Health Care and the Autism Spectrum -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1 How This Book Can Help -- About autism -- Health care problems and autism -- Psychological health issues -- Developing autism-friendly practice in health care -- 2 Consultation and Health Assessment -- Health awareness in people with autism -- Going to the doctor -- Understanding the autistic patient -- Key strategies for an effective consultation and health assessment -- A 'safe space' for consultation -- If 'meltdown' happens -- Concluding the consultation -- 3 Going to Hospital -- Attending hospital as a visitor -- Attending hospital clinics -- Attending hospital as an emergency -- Admission to hospital for investigations or day surgery -- Admission to hospital as an in-patient for surgery or medical care -- Admission to intensive care -- 4 Treatment -- Obtaining consent to treatment -- Compliance with medication and treatment decisions -- Administration of medicines -- Pain management -- 5 Nursing Care Issues -- Nursing care and the patient with an autism spectrum disorder -- Managing personal hygiene and encouraging self-care -- Maintaining patient safety -- Managing nutrition and eating difficulties -- Clinical care -- Sleep disorders and 'night-time wandering' -- Social aspects of being a hospital patient -- The dying patient and autism -- Discharge planning and aftercare -- 6 Social Support -- Support for families and carers -- Bereavement and autism -- Community education -- Afterword -- Appendix 1 'Fast Facts' about the autism spectrum -- Appendix 2 Key reading and resources -- References -- Subject Index -- Author Index.