Introduction    xiii What is autism, and why is it called a spectrum disorder?    1 Is there really more autism now?    3 Do vaccines cause autism? If not, what does?    7 What are the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders?    11 What is sensory processing disorder, and how is it related to autism?    15 I think my child has an autism spectrum disorder. What can I do?    19 I think I have Asperger’s syndrome. What should I do?    23 My child has just been diagnosed with autism. How do I cope?    27 What do I do after the diagnosis?    31 Can autism be cured? Does everyone think it should be?    35 What are the treatments and therapies for autism?    37 What can be done to help with sensory processing challenges?    41 How do I make sure my child gets a good education?    45 How do I determine my child’s educational needs?    49 Why is it hard to know how much they understand? How can we gain a better picture of the child?    53 How can their special interests or obsessions help them to learn?    57 Why do children, teens, and adults act the way they do?    61 Self-stimulatory behavior: What is it, and what is its purpose?    65 What are the emotional and financial effects of autism on the family?    69 What are the effects of autism on the siblings?    75 Why are holidays difficult for families with autism?    79 I am the grandparent of a child with autism. What can I do to help?    83 A friend or relative I know has a child with autism. What can I do?     87 I’m a neighbor or community member. How should I react to or approach someone with autism?    91 Do those on the spectrum want friends? If so, why is it so difficult for them to make friends?    93 What are the safety concerns for someone on the autism spectrum?    97 What communication difficulties do they have?    103 Why are transitions from one place to another, or one activity to another, problematic?    109 How can we teach the concept of private and public behavior?    113 How can we teach them to be more independent, but also teach them interdependence?    115 How can we teach them self-regulation?    119 Why don’t they look me in the eye?    123 Why are emotions hard for them to understand?    125 How can we teach them self-esteem and self-advocacy?    127 What are the thirteen things to know about raising and educating a teenager on the spectrum?    131 Why do preteens and teens have a hard time with the body changes that puberty brings?    135 Why does it seem like their autism is getting worse at puberty?    137 Are adults on the spectrum interested in long-term relationships, marriage, and sex?    141 What is college like for young adults on the spectrum?    145 Why is it so hard for adults with autism to find and keep a job?    149 What hope is there for the future for people on the autism spectrum?    155