This guide is designed to assist families and service providers with developing individualized family service plans (IFSPs) for families of children (birth to 3) in Connecticut who exhibit characteristics of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), autism, or related disorders. Sections address the following topics: terminology, early identification and diagnosis, characteristics of children with PDD/autism, intervention, principles of child development, curriculum, intensity of intervention, supportive teaching environments, measuring progress, intervention in natural environments, functional approach to problem behaviors, family support, controversial or alternative treatments, transition to preschool, strategies and intervention techniques, embedding teaching strategies into natural routines, focus on communicative intent, sensory integration, augmentative/alternative communication, applied behavior analysis, discrete trial instruction, and incidental teaching. Also included are answers to questions parents ask and 10 appendices including the mission statement of the Connecticut Birth to Three System, the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, a list of early indicators for screening, and suggested questions for parents to ask regarding treatments. (Contains approximately 50 references.) (DB)