Over 500,000 people of all ages in the UK have disorders in the autistic spectrum. About one-third also have varying degrees of learning difficulty. All have impairment of social interaction, communication and imagination - the world appears a bewildering and sometimes frightening place.

Wing's acclaimed guide explains how people with autism experience the world and why they need an organized, structured environment. She suggests ways of improving communication, developing abilities and widening social interaction, and how to cope with stresses within the family.