November 2006

Woodland Hills, CA – A student film offering insight into the difficulties a young adult with Asperger Syndrome has as he struggles to interact with peers and participate in ordinary activities will headline a talk given by Robert F. Fischer, M.D. at the NATSAP conference in La Jolla in February. Also featured is an interview with Peter Tanguey, M.D., a leading expert on Asperger’s.

Dr. Fischer is the Executive Director of the Optimum Performance Institute. The topic of his talk at NATSAP will be, “So You Think Your Student Has A Little Bit of Asperger’s?” It will begin at 10:30 a.m. on February 1st.

The documentary was written, directed and filmed by OPI Participants under the supervision of OPI mentor Michael Andreen, well-known film-maker. The young film-makers documented young adults at OPI and interviewed Dr.Tanguey. Participants with the disorder also asked their own, personal questions during Dr. Tanguey’s recent visit to OPI executive offices.

On the film Dr. Tanguey discusses his perspectives, presenting his alternative to the current DSM-IV definition of Asperger’s and Autism, He proposes renaming it “Social Communication Spectrum Disorder”. Dr. Tanguey said programs such as OPI where young adults with the Disorder are integrated into a diverse and therapeutic community affords them the greatest advantages and opportunity for success.

At NATSAP Dr. Fischer and Jeffrey Kestenbaum, LCSW, Director of Counseling at OPI, will present a general overview about the disorder and discuss relevant treatment modalities such as medication and dynamic individual and group psychotherapy.

The Optimum Performance Institute is a highly individualized therapeutic, educational and residential program for young adults ages 17-25 years old. For further information please contact Anne LaRiviere, Director of Admissions and Marketing at (888) 558-0617.