**1. Introduction**

It is well known that autism is a complex, currently incurable disorder with an unclear etiol‐ ogy, and that individuals with autism typically have normal life expectancies which require parents, and later siblings, to provide varying levels of lifelong care. Because of the complex‐ ity of the disease, it is critically important to help families understand the disorder, manage stress, and sift through information that frequently includes erroneous media views and un‐ substantiated claims of treatment efficacy. This chapter will help families and advising pro‐ fessionals by providing them with an overview of several topics: first, the common reactions and beliefs about autism and individuals with autism that are held by family members; sec‐ ond, the family-centered as well as complementary and alternative treatment approaches that are currently available; and finally, the best recommendations for helping families adapt to an autism diagnosis and maintain healthy functioning as caregivers—all while planning for, and addressing the lifelong needs of, individuals with autism.
