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Professor Michael Fitzgerarld
Books
For a text list of all books click here For press releases click here
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While
murder is a matter of serious concern to the community, serial killing
is a
matter of even greater concern. Serial killers have baffled the public
and
professionals for hundreds of years. This book attempts to increase our
understanding of serial killers. Fitzgerald suggests that Autistic
Psychopathy
may underlie some of these serial killers. He suggests a new diagnostic
Criminal Autistic Psychopathy, which he identifies as a subcategory of
Asperger’s syndrome. This has had a far greater explanatory power than
previously realised. Persons with callous, unemotional traits - often
called
empathy deficits - are very much associated with Autistic Psychopathy.
This
book offers insight of the dynamics associated with this pathological
personality and how the individual's criminality affects our society
and its
victims. Click to Buy on Amazon |
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There
is a great deal of information on the negative aspects of Attention
Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder but very little on the positive aspects or the
potentially creative aspects of this disorder. This is of enormous
importance
to, not alone academics, but parents and families of persons with this
disorder. This book offers intelligent information about both the
positive and
negative aspects as well as a possible link to creativity.
Click to Buy on Amazon |
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This well-researched book challenges the way we
often look at autism and Asperger Syndrome by proposing that many
famous historical figures had autistic mindsets. Arguing that highly
creative people are largely born and not made, the authors present case
studies of the lives of 21 famous individuals, tying their
personalities, talents and lifestyles to the major characteristics of
Asperger Syndrome. The book demonstrates that many people with ASD have
lived rich, complex, productive lives, and that their intelligence and
special talents made a significant contribution to the world today. It
is a great tool for increasing general knowledge and awareness about
ASD as it offers a new perspective on an often negative perception of
autism and Asperger Syndrome.
Click to Buy on Amazon |
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What
makes mathematicians tick? How do their
minds process formulas and concepts that, for most of the rest of the
world's population, remain mysterious and beyond comprehension? Is
there a connection between mathematical creativity and mental illness?
In The Mind of the Mathematician,
internationally famous mathematician Ioan James and accomplished
psychiatrist Michael Fitzgerald look at the complex world of
mathematics and the mind. Together they explore the behavior and
personality traits that tend to fit the profile of a mathematician.
They discuss mathematics and the arts, savants, gender and mathematical
ability, and the impact of autism, personality disorders, and mood
disorders. These topics, together with a succinct
analysis of some of the great mathematical personalities of the past
three centuries, combine to form an eclectic and fascinating blend of
story and scientific inquiry. Click to Buy on Amazon
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
is one of the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorders of our
time. The condition is defined by levels of inattention, hyperactivity
and impulsivity that are in impairing and developmentally
inappropriate. Increasingly, there is a growing appreciation that for
many individuals the disorder may persist into adulthood and be
associated with significant social and economic burden.
Conditions, such as ADHD, that are manifestly heterogeneous in terms of
their clinical presentation, underlying neurobiology and treatment
response, must be tackled on multiple fronts. This Handbook of
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder provides a state of the art
position on each of these fronts from leading clinicians and
researchers from around the world. Broad in its scope and comprehensive
in its detail, this book should be as useful to the student as it is to
the experienced clinician or researcher.
Click to Buy on Amazon |
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The subject of autism and Asperger's syndrome
are receiving ever greater coverage in the media, in films such as
Rainman, and in literature. Very often people who are affected by
Asperger's exhibit high level abilities in certain areas and other
physical or behavioral traits may also be apparent. In Unstoppable
Brilliance, the authors seek to demonstrate the particular facts and
attributes of many well-known Irish historical figures, and show that
in many ways their drive, focus and considerable achievements were
almost inevitable given their high-level aptitude in particular fields
- an aptitude not entirely of their own making or volition.
Click to Buy on Amazon
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This vital new book presents effective
strategies to tackle the specific difficulties in social interaction
and communication that are experienced by adolescents with Asperger
Syndrome (AS). Focusing on the development of interaction skills
through teaching social competence, the authors explain how to design
an effective social skills intervention programme whose primary
objective is successful peer interaction. They describe the
methodology, philosophy and science underpinning their approach and
include a template for a sample course currently administered over six
months. Guidance is given on what resources to choose from the wide
range of available intervention programmes, and many case study
examples are also provided. The authors outline session formats,
possible problems and solutions, and emphasise the significance of the
therapist's attitude and the role of parents in building social
confidence. This book will be an excellent resource for anyone involved
with designing and delivering socialisation training to adolescents
with AS, from parents and teachers to counsellors and therapists.
Click to Buy on Amazon |
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Is it an advantage to have Asperger
Syndrome? Is it
an insurmountable burden? Or is it a difficult balancing act between
both extremes? These are the questions the authors of Asperger Syndrome
– A Gift or a Curse? are examining. The life histories of ten
prominent personalities from the world of literature, film, philosophy,
mathematics, science and politics who had Asperger syndrome are
analyzed against the backdrop of neuropsychological theories of
autism/Asperger syndrome and current neurobiological research data.
Click to Buy on Amazon
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The
nature of artistic creativity and its relationship with
'difference' has intrigued people for centuries. The Genesis of
Artistic Creativity is a revealing exploration of the lives of 21
famous writers, philosophers, musicians and painters including George
Orwell, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Andy Warhol and many others, in light
of the recognized criteria for diagnosis of high-functioning autism and
Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Having diagnosed hundreds of individuals with
AS during his professional career, Professor Fitzgerald examines here
the social behaviour, language, humour, and obsessive interests and
routines that accompanied creative genius in the past four centuries.
From
Herman Melville's eccentric
breakfast habits and Simone Weil's intense dislike of being touched by
other people to Ludwig van Beethoven's inappropriate marriage proposals
and Vincent van Gogh's inability to form satisfying relationships with
others, the author offers compelling insights into the association
between creativity and autism spectrum disorders. This celebration of
artistic genius and AS will prove a fascinating read not only for
professionals in the field of autism and AS, but for anyone interested
in the sources of creativity and the arts.
Click to Buy on Amazon
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Autism
and Creativity is a stimulating study of male creativity and autism,
arguing that a major genetic endowment is a prerequisite of genius, and
that cultural and environmental factors are less significant than has
often been claimed. Autism and Creativity will
prove enthralling reading not only for professionals and students in
the field of autism and Asperger’s syndrome, but for anyone wanting to
know how individuals presenting autistic features have on many
occasions changed the way we understand society.
This
is quite simply the
best book I have read on autism . . . Fitzgerald is clearly an
experienced clinician and his deep understanding of the spectrum of
autism conditions comes across in his writings. But he is also an
exceptional scholar.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Cambridge
University. Click to Buy on Amazon
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Suceeding in College with Asperger Syndrome
demystifies the range of college experiences for students with AS. It
is a must for these students, their parents and counselors alike,
providing benefits that will continue throughout the college years and
beyond.
'This guide provides information to help these students prepare
successfully for the rites and rituals of studying, interact with staff
and fellow students, cope with expectations and pressures, and
understand their domestic and academic responsibilities.' - Autism US
'Students with Asperger Syndrome need an environment which is
encouraging if they are to succeed. This book is immensely important
for students and for the staff who are trying to make college an
enjoyable and productive experience. - Paul Shattock OBE, Director:
Autism Research Unit, University of Sunderland; Chairman European
Services for People with Autism, Hon Secretary: World Autism
Organisation.
Click to Buy on Amazon |
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Irish Families Under Stress Volume 7 focuses on History, Psychotherapy, Diabetes, Substance Misuse, Sudden Infant Death, Child Anxieties
Click on image to download the book in PDF format (note this is a large file and may take some time to download) |
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Irish Families Under Stress Volume 6 focuses on a Prevalence and Psychosocial Study of Autism in Dublin
Click on image to download the book in PDF format (note this is a large file and may take some time to download) |
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Irish Families Under Stress Volume 5 focuses on the Audit and Evaluation of a child psychiatry clinic
Click on image to download the book in PDF format (note this is a large file and may take some time to download) |
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Irish Families Under Stress Volume
4 focuses on Childhood Depression, Behaviour Problems, Delinquency,
Eating Problems, Adolescent Problems, Parental Mental Stress
Click on image to download the book in PDF format (note this is a large file and may take some time to download) |
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Irish Families Under Stress Volume 3 focuses on Blood Lead, Behaviour Problems, Adolescent Problems, Psychotherapy, Comparison of Ireland with Malaysia
Click on image to download the book in PDF format (note this is a large file and may take some time to download) |
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Irish Families Under Stress Volume 2 focuses on Education and behaviour Problems in over 2000 Irish Children
Click on image to download the book in PDF format (note this is a large file and may take some time to download) |
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Irish Families Under Stress Volume
1 focuses on Behaviour Problems in Children including Traveller
Children and Factors associated with Behaviour problems in Children
Click on image to download the book in PDF format (note this is a large file and may take some time to download) |
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Pathways to Child Hospitalization focuses on Psychosocial Issues in Relation to Child Hospitalization
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From Child to Adult |
List
Top | 1 | Fitzgerald
M.
(2010). Young, Violent
& Dangerous to Know. Nova Science
Publishers, New York. (Book on Forensic Psychiatry including Serial
Killers). | | 2 | Fitzgerald
M. (2008). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
Creativity, Novelty Seeking and Risk.
Nova Scientific: New York. | | 3 | Fitzgerald
M., O’Brien B. (2007). Genius Genes:
How Asperger’s syndrome Changed the World. Autism Asperger Publishing Company. | | 4 | Fitzgerald
M., James I. (2007). The Mind of the Mathematician. Johns
Hopkins University
Press: Baltimore. | | 5 | Fitzgerald
M., Bellgrove M., Gill M. (2007). Handbook of Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Wiley: New York | | 6 |
Walker A.,
Fitzgerald M. (2006). Unstoppable Brilliance. Dublin
Liberties Press. (Focuses on Emmet, de
Valera, Pearse, Hamilton, Boyle, Bates, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett). | | 7 | Harpur J.,
Lawlor M., Fitzgerald M. (2006). Succeeding with Interventions for Asperger’s syndrome and
Adolescents. London Jessica Kingsley. | | 8 | Lyons V., Fitzgerald M. (2005).
Asperger’s syndrome Gift or Curse?
Nova Scientific: New York. | | 9 | Fitzgerald
M. (2005). The Genesis of Artistic Creativity:
Asperger’s syndrome and the Arts. London Jessica Kingsley. (Also published in Japan). | | 10 | Fitzgerald
M. (2004). Autism and Creativity: Is there a link between autism in men and
exceptional ability? Brunner
Routledge: New York.
(Also published in Japan). | | 11 | Fitzgerald
M. The Roots of Creativity. Forthcoming from Edward Mellon Press. | | 12 | Harpur
J., Lawlor M., Fitzgerald M.
(2003). Succeeding in College
with Asperger’s syndrome. Jessica
Kingsley: New York. | | 13 |
Fitzgerald
M. (2003). Irish Families Under Stress – Volume 7. ISBN 0948 562 706. (Focuses on History, Psychotherapy, Diabetes,
Substance Misuse, Sudden Infant Death, Child Anxieties). | | 14 | Fitzgerald
M., Matthews P., Birkbeck G., O’Connor J.
(1996). Irish Families Under
Stress – Volume 6. ISBN 0948 562 34X. (Focuses on a Prevalence and Psychosocial
Study of Autism in Dublin). | | 15 |
Fitzgerald
M., Moukaddem S., Barry M. (1996). Irish Families Under Stress – Volume 5. ISBN 0948 562 897. Audit and evaluation of a child psychiatry
clinic. | | 16 | Fitzgerald
M. (1995). Irish Families Under Stress – Volume 4. ISBN 0948 562 099. (Focuses on Childhood Depression, Behaviour
Problems, Delinquency, Eating Problems, Adolescent Problems, Parental Mental
Stress. | | 17 | Fitzgerald
M. (1991). Irish Families Under Stress – Volume 3. ISBN 0948 562 064. (Focuses on Blood Lead, Behaviour Problems,
Adolescent Problems, Psychotherapy.
Comparison Ireland
with Malaysia). | | 18 | Jeffers
A., Fitzgerald M. (1991). Irish Families Under Stress – Volume 2. ISBN 0948 562 056. (Focuses on Education and behaviour Problems
in over 2000 Irish Children. It is one
of the largest ever carried out). | | 19 |
Fitzgerald
M. (1991). Irish Families Under Stress – Volume 1. ISBN 0948 562 048. (Focuses on Behaviour Problems in Children
including Traveller Children and Factors Associated with Behaviour Problems in
Children). | | 20 | McGee
H., Fitzgerald M. (1991). Pathways to Child Hospitalization. ISBN 0948 562 072. (Focuses on Psychosocial Issues in Relation
to Child Hospitalization). |
Press
Releases
Top
Announcing
a New Title from Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Asperger’s syndrome – A Gift or a
Curse?
Viktoria
Lyons and Michael Fitzgerald
ISBN
1594543879
Chapters
on neuro-psychological theories of autism and Asperger’s syndrome including
latest neurobiological research data, current interpretation of special gifts
and assets of the condition plus the advancement of a new hypothesis of Asperger’s
syndrome as a disorder of the social self are followed by an examination of the
life histories of ten contemporary and historical figures who had Asperger’s
syndrome including:
*
The writers Patricia Highsmith,
creator of ‘Mr. Ripley’ and Robert
Walser, tragic and mysterious literary genius of the 20th
century German literature.
*
Famous geniuses from the fields of science and philosophy including Charles
Darwin and Bertrand Russell as well as the unknown child prodigy William James Sidis and gifted
mathematician Kurt Gödel.
*
The ‘cinematic messiah’ Stanley Kubrick,
the sexologist Alfred Kinsey, the
controversial politician Enoch Powell and animal lover Joy Adamson.
The
profiles of these ten very different personalities give an insight into the
diversity and complexity of Asperger’s syndrome. Although the developmental
trajectories are similar, the outcomes can be very different. Asperger’s syndrome – A Gift or a Curse? will
prove a fascinating read not only for professionals in the field of autism and Asperger’s
syndrome, but also for anybody interested in this condition and the link with
creativity and outstanding ability.
NOVA SCIENCE PUBLISHERS, INC.
400 Oser Avenue, Suite 1600
Hauppauge,
NY 11788-3619,
U.S.A.
Tel.
(631)-231-7269. Fax. (631)-231-8175
e-mail: novascience@Earthlink.net
www.novapublishers.com
www.professormichaelfitzgerald.eu
Tel.
(00353) 86 8597545 or (003531) 821 1796.
Genius
Genes: How Asperger’s Syndrome Changed
the World.
Michael
Fitzgerald and Brendan O’Brien (2007).
What
makes a true artistic genius? Is there a
genetic basis for the spark that sets them apart?
This
book examines influential figures on various fields including Isaac Newton,
Albert Einstein, Alfred C. Kinsey, Thomas Jefferson, Stonewall Jackson, and Gerard Manley Hopkins.
“The
new view is that people with Asperger’s syndrome (AS) not only have a
disability (in managing rapidly changing social situations) but also have
talents (in attention to tiny details, persevering in pursuing a single topic
in depth for long periods, and the ability to see unchanging patterns).
Fitzgerald
and O’Brien have produced a beautiful book illustrating how some of the
greatest innovators in history may have had a significant number of autistic
traits or might have warranted a diagnosis of AS, had they been alive
today. They recognise that for
historical figures such speculation can never be validated beyond fragmented
biographical evidence, and that these great figures may not be representative
of all people with AS. Nevertheless,
their point is well made: people with AS should not be viewed as having a
“disease” in need of a cure or eradication.
They need support for their disability (which can be overwhelming)
whilst at the same time they need an environment that is “AS-friendly”, where
their talents can flourish. Just
occasionally, such talents can lead to important new insights or creativity.
The
scientific importance of this new view, which fits with the evidence from our
own lab over the past decade, is that the genes that cause AS may also be
involved in producing such talent”.
Professor
Simon Baron-Cohen, University
of Cambridge.
“I
wish this book had been available when I was being teased in high school for
being a weird nerd. Genius Genes is
recommended reading for individuals on the autism spectrum and for anyone who
has ever been called a nerd. It will
help them feel good about themselves and .motivate them to achieve their
dreams”
Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and Developing Talents.
“Above
and beyond the question of whether these giants of intellect and creativity
merited a diagnosis of autism, Genius Genes establishes how people with the
characteristics of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism have
contributed greatly to humanity, western civilization in particular. This is a must read for anyone interested in
how people with different ways of being can make the world a better place”.
Stephen
Shore, author of Beyond the Wall: Personal
Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome; editor and contributor to Ask
and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum;
co-author of Understanding autism for Dummies, member of the Board of Directors
of the Asperger’s Association of New England and the Board of Directors of the
Autism Society of America.
Autism
Asperger Publishing Company, 15490
Quivira Road, Overland Park,
Kansas 66221, U.S.A.
www.asperger.net
www.professormichaelfitzgerald.eu
Unstoppable Brilliance
Irish Geniuses and Asperger’s syndrome
Antoinette
Walker and
Professor
Michael Fitzgerald
Extent: 240pp
+ 4pp B&W plates
Price: €25
Format: Cased
HB, 240x160mm
ISBN: 1-905483-031
A
provocative and stimulating book for the general reader which suggests that
many of the most notable people in Irish politics, the arts and sciences may
have exhibited traits of Asperger’s syndrome – and much of their drive and
success may in some way be connected.
Figures
covered include: Robert Emmet, Padraig
Pearse, Eamon de Valera, Robert Boyle: scientist, William Rowan Hamilton:
mathematician; Daisy Bates: anthropologist, WB Yeats and Samuel Beckett.
Order Online at www.libertiespress.com
and
receive 10% discount on the €25 cover price
Irish Families Under Stress Volume 1 (1991) ISBN 0948 562 048; Volume II (1991) ISBN 0948 562 056; Volume III (1991) ISBN 0948 562 064; Volume IV (1995) ISBN 0948 562 099; Volume V (1996) ISBN 0948 562 897; Volume VI (1996) ISBN 0948 562 34X; Volume VII (2003) ISBN 0948 562 706.
Cleary A., Fitzgerald M., Nixon E. (2004).
From Child to Adult. A
Longitudinal Study of Irish Children and their Families. Criterion Press.
fitzi@iol.ie
www.professormichaelfitzgerald.eu
Tel.
(00353) 86 8597545 or (003531) 821 1796.
The Mind of the
Mathematician
Michael
Fitzgerald and Ioan James (2007).
What
makes the mathematician tick? How do
their minds process formulas and concepts that, for most of the rest of the
world’s population, remain mysteriously beyond comprehension? Is there a connection between mathematical
creativity and madness? In
the Mind of the Mathematician, internationally famous mathematician Ioan James
and accomplished psychiatrist Michael Fitzgerald look at the complex world of
mathematics and the mind. Together they
explore the behaviour and personality traits that tend to fit the profile of a
mathematician. They discuss mathematics
and the arts, savants, gender and mathematical ability, autism and
mathematicians, and the impact of personality disorders and mood disorders. Mathematicians discussed include Gödel,
Dirac, Hardy, Hadamard, Kovalevskaya, Poincare, and Gauss.
These
topics, together with a succinct analysis of the great mathematical
personalities of the past three centuries, combine to form an eclectic blend of
story and scientific inquiry that will fascinate all those curious about how a
mathematician’s mind really works.
Michael
Fitzgerald is a professor Child Psychiatry at Trinity
College in Dublin, Ireland. www.professormichaelfitzgerald.eu. This is his 16th book. Ioan James is professor of mathematics at Oxford University
and a Fellow of The Royal Society. He is
the author of seven books and over 100 research articles and an editor for the
mathematical journal, Topology.
Price
$30 / £20
Johns Hopkins University
Press,
2715 North Charles Street,
Baltimore,
MD
21218 – 4319,
U.S.A.
Republic of Ireland
& Northern Ireland:
Orders from the UK,
Continental
Robert Towers,
Europe, Africa, the Middle
East
2 the Crescent,
& South Asia:
Monkstown,
John
Wiley & Sons Ltd.,
Co. Dublin,
Distribution
Centre,
Republic of Ireland.
1 Oldlands Way,
Tel: (01) 280 6532
Bognor
Regis,
Fax: (01) 280 6020
West Sussex,
Email: rtowers@indigo.ie
P.O. 22 9SA, U.K.
Handbook of Attention
Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
Editors: Michael Fitzgerald, Michael Gill, Mark
Bellgrove.
2007.
Price £100 / €120. ISBN
0-470-01444-x. 544 Pages.
This book focuses on child and adult Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is
the definitive reference book on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It has contributions from USA, Australia,
Ireland, and the United Kingdom
including Russell Schachar, Eric Taylor, Stephen Farone, F. Xavier Castellanos,
Sam Goldstein, David Hay, Florence Levy and Mary Solanto.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a
prevalent disorder of childhood affecting approximately 5% of school-aged
children and adults. It is
characterised by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention,
hyperactivity and impulsivity. Despite
its diagnostic validity, the disorder remains controversial with a great deal
of misunderstanding among professionals and the public about the condition.
The Handbook of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is
a major clinical and research handbook presenting the latest research from
those working at the cutting-edge of ADHD.
It covers a range of topics including neurobiology, psychopharmacology,
educational and psychological aspects of ADHD and is a one-of-a-kind reference
for anyone working or researching in this area.
It
is the International Gold Standard Textbook on Child and Adult ADHD.
John
Wiley & Sons Ltd., Distribution Centre, 1 Oldlands Way, Bognor Regis,
West
Sussex, P.O. 22 9SA, U.K.
Email to:
cs-books@wiley.co.uk
fitzi@iol.ie
www.professormichaelfitzgerald.eu
Asperger Syndrome – A Gift or
a Curse?
Viktoria Lyons and Michael Fitzgerald
September 2005
- ISBN 1594543879
Chapters on
neuro-psychological theories of Autism and Asperger Syndrome including latest
neurobiological research data, current interpretation of special gifts and
assets of the condition plus the advancement of a new hypothesis of Asperger
syndrome as a disorder of the social self are followed by an examination of the
life histories of ten contemporary and historical figures who had Asperger
Syndrome including
* The writers Patricia Highsmith, creator of ‘Mr.
Ripley’ and Robert Walser, tragic
and mysterious literary genius of 20th century German literature.
* Famous
geniuses from the fields of science and philosophy including Charles Darwin and Bertrand Russell as well as the unknown child prodigy William James Sidis and gifted
mathematician Kurt Gödel.
* The ‘cinematic
messiah’ Stanley Kubrick, the
sexologist Alfred Kinsey, the
controversial politician Enoch Powell
and animal lover Joy Adamson.
The profiles of
these ten very different personalities give an insight into the diversity and
complexity of Asperger Syndrome. Although the developmental trajectories are
similar, the outcomes can be very different.
Asperger Syndrome – A Gift or a Curse? will prove a fascinating read not
only for professionals in the field of autism and Asperger syndrome, but also
for anybody interested in this condition and the link with creativity and
outstanding ability.
NOVA SCIENCE PUBLISHERS, INC.
400 Oser Avenue, Suite 1600
Hauppauge, NY 11788-3619
USA
Tel. (631)-231-7269 Fax.
(631)-231-8175
E-mail: novascience@Earthlink.net
www.novapublishers.com
PRESS
RELEASE
Did You Know that Enoch Powell and Stanley Kubrick had
Asperger Syndrome?
‘The price Newton had to pay for being a supreme
intellect was that he was incapable of friendship, love, fatherhood, and many
other desirable things. As a man he was a failure; as a monster he was superb’. Aldous Huxley about Sir Isaac Newton
Is it an
advantage to have Asperger Syndrome? Is it an insurmountable burden? Or is it a
difficult balancing act between both extremes? These are the questions the
authors of Asperger Syndrome – A Gift or a Curse? are examining. The life histories of ten
prominent personalities from the world of literature, film, philosophy,
mathematics, science and politics who had Asperger syndrome are analyzed
against the backdrop of neuropsychological theories of autism/Asperger syndrome
and current neurobiological research data.
Some of those
individuals were very successful in their area of expertise and led fulfilling
lives despite or because of their condition while for others life was a
continuous struggle. For example, Charles
Darwin, a loner and eccentric was one of the most influential and
revolutionary scientists of all times. Enoch
Powell, a man of enormous intellect, a workaholic and recluse, was a
controversial and enigmatic figure of British politics. Both personalities had
the support of their families. In contrast, the life of Bertrand Russell, foremost philosopher and mathematician of the 20th
century was defined by solitariness, superiority, emotional coldness, search
for a sense of self and deep unhappiness.
Other historical
and contemporary personalities figures examined retrospectively include the
‘cinematic messiah’ Stanley Kubrick,
the American sexologist Alfred Kinsey,
the eccentric crime writer Patricia
Highsmith, the child prodigy William
James Sidis, the tragic and mysterious Swiss writer Robert Walser, the animal lover Joy Adamson and gifted mathematician Kurt Gödel. The analysis illustrates the diversity and complexity
of Asperger syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder which is sometimes
associated with high intelligence and creativity and gives some insight why
some people with Asperger syndrome excel in life while others struggle.
Note to Editors: Dr. Viktoria Lyons is neuropsychologist
with special interest in the field of Autism/Asperger Syndrome. She was born in
Germany and has been living
in Ireland
for more than twenty years. Professor Michael Fitzgerald is Henry Marsh
Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Trinity
College, Dublin. He is the author of over 120
publications and 14 books on Autism/Asperger Syndrome. Dr. Lyons, e-mail: viktorialyons@yahoo.co.uk and
Professor Fitzgerald are available for interview + 353 86 8597547.
Asperger Syndrome – A Gift or a Curse? (ISBN 1-59454-387-9, $69 in hardcover) by NOVA Publishers Inc., 400 Oser Avenue, Suite 1600, Hauppauge, NY 11788-3619, USA.
E-mail: novascience@Earthlink.net.
Tel. 631-231-7269 Fax: 631-231-8175. www.novapublishers.com
PRESS
RELEASE
Did You Know that Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Kinsey had
Asperger Syndrome?
The price Newton
had to pay for being a supreme intellect was that he was incapable of
friendship, love, fatherhood, and many other desirable things. As a man he was
a failure; as a monster he was superb’. Aldous Huxley about Sir Isaac Newton
Is it an
advantage to have Asperger Syndrome? Is it an insurmountable burden? Or is it a
difficult balancing act between both extremes? These are the questions the
authors of Asperger Syndrome – A Gift or a Curse? are examining. The life histories of ten
prominent personalities from the world of literature, film, philosophy,
mathematics, science and politics who had Asperger syndrome are analyzed
against the backdrop of neuropsychological theories of autism/Asperger syndrome
and current neurobiological research data.
Some of those
individuals were very successful in their area of expertise and led fulfilling
lives despite or because of their condition while for others life was a
continuous struggle. For example, the ‘cinematic messiah’ Stanley Kubrick, creator of masterpieces such as ‘Clockwork
Orange’, ‘Lolita’ and ‘2001 – Space Odyssey’ a workaholic, recluse and
perfectionist had a contented life and great family support. In contrast, the
American Alfred Kinsey, scientist,
researcher, sexologist, world famous for his reports on the sexual lives of
American men had severe problems with his own sexuality and many other
psychopathic features. Likewise the renowned American writer of crime fiction, Patricia Highsmith suffered from additional psychiatric disorders and
led a life of loneliness and unhappiness defined by a desperate search for
identity. Even more heartbreaking, the life of William James Sidis, child prodigy, mathematical genius and
possibly America’s greatest brain who died at an early age alone and destitute,
was an enormous tragedy.
Other historical
and contemporary personalities figures examined retrospectively include the
controversial British Politician Enoch
Powell, the outstanding philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell, one of the most important scientists of all times Charles Darwin, the tragic and mysterious Swiss writer Robert Walser, the animal lover Joy Adamson and the gifted
mathematician Kurt Gödel. The
analysis illustrates the diversity and complexity of Asperger syndrome, a
neurodevelopmental disorder which is sometimes associated with high
intelligence and creativity and gives some insight why some people with
Asperger syndrome excel in life while others struggle.
Note to Editors: Dr. Viktoria Lyons is neuropsychologist with
special interest in the field of Autism/Asperger Syndrome. She was born in Germany and has been living in Ireland for more than twenty years.
Professor Michael Fitzgerald is Henry Marsh Professor of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry at Trinity College, Dublin.
He is the author of over 120 publications and 14 books. Dr. Lyons (e-mail: viktorialyons@yahoo.co.uk) and
Professor Fitzgerald Telephone: Int. 353 86 8597547 are available for
interview.
Asperger Syndrome – A Gift or a Curse? (ISBN 1-59454-387-9, $69 in hardcover) by NOVA Publishers Inc., 400 Oser Avenue, Suite 1600, Hauppauge, NY 11788-3619. E-mail: novascience@Earthlink.net. Tel. 631-231-7269 Fax:
631-231-8175. www.novapublishers.com
Genes And The Economic Crisis
New book looks at the risk takers who
caused the financial meltdown
New book Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
Creativity, Novelty Seeking, and Risk examines genetic aspects of financial
risk takers with a perfect example Robert Maxwell and others. It also looks at other risk takers in sport
e.g. Malcolm and Donald Campbell and others. Other creative risk takers in the book include Mark Twain, Jules
Verne, Thomas Cochrane, Walter Raleigh, Ulysses Grant, Richard Wagner, Kurt
Cobain, James Dean, Clark Gable, Jesse James, Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Che
Guevara, and St. Augustine.
These people’s brains are wired in a different fashion
because of the genetic abnormalities that they have. These are seen in mountain climbers, great
explorers, and the first Homo sapiens out of Africa
Literature And Creativity
Literature – The Role of Genetics,
Novelty, and Risk Taking A new book looks at the genetic, brain wiring, and
personality traits of great writers. It throws new light on the creative process from a brain
biological point of view. The book focuses on Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain.
Music And Creativity New book examines the personality of the great composers
from a genetic, brain wiring, and personality point of view. It throws new light on musical creativity with particular
reference to Richard Wagner, John Lennon, and Kurt Cobain. The
Political Brain The Brain, Politicians, Risk Taking, and Novelty
Seeking
A new book gives a new understanding of
politicians, their brain wiring, genetic profiles, and personality traits. It used a number of examples including
Ulysses Grant, Che Guevara, and Walter Raleigh.
The
Brain And Artistic Creativity A new book examines artistic creativity
from a brain wiring perspective, genetic perspective, and unique personality
traits. It uses as examples Oscar Wilde,
Picasso, Paul Gauguin, and Robert Capa. The Brain
Of The Military Leader A new book gives a unique insight into the
brains of military leaders. It focuses
on their unique brain wiring, genetic profiles, and personality traits. This is illustrated with references to Che
Guevara, Thomas Cochrane, Walter Raleigh and Ulysses Grant. The
Criminal Brain A new book looks at the unusual wiring of the
brain of the criminal as well as their genetic profile and personality
traits. It uses Jesse James and Walter
Raleigh to illustrate these unique insights.
The
Brain Of The Explorer A new book examines the unusual wiring of
the brain of explorers, their genetic profiles and personality traits. To illustrate these new insights the
explorers Wilfred Thesiger and Walter Raleigh are examined. Title: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder, Creativity, Novelty Seeking and Risk.
The
Brain Of A Feminist
A new book examines the unique brain wiring
of a socially revolutionary feminist, as well as examining genetic factors and
unique personality factors. It focuses
on the “first Lady Di” Lady Di Beauclerk. Title: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder, Creativity, Novelty Seeking and Risk.
Copy
of Book available from Nova Science or Professor
Michael Fitzgerald.
The Brain Of The Actor
A new book explores the abnormal wiring of
the brain in great actors, as well as their unique genetic profiles, and
personality traits. It focuses
particularly on Clark Gable and James Dean. Title: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder, Creativity, Novelty Seeking and Risk.
Copy
of Book available from Nova Science or
Professor
Michael Fitzgerald.The Roots of Creativity
What the Book is About. There
is a very close relationship between creativity and disability of one form or
another. This has been recognised for
thousands of years. Indeed Seneca stated
that “no great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness” and John
Dryden wrote “Great Wits are sure to Madness Near ally’d – and thin Partitions
do their bounds divide”.In
terms of the aetiology of creativity there is no doubt that genetic factors
play a significant part. Persons with
novelty / seeking personality traits, who have a genetic polymorphism called
dopamine D4 show creativity of an artistic type or are great explorers. They are excited by the new, the
unconventional and the innovative and examples here would be Ernest Shackleton
and Arthur Koestler. Another
type of creativity is described in this as autistic or Asperger type
creativity. Persons with this type of
creativity tend to loners, eccentric, outsiders, who are obsessed with their
massively imaginative minds for example Goethe, Blake, and Robert Louis
Stevenson. If
Homo sapiens did not have people with these traits mentioned in this book we
would still be in the cave with no cultural development and no exploration of
planet earth.
Great
creativity requires an unusual brain, a brain that is less integrated. It also requires personalities that are less
balanced and outside the so called “normal personality”. All these great creators paid a huge personal
price for their creativity and for enriching our world. The Roots of
Creativity Contribution
to Scholarship. Great
creators have been commonly misunderstood.
Persons with great creativity have baffled Homo sapiens for thousands of
years. Initially creativity was seen as
something that was given to the individual by the gods. Then it was thought to be due to “madness”. It is not.
Nobody in a full blown psychosis ever created anything of value. Nevertheless it is common for other members
of a family who have a person with schizophrenia to be highly creative. The creativity occurs in the members of the
family without the formal schizophrenia.
This book shows that previous simplistic notions of creativity being
related to simply depression do not stand up.
The fundamental source of their creativity is not their depression but
their Asperger’s syndrome or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and
novelty seeking. This explains why it
has often been noticed that the great creators have traits like persistence,
capacity to hyperfocus for long periods, enjoy solitary activity, and attend to
very small details. These are the traits
associated with Asperger’s syndrome. A
different set of traits are associated with Hyperkinesis and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder. These are
sensation seeking and novelty seeking traits that are often seen in great
artistic creators. Possible
Review Article Title: Taking
Risks.
Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity,
Novelty Seeking, and Risk.
Michael
Fitzgerald
Financial risk taking is one of the major
pre-occupations of the global community at present. A new book on Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity, Novelty,
Seeking and Risk throws new light on this topic from a genetic and a
personality point of view. As always it is a case of multiple genes of small
affect, environment, and culture interacting.
There are genes associated with novelty seeking, sensation seeking, and
risk taking. It has been people with
these characteristics who have been the drivers or leaders of the catastrophic
risk taking that has brought about the global recession. The controllers or regulators of these people
e.g. accountants, conservative banking people, risk managers failed in their
job to control these risk takers. Great
success in any enterprise means that you need the risk taking leaders or
innovators backed up by a cadre of more “plodding” careful people. These two groups are vital for each
other. In the past when we were lead by
the “plodders” society became stagnant, with no innovation and no growth. The situation was equally damaging for our society. What we have to learn from the current
financial catastrophe is that we have to create a healthy balance between risk
takers and excessively cautious fearful controllers. Companies and governments have to
continuously audit this balance. If risk
is reduced too much then you have the economic recession from stasis.
Not alone is there a genetic component to risk taking
through for example “novelty seeking genes” associated with Dopamine a
neurochemical associated with reward, risk taking, and novelty seeking are
activities which give a surge of the neurochemical Dopamine into the brain
which is rewarding. Risk taking people
tend to be hyperactive hence the association with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
We would still be in the cave in Africa
without the kind of people I have just described. These people, the explorers and risk takers
led Homo sapiens out of Africa and to the ends
of the earth.
This new book describes the best example of reckless
financial risk taking – the example being Robert Maxwell a psychopathic risk
taker. His personal financial life story
is not unlike the current global financial crisis. He was highly successful financially for a
long time until he grossly over extended himself and the Sunday Mirror noted
that he “stole 526 million . . . (and was) a gigantic fraudster” according to
Tom Bower’s book on Maxwell. It is
interesting that in the current crisis pension funds were again destroyed.
The issue is whether Homo sapiens have the capacity to
turn from its mistakes in the long term.
I don’t think we have the capacity to learn in the long term. We have a massive capacity to forget and to
deny. There is none so blind as the one
who does not want to see.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity, Novelty Seeking and Risk is published by Nova
Scientific: New York.
Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity,
Novelty Seeking and Risk
Michael Fitzgerald
A new book called Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity, Novelty
Seeking and Risk focuses on the positive aspects of ADHD. It appears that there is an overlap between
the genes for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder and creativity.
Unfortunately
psychiatry has focussed excessively on the deficit model of psychological
problems. I never received a lecture on
creativity during my medical or psychiatric career. The exclusive focus on the deficit model only
increases patient’s hopelessness, family’s hopelessness, and greatly increased
the continuing problem of stigma in psychiatry.
Despite the late Anthony Clare’s huge work in this area stigma remains a
huge problem in psychiatry.
Indeed
professionals involved with mental illness are the most fearful of it, which
has the effect of increasing stigma.
From
an evolutionary perspective persons with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder have contributed enormously to the development of the world,
especially in the area of exploration and culture. They have done this through novelty and
sensation seeking characteristics of Homo sapiens. These characteristics have genetic
underpinnings associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Homo sapiens would not have moved out of the
cave or out of Africa without persons with
these characteristics leading the ‘pack’.
Indeed one might hypothesise that the leaders of the Irish groups who
migrated out of Ireland
during the famine had more of these novelty seeking, sensation seeking
characteristics. An example of the
genetic polymorphisms involved here would be the Dopamine Receptor Variant, the
D4-7 allele. Recent research suggests
that the distribution pattern of the D4-7 allele among world populations is
similar to that of ancient migrating paths of our species. An allele is an alternative form that exists
of any single gene. In this book
examples of explorers would be Wilfred Thesiger who worked in Africa and the
war criminal in Ireland
who showed psychopathic tendencies Sir Walter Raleigh. From a literary perspective Mark Twain is
discussed and of course Huckleberry Finn is a classic of a book on a person
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is one of the great American
literary classics. Musical explorers
discussed in the book include Robert Wagner who had major traits of creative
psychopathy as did Picasso, Paul Gauguin, and Peggy Guggenheim who had an
affair with Samuel Beckett. Another
example would be Kurt Cobain the major pop singer and composer who became drug
addicted and completed suicide which is not rare among people with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If Kurt
Cobain who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in
childhood had stayed on his Ritalin he may not have become a drug addicted.
Females
can also be affected as was the first “Lady Di”. Lady Di Beauclerk a societal transgressor,
novelty seeker, and early feminist of the 18th century.
Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity, Novelty
Seeking and Risk has just been published by Nova
Scientific, New York.
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