|
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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Examination
Papers - Single Statement and
Extended Matching Items |
|
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Pressure
Points on Irish Families
A
free e-book
Click on link to the left
(e-book can be downloaded there) |
|
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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 |
Harpur
J., Lawlor M., Fitzgerald M. (2003). Succeeding in College
with Asperger’s syndrome. Jessica
Kingsley: New York. |
| 12 |
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). |
| 13 |
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). |
| 14 |
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. |
| 15 |
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. |
| 16 |
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). |
| 17 |
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). |
| 18 |
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). |
| 19 |
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
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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