Much turmoil surrounds the devastating phenomenon of autism. Theories about its causes and analyses of its symptoms vary so widely that the contradictions seem irreconcilable. In The Riddle of Autism, Dr. George Victor provides an integrating perspective that is needed by researchers, clinicians, teachers, and others who work with autistic children. Divided into three sections - "The Mystery," "The Unfolding of a Pattern," "Pieces of the Puzzle" - Dr. Victor examines the myths that cloud an understanding of this disorder, explores developmental contributions to it, as well as describes and probes the meanings of its specific behavioral symptoms.