This guide offers practical guidance for parents and practitioners working directly with children who have autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Chapter 1 distinguishes between the two conditions, offers a practical definition of autism, and stresses the importance of individual differences. Chapter 2 is on identifying special needs in autism and notes the role of diagnosis in education and care, primary and secondary difficulties, and "theory of mind" explanations. Chapter 3 focuses on developing social skills including particular social difficulties such as physical withdrawal, negativism, and peer relationships. Chapter 4 is on enabling communication, including language difficulties, developing language, facilitated communication, fostering communication, and communication problems. Chapter 5 offers suggestions for encouraging flexibility in thinking and behavior. Chapter 6 is on behavior management and urges setting priorities, seeing disruptive behavior as communication, identifying unwanted behavior, and changing behavior. Chapter 7 is on working with emotions including recognizing emotional cues, sexuality, and bereavement. Chapter 8 considers the development of life and leisure skills. The final chapter offers models of practice from Spain, France, Hungary, and South Africa. (Contains 17 references.) (DB)