From the Editor’s Desk
Think summer! Think baseball! Think Asperger syndrome and quintessential baseball family! It is my distinct pleasure to share with you my fascinating “back story” chat with Shonda Schilling, author of the recently-released New York Times Best Seller, The Best Kind of Different: Our Family’s Journey with Asperger’s Syndrome. Shonda is the mother of four children and the wife of former Boston Red Sox star pitcher, Curt Schilling. In my interview with her, she shares her personal thoughts, opinions, and insights with refreshing candor. And be sure to read my review of her outstanding book on page 47.
Our wonderful authors for this issue include, Dr. Brenda Smith Myles, bringing her expertise to bear on innovative social skills supports; Dr. Nancy Perry writing on the important subject of executive function skills; Donna Richards with some great tips for making IEP meetings more productive; and social worker, Judy Gruenfeld, tour guide extraordinaire in the Land of Alphabet Soup.
Dr. Gena P. Barnhill tackles the controversial issue of the DSM-V working group’s recommendation to remove the Asperger’s Disorder category from the new edition of the diagnostic manual, and she does so from both a parental and professional perspective. Dr. Barnhill’s article serves as a springboard for additional commentary on this extremely consequential issue, as I have dedicated the “Cutting Edge” column to this matter. Weighing in on this highly contentious issue are: Dr. Tony Attwood, Dr. Barry M. Prizant, Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly, and Dr. Liane Holliday Willey.
There is more great information forthcoming from our regular columnists. Dr. Prizant, in part one of a two-part article, makes a strong case for his position that Respect Begins with Language. Dr. Teresa Bolick has 10 important tips for helping individuals with ASD follow rules, which she delivers in a practical, easy-to-implement format with great easy-to-replicate examples.
By way of update, Alyson Beytien re-visits a painful subject and shares the positive outcomes that have come from the decision that no family ever wants to make. Liane Holliday Willey shows readers what her “Celebrations of Excellence and Originality” (CEO) column is all about, by interviewing Rudy Simone, an accomplished novelist, screenwriter, and jazz singer, who also happens to have Asperger syndrome. And Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly responds to reader requests for more tips on improving inference ability, this time with a focus on older students.
Readers will also find timely and informative NewsBriefs—for example, part one of the results of the Interactive Autism Network’s Grandparents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Survey. As always, there is important information in our research section. For example, in our “Research Newsdesk” column, we report on the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation or EARLI study. In addition, we also cover a fascinating study on attention, courtesy of the Simons Foundation. And there’s much more research in our “Research Briefs” column.
Coming attractions for the fall issue, due out in mid August, include articles by Dr. Arnold Miller and Carol Hilliard on bridging the gap between reading and writing; and Dr. Lee A. Wilkinson writing about the under-identification of more capable children with ASD. He will also give practical strategies for addressing this issue. And, we will continue our coverage of the controversial recommendations regarding DSM-V.
Finally, and most unfortunately, I conclude this column on a very sad note. As ASQ was going to press, I learned the devastating news that Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D. had passed away on April 27, 2010. To read about just a few of his many accomplishments, please see our tribute to this remarkable man on page 39. We extend our deepest sympathy to Dr. Greenspan’s family, friends, and colleagues, and we hope that they may find comfort in their personal memories of this extraordinary man.
