Building Social Connections in Autism

“This book brings together eminent clinicians and researchers in the Autism field to present much needed contributions delineating emerging evidence-based approaches that are not only thoughtful but practical. There is much controversy surrounding the studies and treatment of Autism; this book offers welcomed and indispensable knowledge useful to therapists and clinicians in multiple disciplines.”

B. James Bennett, MD, Adjunct Professor Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas; Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychoanalyst, Dallas Psychoanalytic Center and Center for Psychoanalytic Studies-Houston

“Among those who, like me, work with children with the autism profile, assessing and searching the best ways for promoting development in their and their family’s lives is of paramount importance. These clinicians will promptly recognize how precious this book is. Bringing together this vast array of contributions, it allows clinician to have a more holistic perspective, to gather more elements to help picking the best clinical choices, and to know more both about the autism profile group and the individual in his/her singularity. In particular, the chapter called “When an autism spectrum profile is not autism” may throw light on a vivid controversy in recent times about the advantages and pitfalls of using such a diverse category for autistic persons and the surge of so-called late diagnosis. Throughout the book, moreover, it is possible to identify an underlying thread in all chapters: the exploration of the issue of an atypical social competence (I would use the term ‘social lens’) as the core trait defining autistic development.”

Vera Regina J.R.M. Fonseca, MD, PhD, Brazilian Psychoanalytic Society of São Paulo