Can Someone With Aspergers Have An Intimate Relationship?

If by “intimacy” one means the feeling of being in a close personal association and belonging together, the answer is yes. People with Aspergers love just like anyone else. With the right kind of communication and a strong desire to make the relationship work, intimacy is entirely possible. It’s not easy, however. Here are reasons why intimacy is generally harder to develop for someone with Aspergers. Mind Blindness It’s characteristic of someone with Aspergers to have difficulty Read more [...]

My Work as a San Francisco Child Psychologist

My work as a child psychologist extends back 30 years ago to my graduate training. At that time, I became interested in how social and emotional skills develop in children as well as why some children have difficulty maturing in an ideal way. One thing I learned is that correcting uneven or misaligned development early on in life has much more of an impact than it does later on. Being able to help in such a significant way was a big reason why I decided to become a child psychologist. Shortly Read more [...]

Asperger Syndrome in Adulthood

Asperger Syndrome begins in infancy but it often causes the most problems in adolescence and young adulthood when accomplishments depend so much on successful social relationships. Problems that were mild enough to be disregarded in childhood become more apparent later on. For many adults, coping with Asperger syndrome at this stage in their life is more difficult and has greater significance given what is at stake. What does Asperger Syndrome in adulthood look like compared to its childhood Read more [...]

What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Autism?

Opinions may vary, but scientific studies show that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most effective treatment for autism compared to other therapies. Various scientific organizations, including the National Institute of Mental Health, Association for Science in Autism Treatment, and the Organization for Autism Research have concluded that ABA-based procedures are highly effective. Various government agencies have also advocated for the use of ABA-based procedures, most notably the Read more [...]

How Do You Know if Your Child Needs to See a Psychologist?

Parenting children can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time. Every cough, ache, and fever can have you wondering if you need to see a doctor right away. Medical problems, unfortunately, aren’t the only health issues affecting children. Emotional, social, and behavioral problems do occur with children and they need attention as well. So, how do you know if your child needs to see a child psychologist or other mental health professional? Do you listen to friends and family members Read more [...]

Five Benefits of Therapy for Adults with Aspergers

Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome or suspect you have it. If so, you may be wondering what sort of help is available. Although a cure has not yet been discovered, many therapies have emerged recently that assist adults with Aspergers to live successful, meaningful and happy lives. Here are five ways that therapy can help you with the challenges of Aspergers in adulthood 1. Improving Communication An Aspergers psychologist or other mental health professional with Read more [...]

How Are Behavioral Problems Diagnosed?

“Diagnosis is not the end but the beginning of practice.” – Martin H. Fischer “There is only one cardinal rule: one must always listen to the patient.” – Oliver Sachs Without knowing the problem, it’s hard to know the solution. If your child is behaving unusually or inappropriately, or if you find the behavior distressing, I recommend that you have your child evaluated by an experienced child psychologist or child therapist. It may seem like an extra, or unnecessary, step Read more [...]

Help for Parents of Children with ADHD

Having worked for 25 years with children who have ADHD, I have come to one inescapable conclusion: children with ADHD whose parents participate in treatment improve academically, socially and emotionally much more than children whose parents are not involved at all. In a nutshell, ADHD is not just in children, it’s in families. When one child has ADHD, parents and siblings are affected, and any child with ADHD is influenced by their reactions. It’s a system. No part is separate from the Read more [...]

Tips for Finding a San Francisco Child Psychologist

By my count, there are close to 200 child psychologists in San Francisco and probably twice as many social workers and family and marriage therapists who work with children. Finding the right child psychologist among so many requires a plan. Here are some suggestions for finding an appropriate and qualified therapist for your child’s particular needs. Think About What Your Child Needs Help With, and Then Ask Around You probably have an idea about what is bothering your child. If you suspect Read more [...]

Five Secrets to Workplace Success for Adults with Aspergers

What do Mozart, Einstein and Bill Gates have in common? Each are suspected of having Asperger’s Syndrome. (Wiki Answers) Many people with Aspergers have excelled in their vocations due to their intelligence, creativity, perseverance and attention to detail. In spite of this, steady employment is often a challenge for adults with Aspergers. It is a challenge that can be met and won. Here are five recommendations for overcoming the difficulties of Aspergers and achieving success in the Read more [...]