Looking at autism through the lens of stress and coping changes how one sees and responds to the puzzle of autism. The diverse contributions in this edited volume enlarge our knowledge of autism, offer strategies for ameliorating stress and for coping with the challenging behavior associated with autism.

This important volume provides a theoretical framework for the usefulness of the stress construct in understanding and treating autism. Contributions by researchers, clinicians, teachers and persons living with autism illustrate how stress influences the lives of persons with autism; how those touched by autism cope with stress; and how clinicians, teachers and caregivers can reduce the impact of stress in autism, experience of stress in autism, and daily-life strategies for the reduction of stress in autism.

Narratives by individuals with autism, family members, clinicians, and a historian help to understand in a rich and unique way in which the role and impact of stress in the life of people living with autism. First-person accounts also highlight creative coping strategies over a lifetime. This volume's biological, psychological and social perspectives on stress and autism reflect many modes of inquiry and types of information. Stress and Autism will be of great help to both mental health professionals and caregivers alike.