Creative Expressive Activities and Asperger's Syndrome

Preface. Part I: A Multidimensional Approach to Asperger's Syndrome. 1. Introduction. 2. What makes an adaptive, resilient, and happy person? 3. Defining Asperger's Syndrome and its impact. Part II: Creative Activities. 4. Groups. 5. Conceptual and cognitive processing: semantic and pragmatic weaknesses. 6. Self-awareness and self-related skills: emotion, depression, anxiety, emotional self-regulation. 7. Social difficulties and connecting with the world. 8. Nuts and bolts of art techniques. References. Appendix 1: VIA classification of character strengths. Appendix 2: Music list. Index.

Martinovich offers a crisp, goals-oriented approach to Asperger's therapy, with special emphasis on the creative, experiential aspects of learning.

Obsessive interests, social difficulties, literalness and lack of empathy, verbal clumsiness, difficulties with organization and problem solving, poor motor skills, and a lack of self-consciousness and understanding complex emotions often characterize Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Martinovich first provides an overview of various cognitive behavioral interventions, such as positive psychology and social and emotional learning, which strive to instill a sense of satisfaction, happiness and resilience, affirming individuality and building on strengths. But, she suggests, 'the best strategy to help AS individuals supports the whole person, not just outstanding traits,' and Martinovich is no milquetoast. Though the creative arts to which she devotes the majority of the book are congruent with AS's way of thinking, they are also challenging, both in their group milieu and the need for talents often foreign to someone with AS. Step by step, she takes readers through creative therapies... including painting, drama, dance, music, photography, storytelling and more... explaining objectives as well as modes of implementation.

Martinovich is tough, but she wants her intentions and motivations to be bell clear: She is here to make a difference.