Autism: Medical and Educational Aspects

Though autism is one of the best documented and validated childhood psychiatric syndromes, there remains an enormous gap between theoretical understanding of autism and understanding of it in the practice of daily life. This book aims to go some way towards bridging that gap. In common with visual or auditory impairments, the cause of autism is physical, biological and organic. Likewise, just as people with impaired sight or hearing need education and guidance specific to their needs, people with autism require specialized education and support matched to their particular difficulties. This book, aimed at the medical community and the teaching profession, introduces the medical background to autism and discusses current educational approaches to helping those diagnosed as autistic. The book sets out to inspire as well as to inform those involved with the medical or educational management of people with autism.