Olga describes the real-world strategies that have made her son Billy better able to cope with life, and explains how working with autism's many strengths has led to a better quality of life for all her family. Full of advice for both day-to-day living and long-term progress, this is a positive and inspirational read.

1. About us. 2. About this book. 3. In the beginning. 4. Family life with Billy. 5. Tantrums. 6. A good day with a three-year-old. 7. A cross-country move. 8. How we learned that Billy is autistic. 9. Seeing autism - and recognizing what you see. 10. Enlightenment check. 11. Coming to terms. 12. A brief history of one boy's autism. 13. A guardian angel. 14. My first step in managing Billy - `buying time'. 15. Rituals. 16. Schedules. 17. Communicating in poetry. 18. ChOT (`The Choice-Offering Tool'). 19. Dealing with physical sensitivities. 20. Reserves of body and soul. 21. Starting the day. 22. Organizing the struggle. 23. The warrior-parent. 24. An example of a battle-plan. 25. Another battle considered. 26. Some battles in progress. 27. Autism and the phases of the moon. 28. OMAFED. 29. Using OMAFED. 30. A tantrum is not wrongdoing. 31. OMAFED and the rest of the world. 32. Happiness training. 33. Don't say don't. 34. `We use words and poems and songs'. 35. The value of friendship. 36. Sibling shame. 37. Books, books, books. 38. Menu, please. 39. Well-meaning people. 40. Finishing our school sage. 41. Summer school. 42. The academy - and home at last. 43. Epilogue - The four stages of life. Appendix 1 - Billy's words aged four. References. Index