Intervention ABCs for Children with Asperger Syndrome

BASC-2 PRS Profiles for Students with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Manifestations can be observed in the forms of circumscribed interests, rigidity involving nonfunctional routines and/or repetitive motor movements (APA 2000). The narrow and overly focused targets of these students often compels them to amass extensive information about restricted domains , which Safran et al (2003) characterized as ''topical obsessions' ' (p. 155). In school settings, the repetitive behaviors and thoughts can interfere with attention to important academic content and inhibit educational performance (McDougle 1998;Safran et al 2003).…”

“…The narrow and overly focused targets of these students often compels them to amass extensive information about restricted domains , which Safran et al (2003) characterized as ''topical obsessions' ' (p. 155). In school settings, the repetitive behaviors and thoughts can interfere with attention to important academic content and inhibit educational performance (McDougle 1998;Safran et al 2003). Engagement in their area of interest can also serve as a means to avoid social interactions which are more distressing (Attwood 2004).…”

“…Rates of diagnosis of HFASDs have been increasing (Safran et al 2003;Klin et al 2005) and as a result educational professionals such as school psychologists are being increasingly called upon to assess and develop interventions for these students Safran and Safran 2001). This requires awareness of the full range of potentially affected areas, as well as assessment tools that provide the breadth of information necessary for screening, comprehensive assessment, and intervention National Research Council (NRC) 2001;Safran and Safran 2001).…”

Marriage and Family Therapists’ Ability to Diagnose Asperger’s Syndrome: A Vignette Study

“…Inconsistency in diagnosing AS is problematic because early diagnosis is essential for effective treatment (Lozzi-Toscano, 2004;Portway & Johnson, 2002;Safran, Safran & Ellis, 2003). Children with AS are often misdiagnosed or misperceived as suffering from Conduct Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Mood Disorders, or Schizophrenia (Khouzam et al, 2004;Perry, 2004;Tsai, 2003).…”

“…Children with AS are often misdiagnosed or misperceived as suffering from Conduct Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Mood Disorders, or Schizophrenia (Khouzam et al, 2004;Perry, 2004;Tsai, 2003). The misdiagnosis is especially problematic since clinical research suggests that individuals with AS have the ability to greatly improve their social functioning when they are properly diagnosed with AS and receive treatment that is based on an understanding of the symptoms associated with AS (Lozzi-Toscano, 2004;Portway & Johnson, 2002;Safran et al, 2003).…”