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This training programme has been developed in response to a real need for evidence-based early interventions for very young autistic children. It is designed to reduce the severity of emotional/behavioural difficulties by managing a child's particular problems and encouraging effective collaboration between professionals and parents.

Acknowledgements. Preface. Introduction. SECTION ONE: HOW TO RUN THIS PROGRAMME. Group Session 1. Outline and goals of the programme. Individual Session 1. An educational session with a focus on your child's development and behavioural symptoms. Group Session 2. Issues for parents after the diagnosis. Individual Session 2. Issues for parents after the diagnosis. Group Session 3. Understanding and managing difficult behaviour. Individual Session 3. Understanding and managing difficult behaviour. Group Session 4. How to change inappropriate behaviour by manipulating consequences. Individual Session 4. How to change inappropriate behaviour by manipulating consequences. Group Session 5. How to encourage new behaviour. Individual Session 5. How to encourage new behaviour. Group Session 6. Communication problems in autism in verbal children. Individual Session 6. Communication problems in autism in verbal children. Group Session 7. Communication problems in autism in non-verbal children. Individual Session 7. Communication problems in autism in non-verbal children. Group Session 8. Social impairment in autism. Individual Session 8. Social impairment in autism. Group Session 9. How to work and play together. Individual Session 9. How to work and play together. Group Session 10. Review and critique of programme - where next? Individual session 10. Review and critique of programme - where next? SECTION TWO: GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL SESSION NOTES 1-10. Group Session 1. Outline and goals of the programme. Individual Session 1. An educational session with a focus on your child's development and behavioural symptoms. Group Session 2. Issues for parents after the diagnosis. Individual Session 2. Issues for parents after the diagnosis. Group Session 3. Understanding and managing difficult behaviour. Individual Session 3. Understanding and managing difficult behaviour. Group Session 4. How to change inappropriate behaviour by manipulating consequences. Individual Session 4. How to change inappropriate behaviour by manipulating consequences. Group Session 5. How to encourage new behaviour. Individual Session 5. How to encourage new behaviour. Group Session 6. Communication problems in autism in verbal children. Individual Session 6. Communication problems in autism in verbal children. Group Session 7. Communication problems in autism in non-verbal children. Individual Session 7. Communication problems in autism in non-verbal children. Group Session 8. Social impairment in autism. Individual Session 8. Social impairment in autism. Group Session 9. How to work and play together. Individual Session 9. How to work and play together. Group Session 10. Review and critique of programme - where next? Individual session 10. Review and critique of programme - where next? Appendix 1. Useful websites and further reading. Appendix 2. Autism and Asperger's Disorder. References. Sample - Course completion certificate for parents.

Avril V. Brereton is a Senior Research Fellow in the Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology in Melbourne, Australia. She has worked for many years with autistic children and their families in a variety of research, teaching and clinical settings and provides consultation to community health, education and welfare agencies. She also presents educational workshops for parents and professionals. Bruce J. Tonge is Professor and Head of the Monash University School of Psychology and Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and established the successful Centre for Developmental Psychology and Psychiatry at the University. He has a distinguished record of teaching and research in child psychiatry, many years experience in clinical practice and a particular interest in Pervasive Developmental Disorders, mental health problems and intellectual disability, and effective treatments of emotional and behavioural disorders in childhood. Avril and Bruce are married and live in Melbourne with their children, Labradors, a cat and `Murray' the magpie. In their spare time, Avril enjoys playing the piano and pipe organ and Bruce enjoys music, reading and gardening.