Form Your Own Opinion

Autism is hotly debated, and not all professionals, parents, and people with ASD themselves agree on how to interpret the disorder. For one thing, should it even be called a disorder? Professionals and parents would say yes - some people with ASD would say no. And even within those categories, there is disagreement. The best way to understand ASD is not to sit back and just let people like me tell you what it is. The best way is to learn yourself. Get to know your friend with ASD and ask them what the word autistic means to them. Read about autism - not just from one of the perspectives, but from many. Here are several articles about autism, from each point of view. Read them and you will be well on your way to understanding autism. If you have time for only a few, then I would recommend reading those from the point of view from people with ASD, as the other perspectives are more common and likely you've already been exposed to them to some degree.

Professional Perspective
An Autism Fact Sheet from the CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html 

Parent's Perspective
A Parent's Guide to ASD
http://www.autismweb.com/info.htm 

People with ASD's Perspective
The Language of Autism
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/the-language-of-autism/
Should Autism Be Cured?
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/health/20autism.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&sq=amy%20harmon%20and%20autism&st=nyt&oref=slogin&scp=3&