ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the different types of difficulties experienced by pupils with Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and helps practitioners to understand their diverse needs. For all families it is a devastating blow but for some the shock is tempered by the knowledge that at last someone has given a name to their childs difficulties. Many of the emotions experienced will follow a pattern similar to that of bereavement and each family member may be at a different stage in the process of understanding and accepting the autism in their child. It is quite natural to want to search for a treatment or cure but it can be a depressing experience when it becomes apparent that there is no cure. The lack of an obvious disability can cause misunderstanding of a childs behavioural challenges, e.g. throwing themselves on the floor in the supermarket if they cant follow their own routine.
