Includes bibliographical references.

Part I, ASD, the simple facts. Nuts and bolts -- Diagnosis -- The pervasive developmental disorders are hard-wired -- How to recognise the person who has ASD -- How people with ASD see the world -- Stress and anxiety -- And now for the good news -- Part II, ASD, what can we do about it?. Guiding principles -- Remember, this person is hard-wired differently -- Seek alternative explanations for behaviour -- Make sure that everybody involved understands -- Listen to what the person with ASD tells you -- Listen to what the family tells you -- Make sure you have the right chair of the board -- Create structure and predictability -- Anticipate and deal with transitions -- Create self-help options -- Compensate for lack of self-directed learning -- Work through strengths, by-pass weaknesses -- Abandon the standard curriculum -- Teach skills for life -- Use visual approaches to learning whenever possible -- Stay concrete: avoid metaphor, irony, sarcasm, cynicism, etc. -- Reinforce teaching of social skills -- Deal with stress -- Remember that not much learning occurs when there is stress -- Remember that punishment does not produce learning -- Avoid power struggles -- Specific intervention programmes that may help -- Specific intervention programmes that have no proof that they work.