Much turmoil surrounds the devastating phenomena of autism. Theories about its causes and analyses of its symptoms vary so widely that the contradictions seem irreconcilable. In this work, Dr George Victor provides an integrating perspective that is needed by researchers, clinicans, teachers and others who work with autistic children. Divided into three sections, The Mystery , The Unfolding of a Pattern and Pieces of the Puzzle , the author examines the myths that cloud an understanding of this disorder, explores developmental contributions to it, and describes and probes the meanings of its specific behavioural symptoms.