Memory in autism /

Those looking for an introduction to the problems of memory in individuals with autism, information on memory issues of individuals who are not high functioning, realistic case material, and information about applied interventions will not find them in this book. Only one of this book's contributions--an unusual essay, co-authored by an individual with autism, that raises the ethical issue of equating difference with deficiency--will interest a broad audience. Rather, this is a book for readers who are in the market for a scholarly collection of research, review, and theory on the differences and similarities (more of the latter than one would think) in memory functions between individuals with Asperger's syndrome (or high functioning autism) and matched comparison groups. Boucher and Bowler (both, psychology, City Univ., London) and their contributors wrestle with the near-impossible task of identifying subtle differences while ruling out many potential confounding variables, and then they attempt to combine their results (and those of others) into a coherent explanation. Because of the inherent limitations of this type of research design--and not because of any failure on the part of editors or contributors--the result is at best tentative. Summing Up: Optional. Graduate students and researchers. K. M. Dillon emerita, Western New England College