Autism Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle

Steve Gutstein, a psychologist and autism specialist, has dedicated his life to bridging the social gap between children with autism and the rest of us. The result of his efforts is an innovative program—Relational Development Intervention—that takes social skills teaching to the next level. First you'll learn about the social development pathway of neurotypical children and the life-changing detour taken by children on the autism spectrum. The Gutstein takes you beyond theory and describes practical ways to steer children with autism onto a path of self discovery and social awareness, one that will ultimately bring them home to meaningful friendships, shared emotions, and heartfelt connection with the people in their lives.

Helpful sections include:

• Experience Sharing
• Autism: Life Without Experience Sharing
• Relational Development Intervention
• Principles of Treatment
• Laying the Foundation for Relational Development
• Becoming an Apprentice
• You & Me: Working Together as Partners
• Sharing Our Worlds
• Sharing Our Minds: The Inner Game
• True Friends

A practicing psychologist offers a new approach to developing social skills and relationships in children diagnosed with autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Gutstein describes ways to steer these children onto a bright new path of self discovery and social awareness, one that will ultimately bring them home to meaningful friendships, shared emotions and heartfelt connection with the people in their lives.

A practicing psychologist offers a new approach to developing social skills and relationships in children diagnosed with autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Gutstein describes ways to steer these children onto a bright new path of self discovery and social awareness, one that will ultimately bring them home to meaningful friendships, shared emotions and heartfelt connection with the people in their lives.

Dr. Steven Gutstein received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University. After completing post graduate work at Rutgers Medical School, Dr. Gutstein came to Baylor Medical School in 1979 as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics. Along with his innovative work in Autism and Aspergers Syndrome, Dr. Gutstein developed the Pediatric Psychology program for Texas Childrens Hospital. Funded by a Hogg Foundation Grant, Dr. Gutstein created the nationally reknowned Systemic Crisis Intervention Program for suicidal adolescents.

Most recently Dr. Gutstein was one of the founders of The Monarch School - the first school in the nation providing intervention for children with Executive Function Disorders. Dr. Gutstein, along with his wife of 21 years, Dr. Rachelle Sheely, are co-directors of The Connections Center for Family and Personal Development located in Houston, Texas. He is also the Clinical Director of The Monarch School. Dr.'s Gutstein and Sheely live in Houston, Texas with their two daughters, Hannah and Esther.