Children with Autism

Diagnosis and Intervention to Meet Their Needs

Author: Colwyn Trevarthen, Despina Papoudi, Jacqueline Robarts and Kenneth Aitken

This completely revised edition embraces new developments in this rapidly developing field. 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.

This complete revised and substantially expanded new edition embraces new developments in this rapidly developing field. A new chapter reflects the authors' conviction that the complexity of autism means that many kinds of information need to be taken into account in providing therapy or teaching for children with autism.

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Summary

Description

Approaching the condition of autism from many perspectives, the authors make a comprehensive study of the disorder, balancing theory with practice, and presenting a clear picture of what it means to be autistic, and what can be done to improve the capabilities of the autistic child. They consider the historical descriptions, explanations and recognition of the condition; the symptoms and causes and examine methods of communicating with autistic children and helping them to communicate as fully as possible.

Critic Reviews

“The authors make a comprehensive study of autism, balancing theory with practise and presenting a clear picture of what it means to be autistic, and what can be done to improve the capabilities of the autistic child.”

-- In Touch Newsletter
Every chapter has been rewritten with the addition of new material and a new final chapter on "putting the pieces together". -- Contact
In its second, revised edition this book has been expanded and enriched with new up-to-date information, adding to our understanding of issues around autism, its diagnosis and alleviation… Two chapters (12 and 13) vividly explain, through specific examples, effective ways of managing and teaching autistic children. The role of parents in their children's education is emphasised, and liaison with psychological and educational services is viewed as an essential pre-condition for effective and long-lasting support. The value of this book lies in its attempt to provide a unified view of the complex issues involved in autism. Different, complementary themes relating to the genesis and manifestation of the disorder are dealt with systematically in separate sections. In addition the reader can find much useful information in the appendices, including checklists and questionnaires for autism, and internet resources. Overall this is a well-written and accessible book that will be of interest to parents and professionals. -- Child Language Teaching and Therapy
This book sets out to cover an ambitious range of topics. It has been substantially revised since its first edition in 1996 and expanded to incorporate many of the advances in research and practice. The authors acknowledge the notion of 'autistic spectrum disorders'. They promote the need to 'value many kinds of information' and to learn from 'different methods of therapy or teaching'. Those practitioners interested in the more 'non-directive' interventions, such as music therapy and play-based learning, are likely to find some interesting ideas in the text… The over-riding focus on developmental psychology is of value in helping those who support children with autistic spectrum disorders to understand the pervasive nature of the condition and the processes affected. It will update some readers' knowledge of recent advances in developmental psychology, especially those related to early, and more typical, interpersonal and communication patterns found between infants and carers… The chapter entitled 'Education for Autistic Children' has now been substantially revised and provides a comprehensive insight into the range of approaches and promotes early intervention. This chapter may be of value to parents and practitioners and it quite usefully breaks down developmental phases such as pre-school, primary aged children and adolescents. -- Communication
This is a book packed with information and discourse that looks at all aspects of autism in depth. Each point raised is backed up with references that are taken from the latest research. The reference section must be one of the most comprehensive put together on the subject. -- Educational Psychology in Practice

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.