Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

1. Defining Autism -- 2. Is My Child Autistic? -- 3. The Diagnosis Process -- 4. What is it Like to be Autistic? -- 5. Sensory Differences -- 6. Interventions -- 7. Creating an Autism-friendly Home -- 8. Mental Health -- 9. Learning to Play -- 10. Siblings -- 11. Nursery and School -- 12. Support in Education -- 13. Playdates -- 14. Girls and Autism -- 15. Autism in Black and Minority Ethnic Communities -- 16. Holidays.

For every child diagnosed with autism, there are usually two worried parents who may not have a clue about the condition or how best to help their little one. Jessie Hewitson's son was two-years old when he was diagnosed with autism. Like many other worried parents before her, Jessie's immediate instinct was to learn everything she could about the condition and how best to support her child. But when The Times award-winning journalist embarked on her own investigative process, she soon uncovered a cloud of conflicting, panic-inducing information. She realised that advice from unsafe corners of the internet, strangers and even well-meaning friends can make you feel overwhelmed, vulnerable and disheartened. She decided to write this book to provide other parents in similar situations with a wealth of practical and reliable support, all in one place. Expertly researched, Autism includes interviews with academics, education lawyers, pediatricians, psychologists, speech and language therapists and parents such as David Mitchell and Melanie Sykes. Jessie covers everything, from ways to make your home more autism-friendly; how to help your child with eating, sleeping and anxiety; how to access the right support at school; what to do when your child is having a meltdown and how to feel closer to them. How, in short, to raise a happy autistic child.