'Coping with a diagnosis of autism can be a troubling and confusing experience for parents. Ignorance of this bewildering disorder can provoke difficult decision-making for parents and physicians alike. What causes autism? What happens to children with autism when they grow up? Does autism

run in families? What kind of educational setting is best? In this accessible, comprehensive book, the authors have discovered the questions on the minds of parents and professionals, and have attempted to answer them. Autism is a puzzling disorder. It begins in early childhood, and disrupts many

aspects of development, leaving the child unable to form social relationships or communicate in the usual way. This fascinating book explains in a clear, straightforward manner what is known about the condition. Helpful appendices identify organizations and resource providers concerned with

autism. Written first and foremost as a guide for parents, but required reading for interested professionals, it covers the recognition and diagnosis of autism, its biological and physiological causes, and the various treatments and educational techniques available. It presents the facts, allowing

the reader to take an informed position about children with autism. Autism: The Facts sensitively and straightforwardly answers many of the difficult questions and concerns regarding this perplexing, and often hard-to-manage disorder. In addition to serving as a practical sourcebook for parents, it

will be a useful and informative reference for physicians, therapists, social workers, and students of psychology, psychiatry, and special education.'

1. Introducing two children with autism

2. How the diagnosis is made

3. Coping with the news

4. What causes autism

5. The brain

6. Psychological problems

7. Intelligence and special talents

8. Education: what can be done?

9. Other therapies

10. Medical treatments

11. Adolescence and adulthood

Appendix 1: International societies and associations for children and adults with autism

Appendix 2: Two systems used by psychiatrists for diagnosing autism

Appendix 3: Some examples of behaviour therapy for specific problems

Recommended further reading

Glossary

Index