I: Introduction and Overview -- 1 Introduction to Preschool Issues in Autism -- 2 A Parent's Perspective on the Preschool Years -- 3 Normal Childhood Development from Birth to Five Years -- II: Specific Aspects of Autism -- 4 Early Social Development in Autism -- 5 Communication in Preschool Autistic Children -- 6 Behavior Management in the Preschool Years -- III: Diagnostic, Assessment, and Programmatic Aspects -- 7 Assessment of the Young Autistic Child -- 8 Medical Syndromes in Young Autistic Children -- 9 Interpreting Results to Parents of Preschool Children -- 10 Early Intervention for Children with Autism and Related Developmental Disorders -- 11 Current Practices in Early Intervention for Children with Autism -- 12 Federal Legislation for Young Children with Disabilities -- Author Index.