Tim Kowalski, MA on Asperger's Disorder

Mental Help Net (www.mentalhelp.net) presents the Wise Counsel Podcast (wisecounsel.mentalhelp.net), hosted by David Van Nuys, Ph.D. "Timothy P. Kowalski, M.A.,C.C.C.-SLP on Asperger's Disorder", posted April 16, 2007. Mr. Kowalski discusses his work as a speech pathologist working with Asperger's Disordered patients. Asperger's Disorder is a pervasive developmental disorder of childhood characterized by communication and social deficits. It is often thought of as identical to high functioning Autism (another, more severe disorder), but Kowalski differentiates the two disorders on the basis of social desire (Autistic individuals lacking the desire and skills to socialize, vs. Asperger's individuals having the desire to socialize but lacking the skills). The pattern of social and emotional deficits characteristic of Asperger's is described, as are ways that these deficits are measured and assessed, and ways that compensatory coping stratagies can be taught.