This book will draw together the theoretical and practical sides of autism, and will discuss, in clear, easy-to-read terms, the importance of diagnosis, intervention, and treatment. This book provides the reader with a balanced understanding of the nature of autism spectrum disorders and the relationships between behavioral and neurobiological characteristics; explores implications of brain differences for early intervention and school transition strategies within an evidence-based practice framework; presents practical intervention approaches to emotional problems and challenging behavior in autism based on functional behavioral assessment and the role of medications; and examines the impact of autism on the family, and the central role of the family in intervention. The reader will become familiar with other disabilities that commonly co-exist with autism and the implications for intervention. Also, some of the reasons the field of autism has attracted questionable interventions and practical guidelines in evaluating the claims of proposed treatments are explored.