The following sites all give an overview and definitions of autism.
From the National Autistic Society http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=114
These pages where written by a GP/PHD http://www.healing-arts.org/children/autism-overview.htm
From a parents perspective. http://www.aboutautism.org.uk/overview.htm
With a slant on education http://www.mugsy.org/connor1.htm
From a support group http://www.bach.demon.co.uk/alas/
Check out Wendy Lawson's pages http://www.mugsy.org/wendy/index2.htm
Famous people thought to be on the autistic spectrum
Historical famous people
Jane Austen, 1775-1817, English novelist, author of Pride and Prejudice
Béla Bartók, 1881-1945, Hungarian composer
Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827, German/Viennese composer
Alexander Graham Bell, 1847-1922, Scottish/Canadian/American inventor of the telephone
Anton Bruckner, 1824-1896, Austrian composer
Henry Cavendish, 1731-1810, English/French scientist, discovered the composition of air and water
Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886, US poet
Thomas Edison, 1847-1931, US inventor
Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, German/American theoretical physicist
Henry Ford, 1863-1947, US industrialist
Kaspar Hauser, c1812-1833, German foundling, portrayed in a film by Werner Herzog. Uta Frith discusses Kaspar in her book 'Autism Explaining The Enigma'.
Oliver Heaviside, 1850-1925, English physicist
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, US politician
Carl Jung, 1875-1961, Swiss psychoanalyst
Franz Kafka, 1883-1924, Czech writer
Wasily Kandinsky, 1866-1944, Russian/French painter
H P Lovecraft, 1890-1937, US writer
Ludwig II, 1845-1886, King of Bavaria
Charles Rennie Mackintosh, 1868-1928, Scottish architect and designer
Gustav Mahler, 1860-1911, Czech/Austrian composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1756-1791, Austrian composer
Isaac Newton, 1642-1727, English mathematician and physicist
Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900, German philosopher
Bertrand Russell, 1872-1970, British logician
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950, Irish playwright.
Richard Strauss, 1864-1949, German composer
Nikola Tesla, 1856-1943, Serbian/American scientist, engineer, inventor of electric motors
Henry Thoreau, 1817-1862, US writer
Alan Turing, 1912-1954, English mathematician, computer scientist and cryptographer
Mark Twain, 1835-1910, US humorist
Vincent Van Gogh, 1853-1890, Dutch painter
Ludwig Wittgenstein, 1889-1951, Viennese/English logician and philosopher
Historical people prominent in the late twentieth century (died after 1975)
Isaac Asimov, 1920-1992, Russian/US writer on science and of science fiction.
Hans Asperger, 1906-1980, Austrian paediatric doctor after whom Asperger's Syndrome is named
John Denver, 1943-1997, US musician
Glenn Gould, 1932-1982, Canadian pianist
Jim Henson, 1936-1990, creator of the Muppets, US puppeteer, writer, producer, director, composer
Alfred Hitchcock, 1899-1980, English/American film director
Howard Hughes, 1905-1976, US billionaire
Andy Kaufman, 1949-1984, US comedian, subject of the film Man on the Moon
L S Lowry, 1887-1976, English painter of "matchstick men"
Charles Schulz, 1922-2000, US cartoonist and creator of Peanuts and Charlie Brown
Andy Warhol, 1928-1987, US artist
Contemporary famous people
Woody Allen, 1935-, US comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, jazz clarinettist
Tony Benn, 1925-, English Labour politician
Bob Dylan, 1941-, US singer-songwriter
Joseph Erber, 1985-, young English composer/musician who has Asperger's Syndrome, subject of a BBC TV documentary
Bobby Fischer, 1943-, US chess champion
Bill Gates, 1955-, US global monopolist
Genie, 1957-?, US "wild child" (see also L'Enfant Sauvage, Victor, above)
Crispin Glover, 1964-, US actor
Al Gore, 1948-, former US Vice President and presidential candidate
Jeff Greenfield, 1943-, US political analyst/speechwriter, a political wonk
David Helfgott, 1947-, Australian pianist, subject of the film Shine
Michael Jackson, 1958-, US singer
Garrison Keillor, 1942-, US writer, humorist and host of Prairie Home Companion
Kevin Mitnick, 1963-, US "hacker"
John Motson, 1945-, English sports commentator
John Nash, 1928-, US mathematician (portrayed by Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind, USA 2001)
Keith Olbermann, 1959-, US sportscaster
Michael Palin, 1943-, English comedian and presenter
Keanu Reeves, 1964-, Lebanese/Canadian/US actor
Oliver Sacks, 1933-, UK/US neurologist, author.
James Taylor, 1948-, US singer/songwriter
Writers on autism
Gunilla Gerland, 1963-, Swedish
Temple Grandin, 1947-, US
Wendy Lawson, 1952-, English/Australian
Edgar Schneider, 1932-, US
Donna Williams, 1963-, Australian/English
Some books I have read
Mind Of One's Own 2nd edition. Digby Tantum & Prestwood
Autism : Explaining the Enigma (Cognitive Development) Uta Frith
Autism The Facts Baron-Cohen S. and Bolton P.
What Is An Autistic Spectrum Disorder? Jones G.
The forbidden experiment: the story of the wild boy of Aveyron. Shattuck R
The handbook of autism: a guide for parents and professionals. Aarons M and Gittens T
Howlin P. Autism: preparing for adulthood.
Jordan R. Autistic spectrum disorders: an introductory handbook for practitioners.
Morgan H. Adults with autism: a guide to theory and practice.
Bogdashina O. Sensory perceptual issues in autism and Asperger syndrome: different sensory experiences different perceptual worlds.
Stillman W. Demystifying the autistic experience: a humanstic introduction for parents, caregivers and educators.
Alvin J. and Warwick A. Music therapy for the autistic child.
Clements J. and Zarkowska E. Behavioural concerns and autistic spectrum disorders: explanations and strategies for change.
Fouse B. and Wheeler M. A treasure chest of behavioral strategies for individuals with autism.
Gray C. and White A.L. My social stories book.
Le Breton, M. Diet intervention and autism: implementing the gluten free and casein free diet for autistic children and adults. A practical guide for parents.
Hesmondhalgh M. Integration into work three years down the line. Communication,
Howlin P. Autism and Asperger syndrome: preparing for adulthood.
Wing L. The autistic spectrum: a guide for parents and professionals.
Attwood T. Why does Chris do that?:
Boushey A. Parent to parent: information and inspiration for parent
Williams D. Autism: an inside-out approach.
Connor M. Children on the autistic spectrum: guidelines for mainstream practice.
Jackson J. Multicolured mayhem: parenting the many shades of adolescents and children with autism, Asperger syndrome and AD/HD.
Grandin T. and Scariano M. Emergence labelled autistic.
Jackson L. Freaks, geeks and Asperger syndrome.
Lawson W. Life behind glass
Williams D. Nobody Nowhere.
Williams D. Somebody Somewhere.
Autistic Spectrum Disorders: An Introductory Handbook for Practitioners Rita Jordan
Meeting Needs of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders; Paperback Rita Jordan Glenys Jones
Teaching Children with Autism: Strategies to Enhance Communication and Socialization (Paperback) by Kathleen Ann Quill
Do-Watch-Listen-Say: Social and Communication Intervention for Children With Autism by Kathleen Ann Quill
Visual Strategies for Improving Communication : Practical Supports for School & Home by Linda A. Hodgdon
Thinking in Pictures: Autism Temple Grandin
Paul Shattock, Dawn Savery & Paul Whiteley. Autism as a Metabolic Disorder
Publications
Communication: NAS member's magazine
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice
Communication Matters