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Autism in Adolescents and Adults pp 11–36Cite as

A Developmental Perspective of Adolescence

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Part of the book series: Current Issues in Autism ((CIAM))

Abstract

Our understanding of “normal adolescence” is full of unknowns and speculation; the study of the exceptional adolescent is just beginning. It is the aim of this chapter to give an overview of what is known of normal adolescence so we might better understand the issues faced by the autistic teenager and his family in terms of developmental changes and behavioral expectations. After a brief historical perspective we will focus on three major aspects which define adolescence: physical development, cognitive development, and social-emotional development. At the end of each of these sections some comments will be made concerning what is known about the autistic adolescent within each of these three major areas of development. At the end of the chapter additional comments will be made as to the challenge which awaits parents, researchers, and the autistic adolescent himself.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Diagnostic and Development Clinic, Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, Delaware, 19899, USA

    Wayne V. Adams & David V. Sheslow

Authors
  1. Wayne V. Adams
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  2. David V. Sheslow
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division TEACCH, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 27514, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

    Eric Schopler

  2. Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 27514, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

    Gary B. Mesibov

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© 1983 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Adams, W.V., Sheslow, D.V. (1983). A Developmental Perspective of Adolescence. In: Schopler, E., Mesibov, G.B. (eds) Autism in Adolescents and Adults. Current Issues in Autism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9345-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9345-1_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-9347-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-9345-1

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