Resources: Review - Autism overview wins mainstream recognition

Some of the credit for this raised profile must go to Jessica Kingsley Publishers, which in the past couple of years has built up a formidable list of titles on autism and Asperger's syndrome. Recent releases have covered those with severe learning difficulties, those with very high achievement, sexuality, campaigning for services and dealing with problems of food aversion. Fleisher's story is one of a highly intelligent young man - not a circus freak, just a very able mathematician - who has managed to overcome or at least mitigate some of the disabling aspects of his condition.

The early chapters give an overview of autism spectrum disorders, explaining the extreme complexity of the condition and portraying in clear, vivid and moving terms the kind of problems faced. In particular, Fleisher explains the need for structure and predictability, and the way that some issues and worries can spiral up into extremes of panic and anxiety. The description of his terror at having to deal with unreliable plumbers as they replace his hot water tank is both terrifying and amusing, and crucially very helpful in understanding the mindset.