The PBS NewsHour is launching a special series of reports, both on-air and online, about a puzzling disorder that touches many lives across the U.S.: Autism Now will take a unique -- and uniquely personal -- look at how the condition impacts families, schools and communities.

see http://www.pbs.org/newshour/news/autism/

Autism Now Series: A Viewer's Guide

The PBS NewsHour is launching a special series of reports, both on-air and online, about a puzzling disorder that touches many lives across the U.S.: Autism Now will take a unique -- and uniquely personal -- look at how the condition impacts families, schools and communities.

Autism Now: Julie Fisher Extended Interview

As part of our Autism Now series, below is an extended transcript excerpt, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Julie Fisher, director of the Charter School for Autism in New York City, on treatment and schooling for children with the disorder.

Autism Now: For Adults With Autism, Few Support Options Past Age 21

Although federal law mandates educational services for children with autism, there are virtually no support services provided once they become adults. In the fifth report in his Autism Now series, Robert MacNeil profiles a young man in New Jersey -- and his family -- as they face an uncertain future for him.

Autism Now: Dr. Peter Gerhardt Extended Interview

Below is an extended transcript excerpt from the Autism Now series, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Dr. Peter Gerhardt, director of adolescent education, McCarton School, New York City, on adults with autism.

Autism Now: Bridget Taylor Extended Interview

Below is an extended transcript excerpt from the Autism Now series, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Bridget Taylor, director of the Alpine Learning Group in Alpine, N.J., on adults with autism.

Autism Now: Demand for Educational Resources for Children Outstrips Supply

For public school systems, the demand for special educational and treatment resources for children with autism often outpaces what is available. In the fourth report in his Autism Now series, Robert MacNeil looks at how two schools in the New York City area handle teaching children and teens with autism.

Autism's Causes: How Close Are We to Solving the Puzzle?

The rise in the number of reported autism cases has caused a surge in research to find the causes. For the latest thinking, Robert MacNeil speaks with four leading researchers about the issue. It's part three of the Autism Now series of reports.

Autism Now: Dr. Craig Newschaffer Extended Interview

As part of our Autism Now series, below is an extended transcript excerpt, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Dr. Craig Newschaffer, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University, on the causes of autism.

Autism Now: Dr. Martha Herbert Extended Interview

Below is an extended transcript excerpt from the Autism Now series, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Dr. Martha Herbert, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, who discussed autism's causes and appeared in the third report in the series.

Autism Now: Dr. Gerald Fishbach Extended Interview

As part of our Autism Now series, below is an extended transcript excerpt, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Dr. Gerald Fishbach, science director of the Simons Foundation in New York, on the causes of autism.

Autism Now: Dr. David Amaral Extended Interview

Below is an extended transcript excerpt from the Autism Now series, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Dr. David Amaral, research director at the MIND Institute at the University of California, Davis, on the causes of autism.

Autism Now: Join a Live Chat Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET

As part of the PBS NewsHour's ongoing Autism Now series, join us Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) for an online panel discussion, hosted by correspondent Hari Sreenivasan about the state of autism research, treatment, understanding and more.

Autism Now: Exploring the 'Phenomenal' Increase in U.S. Prevalence

In the second report in his Autism Now series, Robert MacNeil investigates why the number of children with autism is increasing in the U.S. He meets children at different points on the autism spectrum and gets several views on the increase in prevalence -- from better diagnosis to a variety of environmental factors.

Autism Now: Dr. Irva Hertz-Piccotto Extended Interview

As part of our Autism Now series of reports, below is an extended transcript excerpt, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Irva Hertz-Piccotto, chief of the division of environmental health at U.C Davis and a faculty member at the Mind Institute, on the prevalence of autism.

Autism Now: Dr. Sally Rogers Extended Interview

As part of our Autism Now series, below is an extended transcript excerpt, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Sally Rogers, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the MIND Institute, on the prevalence of autism.

Autism Now: Dr. Richard Grinker Extended Interview

As part of our Autism Now series, below is an extended transcript excerpt, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Richard Grinker, professor of anthropology at George Washington University, on the prevalence of autism.

Autism Now: Robert MacNeil Shares Grandson Nick's Story

In the first of six reports in his Autism Now series, former NewsHour anchor Robert MacNeil takes viewers on a visit with his 6-year-old grandson, Nick, to see how autism affects the whole family. Nick experiences autism not just as a brain-development disorder, but also as physical ailments affecting his whole body.

Autism Now: Dr. Timothy Buie Extended Interview

Below is an extended transcript excerpt from the Autism Now series, edited for length, relevance and clarity, with Dr. Timothy Buie, associate in pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, who examined Robert MacNeil's grandson, Nick, for gastrointestinal problems, and appeared in the first report in the series.

Autism Now: MacNeil, Lehrer Discuss 'National Emergency' Explored in Series

NewsHour founder and former anchor Robert MacNeil's six-part series on the puzzling prevalence of autism in the U.S. starts to air Monday on the PBS NewsHour. MacNeil speaks with Jim Lehrer about what's explored in the series and describes how autism has affected his family.

Meeting 'Autism's First Child'

As part of the upcoming "Autism Now" series, we asked series producer Caren Zucker to re-introduce us to the story of Donald -- the first person ever diagnosed with autism -- which she wrote about with her colleague John Donovan in the October 2010 Atlantic magazine.

Autism Diagnoses Bring Slew of Costs for Families

As part of the PBS NewsHour's Autism Now series, which begins airing on April 18, we explore some of the basics of autism, including the costs of treatment and therapy.

Autism 101 and Resources

As part of the NewsHour's Autism Now series, which begins airing on April 18, here is a guide to some of the basics on autism: what it is, how it is treated and resources to find more information.

Autism Lesson Plan: Do You Have a Friend Who Thinks in Pictures?

This lesson plan asks students to listen to facts about autism, and then design and create tools to assist their peers and friends with autism in social settings, such as the classroom or on a field trip, using what they have learned about the disorder.

Robert MacNeil Returns to NewsHour for Autism Now

For the first time in more than 15 years, Robert MacNeil is returning to the program he co-founded, with a major series of reports: Autism Now.