This new series offers timesaving books on critical topics for educating students with autism spectrum disorders. The four books in this series are filled with practical information and advice, thus making them an ideal resource for classroom teachers, preservice teachers, and graduate students. This introductory text in the series provides an overview of the characteristics of children with autism, the symptoms associated with autism, and the general nature of autism. An explanation of the autism spectrum and the culture of autism also are presented.