The Dragons of Autism

1. About us. 2. About this book. 3. In the beginning. 4. Family life with Billy. 5. Tantrums. 6. A good day with a three-year-old. 7. A cross-country move. 8. How we learned that Billy is autistic. 9. Seeing autism - and recognizing what you see. 10. Enlightenment check. 11. Coming to terms. 12. A brief history of one boy's autism. 13. A guardian angel. 14. My first step in managing Billy - 'buying time'. 15. Rituals. 16. Schedules. 17. Communicating in poetry. 18. ChOT ('The Choice-Offering Tool'). 19. Dealing with physical sensitivities. 20. Reserves of body and soul. 21. Starting the day. 22. Organizing the struggle. 23. The warrior-parent. 24. An example of a battle-plan. 25. Another battle considered. 26. Some battles in progress. 27. Autism and the phases of the moon. 28. OMAFED. 29. Using OMAFED. 30. A tantrum is not wrongdoing. 31. OMAFED and the rest of the world. 32. Happiness training. 33. Don't say don't. 34. 'We use words and poems and songs'. 35. The value of friendship. 36. Sibling shame. 37. Books, books, books. 38. Menu, please. 39. Well-meaning people. 40. Finishing our school sage. 41. Summer school. 42. The academy - and home at last. 43. Epilogue - The four stages of life. Appendix 1 - Billy's words aged four. References. Index

This is a parent's account of living with a child with autism. It provides some good ideas which teachers and parents might adapt for use in school or at home. These books emphasise the main challenges and delights of caring for or teaching autistic children; also the need for a flexible approach by adults, and a sense of humour.