Portland, OR -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/14/2009 -- Licensed psychologist, Dr. Kathy Marshack, is launching a new support group, “Asperger Syndrome: Partners and Family of Adults with ASD,” in Portland, OR. This is not a therapy group, rather a place for people to learn from others and to share their story about the often frustrating and isolating life of loving an adult with Asperger Syndrome Disorder (ASD).

In addition to providing therapy to families dealing with ASD, Dr. Marshack is the author of “Life with a Partner or Spouse with Asperger Syndrome: Going over the Edge?” (Autism, Asperger Publishing Co. 2009).

Marshack explains what motivated her to start this group, “After I posted the first chapter of my new book on my website, I was completely overwhelmed by the huge response from people around the world looking for guidance and support on how to navigate a relationship with a partner with Asperger Syndrome.”

The group is being organized through Meetup.com. Those interested in joining the group in Portland, Oregon can go to www.meetup.com/Asperger-Syndrome-Partners-Family-of-Adults-with-ASD/. There is no charge for participating in this group. This group is exclusively for Neuro-typicals, for those who love and care for adults with Asperger Syndrome.

In addition to providing a safe, supportive place to share their experiences, Dr. Marshack sees this group as a forum to learn more, through books, films and guest speakers. For example, she believes films such as "Mozart and the Whale" will stimulate important discussions about life as a partner of an ASD adult. Dr. Marshack will also invite experts in the field of Asperger Syndrome to speak, thereby creating a counterpoint to personal experience.

Here are the details for the first meeting:

When: Saturday, May 23rd at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Restaurant in Portland, address available on group web page.
What: Topic is Dr. Marshack’s new controversial book “Going over the Edge?”
Register: Sign-up at http://www.meetup.com/Asperger-Syndrome-Partners-Family-of-Adults-with-ASD/

More information about Dr. Marshack and her new book is available on her website – http://www.kmarshack.com.

About Kathy Marshack, Ph.D.
Kathy J. Marshack, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR. She has more than 30 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist and business coach. Dr. Marshack has written two previous books, a variety of articles and a family business column, and is a contributor to the nationally acclaimed Sixty Things to Do When You Turn Sixty. She has been profiled by national and local media, such as CNN, the Lifetime Channel, USA Today, and National Public Radio. Learn more by visiting http://www.kmarshack.com.