The jumbled jigsaw : an insider's approach to the treatment of Autistic Spectrum 'Fruit Salads'

Exposes autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) not as single entities but as a combination of a whole range of often untreated, sometimes easily treatable, underlying conditions. Explores mood, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders, information processing and sensory perceptual difficulties, including dependency issues and identity problems. Demonstrates how a number of such conditions can combine to form a 'cluster condition' and underpin the label 'autism spectrum disorder'.Encourages and empowers families to look at what they can do to change their child's environment to address anxiety, overload and other issues. Gives carers the necessary information to navigate the booming autism marketplace and demand the right tools for the job. Challenges professionals to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to identifying and treating the cluster conditions that make up an autism spectrum diagnosis, and to improve service delivery to those in need.