I was born in Birmingham in the United Kingdom in 1952, and first became interested in psychology at the age of 14 years. It was a great advantage to have a clear ambition while studying at school and university. My professional qualifications are an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Hull; a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Surrey; and PhD from the University of London, where Professor Uta Frith was my supervisor.
I first became interested in what we now call Autistic Spectrum Disorders in 1971. I worked as a volunteer during the summer vacation at a local special school and met two young children with autism. I found their unusual behaviour quite bewildering and became determined to specialize in this area in order to understand and help children and adults with autism. Over the intervening years I have been able to gain experience of the full range of the spectrum, from babies to the elderly, and from those whose abilities and behaviour are profoundly affected to those who are highly able, such as renowned university professors. I have also been able to observe the long term development of children and adults on the spectrum, and have had experience working as a clinician in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
My interest in Asperger’s Syndrome evolved by following the same path as Lorna Wing, namely noticing children who had the classic profile of the silent and aloof child in their pre-school years, subsequently developing fluent speech and intellectual abilities in the normal range. Yet these children still had an unusual profile of social reasoning and linguistic skills and an unusually intense interest in a specific topic. Their profile of abilities was not adequately described by the criteria for autism as described by Leo Kanner but was consistent with the profile described by Hans Asperger. The original assumption was that such children were rare but the benefits of modern intensive early intervention programs means that this is the prognosis for a greater number of children who had classic autistic features when they were very young. An unexpected finding was that once we started to explore this section of the autistic spectrum it soon became apparent that the majority of children with Asperger’s Syndrome did not have a prior diagnosis of autism. The characteristic profile of abilities and behaviour was not apparent until the child attended school and in this new social context and with age peers, the signs were conspicuous. Teachers and professionals also became more aware of the distinct profile that identifies the syndrome.
I started a diagnostic and treatment clinic for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome with Dr Brian Ross, Child Psychiatrist, in Brisbane in 1992. This clinic functions two days a week, the other days I support children and adults by visiting them at school and home. I also spend considerable time traveling to present workshops and papers at national and international conferences, and supervise post-graduate clinical students for clinical experience and research in the area of developmental disorders.
The book on Asperger's Syndrome was originally based on the notes of a workshop I had been presenting to parents and professionals. I realised that the information should become more widely available and decided to transform the notes to text. The book has now been translated into 20 languages. I would like to thank Jessica Kingsley, the publisher, for her clarity of vision and support of my work. My next project is a book with Carol Gray, with a running title of Making Friends and Managing Feelings and will provide a range of practical strategies to assist those with Asperger's Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. I also hope in the near future to be able to travel in the company of my wife, Sarah. She has had to stay at home and look after our children on her own and it is about time she also had the chance to travel abroad.
My wife, Sarah, and I first met as students on clinical placement at a London psychiatric hospital in 1974. She was a student Occupational Therapist and is now a Family Planning Educator. We were married in Croydon, London in January 1977. When I asked my wife how should I describe her, she said to use the words, youthful, intelligent and supportive, but when I asked her to describe myself, she replied that I am single minded, mildly eccentric and dedicated to the good of humanity. However, she also added that I am devoted to nostalgia and have a significant problem with spelling.
We have three teenage children, Rosie, William and Caroline, and currently live in Brisbane, Australia. We moved from Herefordshire in England in July 1984 to New Zealand and then to Brisbane in November 1985. My interests and hobbies are photography, music, in particular Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Sting, and the British rock group, Camel and the vocalist Chris Rainbow. I also enjoy reading mystery novels.
A dream for 24 years came true in 2000. Cathy and David Jones of California, organised a clinic and workshop in Ojai which, by chance coincided with a concert at the Hollywood Bowl by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. I have been a devoted fan of Brian Wilson since I was 14 years old. In my adolescence I listened to his music, especially Pet Sounds for hours and hours. I developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of The Beach Boys and won a radio competition based on my ability to remember trivial information on their lives and music. Cathy knew of my great interest in Brian Wilson and that I had never met him. Not only did she and her friends arrange tickets for his Pet Sounds concert, they managed to arrange a back stage pass and opportunity to meet him after the concert. Thank you Cathy, David and friends.
In the last few years I have learned more about Asperger's syndrome and written more on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Theory of Mind, Special Interests and relationships where one partner has Asperger's syndrome. I have been appointed as adjunct Associate Professor at Griffith University in Queensland and am responsible for the Child Psychopathology course at the University and supervise postgraduate clinical students of the University at my clinic in Brisbane.
In 2003, I was able to meet Maria Asperger-Felder, the daughter of Hans Asperger. We had a wonderful conversation about her father and I now have an even greater admiration for his work. Maria is a child psychiatrist in Switzerland and was eager to discuss the origins of her father's work, his personality and the children he assessed at the hospital and in private practice. In the same year, my personal assistant Meagan was able to complete a database on over 2000 children and adults that I have seen with Asperger's syndrome over the last eleven years.
Our oldest daughter Rosie married Steve in September 2004 with the wedding ceremony being held in our garden in Brisbane. It was a magical day. Rosie is now teaching grade 2 children and her husband is pursuing his career as a comedian. Rosie has recently taught children in her class with Asperger’s syndrome. Like her father, she enjoys being with these children and we often discuss how to help a particular child in her class. Our youngest daughter, Caroline lives in London, pursuing her career as a journalist in the fashion industry and our son William is recovering from cancer and has yet to decide on a career.
My wife Sarah is completing her book on puberty and sexuality for young people with Asperger’s syndrome, to be published by Jessica Kingsley publishers in the near future.
If it wasn’t for Dawn, my invaluable personal assistant, I don’t know how we would organize the clinics and my travel overseas, and answer dozens of phone calls from parents each day. She has become an expert in Asperger’s syndrome and is an essential part of my success.
My colleague, Dr Michelle Garnett, has opened a new clinic called Minds and Hearts for children and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are currently eight professional staff members at Minds and Hearts specializing in autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Michelle has just completed the data analysis of the new Australian Scale for Asperger’s Syndrome.
Dr Isabelle Henault, originally from Montreal, has become my colleague at both the Petrie clinic and the new clinic, Minds and Hearts in West End in central Brisbane. She specializes in autism and Asperger’s syndrome and has a unique expertise in relationship and sexuality issues.
In October 2006, my new book, The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. I am eager to receive comments from readers of this book, of which you can drop me a line here.