Leo Kanner, an American child psychiatrist, first used the term, “infantile autism” in 1943 to describe children who, he believed, were happiest alone, living in a shell and “oblivious” to everything around them. Since then, much research and effort has been undertaken to help the many children and families affected by autism.

Despite society’s nostalgic notions about childhood being idyllic and innocent, all children experience distress, frustration, disappointment, and anger, on a regular basis. One in five children has a mental health problem which needs attention and which is likely to get worse, not better, over time.