Autism as an Executive Disorder - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198523491 ISBN 13: 9780198523499

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 1998

Synopsis

Autism continues to fascinate researchers because it is both debilitating in its effects and complex in its nature and origins. The prevalent theory is that autism is primarily characterised by difficulties in understanding mental concepts, but the contributors to this book present new and compelling arguments for an alternative theory. Their research points strongly to the idea that autism is primarily a disorder of "executive functions", those involved in the control of action and thought. As such, the book provides a new and controversial perspective on this important question.

About this title

Review

"Well worth the price. The first chapter, on the neurobiology of autism, is one of the best sources I've seen for lay readers on what is known or suspected about the basic brain biology of autism. The rest of the book is in the main British neuropsychology, to my mind some of the richest psychological thinking on earth . . . There is another terrific chapter comparing the EF deficits in ADHD to EF deficits in autism; this was the first time I've encountered an explanation for my frequent sense that ADHD kids are harder to deal with even though 'technically' autism is the more challenging diagnosis. And last but far from least Russell includes a chapter on the particular strengths of people with autism--an approach that is almost never taken here in America . . . A wonderful, wonderful book."--Catherine Johnson, Ph.D., coauthor of Shadow Syndromes, trustee of the National Alliance for Autism Research

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198523491
• ISBN 13: 9780198523499
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 328
• Editor: Russell James