 7My Casebook; Children and adults with autism or Asperger's disorder; Autistic parents of autistic children; 8The Importanceof Obtaininga Diagnosis; On diagnosis; 9The "OfficialDiagnostic Criteria"; Diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder; Diagnostic criteria for Asperger's disorder; Epilogue; Suggestions for GatheringFurther Information; Index
• Sommario/riassunto: This book is an accessible introduction for professionals, families and individuals with autism. Prof. Ritvo traces the historical development of understanding about autism and Asperger's Disorder, from the centuries of misdiagnoses and the first recognition of the characteristics of the disorders to his own highly-regarded methods for diagnosis.