Introduction
Asperger Syndrome is a neurobiologically-based condition considered to be on the autism spectrum. It has great variability in its manifestation, sometimes making diagnosis complicated. It is a lifelong condition, but it may not always be recognized or treated in childhood because affected children may seem so high functioning in many ways. Despite good cognitive ability, they may experience a wide array of social, sensory, and communication problems that can have devastating consequences on their educational, personal, and vocational functioning.
Read Understanding Asperger Syndrome.
Read What Does a Student With Asperger Syndrome Need in a School Program?
Early diagnosis is important as it helps families and schools understand the social, self-regulatory, and organizational needs that often go unaddressed. Appropriate treatment and educational intervention can positively change outcomes for children and are critical to achieving a healthy adult outcome. Diagnosis during adolescence or adulthood can help the affected individual understand and manage existing problems and is important in designing appropriate interventions for individuals who are so frequently misunderstood.
The Asperger Institute at the NYU Child Study Center was established in October 2006. The Institute is composed of three equally important and inter-related elements:
- Clinical services for children and adults with Asperger Syndrome and related conditions
- An educational program including a laboratory classroom for adolescents who are academically gifted and have Asperger Syndrome
- A state-of-the-art basic and clinical research program on Asperger Syndrome and related conditions
Clinical Services
New Social Skills Training Groups
Group treatment methods have been demonstrated to be particularly effective for the development of social and emotional skills for individuals with Asperger Syndrome. Learn more about the group services we offer.
The Child Study Center offers an array of clinical services to address the special needs of individuals with Asperger Syndrome and their families. Lynda Geller, Ph.D., is the Clinical Director of the Asperger Institute. Clinical services include:
- Interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation
- Social skills groups
- Family support and education
- Psychiatric assessment and treatment
- Individual cognitive behavior therapy
- Educational consultation
- College support preparation
- Transitional life planning and support
Educational Program
The Child Study Center is developing the Advanced Learning Lab, a laboratory classroom for academically gifted young adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. Our goal is to create and pilot curriculum materials that schools and families may use for working with middle and high school students with Asperger Syndrome.
In addition, we will be piloting the concept of cooperative home schooling for this population. Our goal here is to develop a model to empower families all over the country whose children are suffering in typical placements to develop individualized programs with specialized social components. An after-school social and recreational program will also be an important element of this project.
Research Program
All aspects of the Asperger Institute are closely tied to the research program. The components being developed within the educational program will be piloted and tested, as will many of the aspects of the clinical services. In this way, the Asperger Institute will continually contribute knowledge of what really works for this population. Clinical and educational research on Asperger Syndrome is in its infancy and the Child Study Center plans to make important contributions to evidence-based intervention.
In addition, basic researchers who are examining important aspects of neurodevelopment and etiology will join our research faculty to contribute to the knowledge of underlying aspects for Asperger Syndrome and related conditions and to interact with scientists already at NYU who are examining critical questions in neurology, biology, psychology, and education.
For complete information regarding the Asperger Institute at the NYU Child Study Center, download the brochure (PDF) on the right side of this page.
For more information please call the Asperger Institute at (212) 652-1970. To schedule and appointment, please contact our intake coordinator at (212) 263-8916 or email us at services@aboutourkids.com.
