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. reviews of the first edition '...highly educational in its rigorous and scholarly approach to a perplexing and emotive subject. It represents a major contribution to our understanding of autistic disorder and of normal infant development.' - Educational Psychology in Practice '...of interest to parents and health education and social work practitioners... essential reading for those with a substantial interest in the topic.' - Share an Idea (Magazine of Contact a Family) 'This is a timely book... It is a comprehensive survey of autism based on the most recent research conducted worldwide, tracing the history of the condition, the early problems of diagnosis and what criteria are now used, how communication can develop with autistic children, and how they can be helped to communicate. The book is very informative, providing essential material for anyone, whether parent, researcher, therapist, teacher or carer, responsible for the management of these enigmatic and challenging children... a comprehensive study, open and ready to acknowledge concepts and interventions without being strongly judgemental... I highly recommend this book to anyone working with, or intending to work with, autistic children. All the authors write with authority and conviction.' - British Journal of Music Therapy 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. 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.
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